Lila K. and her husband live on the Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas. This is their chicken coop, built using The Garden Coop chicken coop design plans. It’s remarkable, not only for what you can see, but also for what you can’t. At least, not unless you’re looking for it.
The Garden Coop chicken coop design plan calls for a pier-on-grade foundation that works well just about anywhere. But if you need to adapt the design to suit local building codes or seasonal weather events, it’s quite flexible. Lila chose to modify the design by setting 4×4 posts at each corner of the coop and securing the frame to those.
Her primary reason for adapting the design was to give even more stability to their chicken coop, anchoring it firmly should it be buffeted by treacherous Gulf Coast weather. Aesthetically, Lila also liked the beefier look the posts gave to the frame.
She paid great attention to other details as well. She added a small window on the front, and she painted the trim, door stops, and roof structure a light green color that stands out against the natural wood tone of the frame. By doing this, she created really nice outlines that give her chicken coop a smart, finished look.
Here is Lila in her own words, along with some more pictures of her Texas chicken coop, built using The Garden Coop chicken coop plans:
We are so happy with our completed Garden Coop, as are the three pullets now residing there. The plans were fabulous — complete, detailed, and easy enough for even me to follow.
I was able to do most of the construction myself, with my husband’s help on some of the cuts and the portions that required extra hands and/or a bit more muscle. We did alter the plan a bit, though:
- We chose to set 4×4 posts at each corner.
- We used a black plastic-coated wire, salvaged from a friend.
- We did a little interior design for the “ladies” inside the hen house. So fancy-schmancy!
Everyone thinks we have the most fabulous poultry residence they have ever seen. Thanks so much for making this such a positive and fun-filled endeavor.
More pictures:
Thanks to Lila and her husband for sharing their tips and pictures of their finished chicken coop. Have you used our chicken coop plans to build a backyard coop of your own? Feel free to share any tips in the comments below, or send us an email.
9 thoughts on “Lila K.’s Texas Garden Coop Chicken Coop with Corner Posts”
Your coop is beautiful. And perfect for winter. How much would you say it cost you to build?
We’re modeling our coop after yours. Having trouble finding a stain. What brand did you use?
What do you have on the roof?
Glenda, the corrugated roofing on Lila’s coop is either a clear PVC or polycarbonate product. Home Depot carries the Palram/Suntuf brand of these.
Hi folks-
Thanks for your interest in our modifications to the Garden Coop.
We set the 4×4 posts (in concrete) first, then attached the framed walls to the posts…one of the advantages to this was that we did not need to use the concrete blocks or piers – we just made sure to align and level the bottom 2×4 on each wall when attaching to the posts. Keep in mind, the addition of the 4×4 posts added several inches to each side, which needs to be compensated for in the roof/rafters dimensions. We are so very happy with our Garden Coop, as are our “girls”! Oh!…and a word to the wise….chickens are like potato chips – you always want more! (Our original three has now grown to seven!!!)
PS, I’d also love to know the details of how you attached the 4×4 posts. I have some I could use.
Also love the way you altered the end framing (opposite the coop). Very nice.
What a beautiful job — I love the color and the details you added. Bravo! I want more pictures…
Dear Lila & DH,
Can you tell me what modifications you had to do to incorporate 4×4 posts in your coop plan? I am considering using this size post for stability purposes, also. Thank you!
Yours is our very favorite design so far….we hope ours will look a lot like it when we are done. 🙂