In addition to always wanting a small studio/playhouse/garden cottage in the back yard, another outdoor adornment I’ve always recently wanted (in the sense that I’ve given it some thought) is a chicken coop. Wouldn’t it be great to wander out your back door and pick up fresh eggs?
These images from this post on Velvet & Linen got me thinking about having your own coop. This particular coop is on the grounds of a beautiful home owned by Penelope Bianchi. Read more HERE. Don’t be surprised if you get lost in the beauty of this home—the chicken coop is nothing compared to the rest of the grounds. Brooke of Velvet & Linen takes you on an amazing tour of the Bianchi home in Santa Barbara (complete with chicken coop).
Ahhh, mommy chicken with her chicks.
I’ve seen several magazine articles on the trend and if it weren’t for the fact that our fair city will NOT allow chickens and/or livestock of any kind (except where zoned which as far as I can tell is NO WHERE in my city), I’d have a couple of hens roaming my backyard.
These little chickens won my heart in Austin's Eastside Cafe
When I visited Austin, Texas earlier this year, I was treated to lunch at a wonderful restaurant that had a bit of land planted with vegetables and herbs as well as a chicken coop filled with many varieties of chickens.
In this feature in Country Living Eleanor Mondale has a chandelier in her kitchen coop. Now that’s my idea of style!
Doesn't this look like fun...cute chickens and chandelier in your chicken coop!
{images courtesy of Country Living}
The Mondale farm even has a pet miniature pony...I've always wanted a pony. {kidding}
Martha Stewart even hosted a show where guests brought their chickens with them to the show—I didn’t see it but wondered what kind of havoc that would have created.
Chickens seem to come in a variety of colors, even the eggs.
A neighbor and former kindergarten teacher at the local elementary school used to have a couple of hens she had obtained by way of one of her class lessons. In the spring the class would follow the progress of eggs in an incubator. Once they hatched the teacher would keep a couple of the chicks. She said they (chickens did a great job of keeping the snail and slug population in check). Unfortunately, the city made her get rid of the chicks.
Maybe I’m naïve but the southern California girl wouldn’t mind living on a farm! Is it like wishing for snow—honey, you don’t even know how much work farming is!
What will I want next…
{image courtesy of Pioneer Woman}
Do any of you have your own chicken coop?
Garden, Home & Party 
Linda Coble said:
Karen,
Our friends Art and Suzane recently had a chicken coop built and it’s stocked with 37 chickens — all various types. It’s amazing! I can’t wait for you to see it on your next visit. The chickens are pretty noisy but so far no complaints from neighbors!
Karen said:
Linda,
Lucky Art and Suzane…are they getting some great eggs from their chickens? Do you have to have a rooster if you want eggs?:-)
Karen
Ann said:
I’m so behind on my blog reading – been traveling but taking a little time to catch up. The only thing I like about chickens is the wee little babies and painting eggs LOL! Where I grew up there were tons of chickens and for a while my grandparents had a coop. But this chicky won’t be having a coop anytime soon LOL! I don’t eat eggs. I think I’m the only one of my friends that doesn’t eat them. However, I love the post…!
Karen said:
Ann,
So glad you’re home! Ha, ha, I thought it might be a case of my fantasy for a coop not being full vetted in reality…kind of like when I wish it would snow! Being a SoCal born and raised has sheltered me—like growing up in Fantasyland! LOL
Hope you can post soon—I always enjoy what you have to say.
Karen