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Reinventing The Chicken Coop: 14 Original Designs With Step-By-Step Building Instructions Paperback – Illustrated, 30 Jan. 2013
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length192 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherStorey
- Publication date30 Jan. 2013
- Dimensions22.99 x 1.52 x 25.4 cm
- ISBN-101603429808
- ISBN-13978-1603429801
Product description
Review
"Their care shows. The book is easy to read, and illustrations offer insight into egg access doors, cantilevered nesting boxes, worm compost bins and rooftop vegetable gardens."
--California College of the Arts"All 14 designs are architectural wonders of reductive space and ample imagination."
--Gail Damerow, author of Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens"Bay area artisans Wolpe and McElroy ... dish the complete scoop on the coop for those just starting the yard-chicken journey or for experienced woodcrafters longing to bring chickens to their back-porch scene."
--Los Angeles Times"Splendid illustrations, both drawings and photographs, provide a sort of virtual tour of more than a dozen interesting and unusual coops without leaving home. Some are simple, some are elaborate, a few are downright extraordinary, and most have innovative features that could be incorporated into any design. ... has the feel of an Architectural Digest for chicken people."
--Novella Carpenter, Author of Farm City"Hey backyard chickens: meet contemporary design!"
Book Description
From the Back Cover
Why settle for functional when you can have fabulous?
Your backyard chickens need a coop to call home, and you want a structure that not only keeps your hens safe and comfortable but also looks great. You'll be delighted by this collection of 14 contemporary designs, including the simple Chick-in-a-Box, a Modern Log Cabin, the multi-use Kippen House Garden Roof Chicken Coop, and the intriguing Coopsicle. Choose the one that's perfect for your home and yard and then build it yourself with the complete step-by-step instructions. Your chickens will love it, and you'll love what the structure adds to your property!
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Storey
- Publication date : 30 Jan. 2013
- Edition : Illustrated
- Language : English
- Print length : 192 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1603429808
- ISBN-13 : 978-1603429801
- Item weight : 658 g
- Dimensions : 22.99 x 1.52 x 25.4 cm
- Customer reviews:
About the authors
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers appreciate the book's designs, with one noting the gorgeous pictures of finished coops. They find the book interesting and inspirational.
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Customers appreciate the designs of the chicken coops, with one customer noting that the pictures of the finished coops are gorgeous.
"...and some of the coops wouldn't suit a British winter but still a good read." Read more
"Lots of really good ideas we used it as a basis to design and build our own coop having never done anything like this before. The chickens love it!" Read more
"...All the designs are sturdy and well thought out. And your chickens will certainly have somewhere unique to live!" Read more
"The instructions are very clear. The designs themselves are terrific. The chickens will be living better than us...." Read more
Customers find the book inspirational, with one mentioning it provides plenty of idea inspiration.
"Some great ideas, interesting book, Americanized and some of the coops wouldn't suit a British winter but still a good read." Read more
"...Not a book of useable designs. Idea inspiration aplenty but not really a “how to” book. I am pleased with this purchase and was not disappointed." Read more
"...to make a chicken coop for yourself or for someone else, this book is inspirational...." Read more
"I haven't read it but my husband has. He says it is very interesting and will probably use some of the information. +++++++++++++" Read more
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 February 2014Some great ideas, interesting book, Americanized and some of the coops wouldn't suit a British winter but still a good read.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 August 2014Lots of really good ideas we used it as a basis to design and build our own coop having never done anything like this before. The chickens love it!
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 August 2020More a book of reviews of unusual coops. Not a book of useable designs. Idea inspiration aplenty but not really a “how to” book. I am pleased with this purchase and was not disappointed.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 March 2013If you want to make a chicken coop for yourself or for someone else, this book is inspirational. There are some great designs, which you can use directly or adapt. The cutting lists and instructions are very clear, and the assembly diagrams show just how everything fits together. The pictures of the finished coops are gorgeous.
If you're a chicken-keeper but not an experienced woodworker, there's an introductory chapter explaining just how to go about things.
If I lived in sunny California where the book was written, I'd give it five stars without hesitation. But because I live in damper and cooler Britain, I'm going to knock one star off. Many of the coops are over-ventilated for the UK climate. It's easy enough to adapt the designs, but be aware. There are also some designs where it might be better to use shiplap rather than plywood for longevity.
My only other (minor) criticism is that you also need to be aware of the type of chickens that are to be housed. Some of the designs, especially the two-storey ones, are really best suited to bantams, and certainly wouldn't work for large fowl. The book doesn't really highlight this consideration.
But don't let the negatives put you off. All the designs are sturdy and well thought out. And your chickens will certainly have somewhere unique to live!
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 December 2013The instructions are very clear. The designs themselves are terrific. The chickens will be living better than us. I particularly like the one with the planter/green roof.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 August 2015It did not work for me. Sent it back
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 September 2014This book inspires you to think " outside the box" .
Prompt and very good service, as described.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 January 2015Certainly gives great ideas for alternative coops
Top reviews from other countries
- Stewart JackReviewed in Canada on 15 May 2014
1.0 out of 5 stars Not exactly as publised
This was a real waste of money. There are no "plans" but some examples of very poorly designed chicken coops.
- A. CurtisReviewed in the United States on 11 April 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book with very detailed instructions
I love this book--the coops are works of art. I really wish that I could build a coop like the one pictured on the cover but the open roof (I just realized it might have an inner roof or could be adapted) because it's both really clever and perfectly functional. Sadly, it would be nicer than my tiny house! I covet nearly all the designs and might build the pallet one down the road. (This is my first year for chickens.) I think because the designers live in California, most of the coops are made for warmer climates. I need insulation so I'll be going with the standard coop which also has nice lines. The book gives a lot of information on intermediate woodworking techniques which is helpful for more than just learning to build a coop. All of the designs come with complete building material lists and clear instructions and drawings. I bought the Kindle version because I thought it would suffice and I was trying to be tricky and use up every last dime of a gift card, but I wish that I had the print version. It will be easy enough to just print out the pages I need for working but do consider the hard copy; it's very handsome. I've been shopping for awhile for just the right book, and as far as I'm concerned, this is it.
- Cara DouglasReviewed in Australia on 18 November 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Great book!
- DReviewed in the United States on 30 January 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Creative AND Practical!
This is a great practical guide to some really creative coop designs. The designs are more than your standard coops and are really creative while still being functional. For those backyard chicken farms who wants a 'cool' look in their yard that won't be an eyesore, this is right on the money. Designs are categorized by degree of difficulty, which is a very helpful feature for first time builders. My family has owned backyard chickens for years and we are currently building our third coop. I was never quite satisfied with our previous efforts from an aesthetic point of view. Seeing the samples in this book has really opened up my eyes - I can see the quality and functionality for real, live chickens while still having a nice look.
- LarryReviewed in the United States on 4 March 2013
3.0 out of 5 stars Good book on chicken coops
This was a decent book on how to build chicken coops. It has 14 designs to choose from, and they all have something for everyone. It was a bit hard for me to even decide on which design to go with. But, in all honesty, I think i could have gone without this book. I mean, dont get me wrong, its a good book, but its limited on the fact that it only has a handful of concepts to base your design on. Sure, you can modify any of these designs to your liking, as I am doing, but I wouldnt keep this book for the long run. I feel I could have found designs that were just as good if I did a bit of searching online. I should have done that, but I gave this book a chance.
If your a DIY person, have basic carpentry skills, and want to build a proven coop, then you should get this book. But remember, there are only 14 designs to choose from. Be ready to not like any of them. As for me, I liked every coop in some way, but ended up modifying my own by mixing certain things I liked from all the coops in this book. But you will do just fine by doing a google search.
Do I recommend this book? Yes and No. Im stuck in the middle, 50/50. Good designs, but could have included more. Ill probably end up selling my copy. If you can rent or borrow this book, DO IT! Much better than purchasing it.