Page numbers in italic indicate photos or illustrations.
accessories. See enrichment
animal pests. See predators; vermin
anti-predator apron, 59–61, 60, 61
bedding, 112–14
deep-layered, 114
how it works, 113
types of, 112–13
Bonaire (tropical island), 84–87, 84
building materials. See materials
calcium, eggshells and, 32
chicken(s). See also bantams
benefits of raising, 14
chicken coop. See coop
chicken feed. See feed/food
attractiveness of, 49
eco-lodge, Caribbean, 84–87
goals and, 17
chicken manure. See compost
Chunnel (chicken tunnel), 13, 68–70, 68, 69, 70
cleanout, 111–18
bedding and, 112–14
cleanout doors, 13, 110, 110, 116, 117, 117
floors, 116–17
cookbooks, 141
coop, 19, 89. See also cleanout; doorways; ventilation
coop design, 168–187, 169. See also coop from free pallets
construction, overview of, 170–71
foundation, 171
moat for coop, 170–71
reasons to have a coop, 169–170
staging a coop, 172
coop from free pallets, 173–187
decking screws for, 173
door openings for, 184, 185, 185
floor from pallets, 174–76, 174, 175, 176
foundation for, 174–75, 174, 175
roofing, 181–195, 182, 183, 185
roosting bar, 180
staging, steps in, 172
tools and materials, 173
cord connectors, watertight, 44, 44
Corral, Chicken, 63–67, 63, 66, 67
design, 13. See also coop design
accessories, 73, 73, 127, 127, 167, 167
Deviled Eggs with Cilantro, Chilies, and Spices, 143
doorways, 13. See also gates; keeper-access door
cleanout and, 116–18, 117, 118
cleanout doors, 110, 110, 117, 117
dimensions for doors, 184
direction for opening, 91
hinges for, 91, 98–99, 98, 99, 108, 108
latches and hasps, 92, 92, 109, 109
pop door, automatic, 100–103, 100
types of doors, 90
drill sleeves, magnetic, 151, 151
Eco-lodge, Caribbean, 84–87
egg(s). See also nest box
coop and, 169
homegrown, yolk of, 14, 15, 15
Q&A about, 194–96
weekly production of, 13
eggshells, calcium and, 32
enrichment, 72–83
greens on clips, 77–78, 77, 78
playpen/isolation ward, 79–81, 79, 80
Scratch-and-Snack Bar, 74–75, 74, 75
exterior nest box. See nest box
fasteners, nest box and, 129
feeders. See gravity feeders
feed/food, 32–33. See also cricket rodeo; forage/foraging; greens
eggshells, 32
organic, 33
requirements, laying hens, 21
worm bin, in-ground, 32–33
fences/fencing, 54–59
apron, predators and, 59–61, 60, 61
chain-link, 62
Chunnel (chicken tunnel), 68–70, 68, 69, 70
Corral, Chicken, 63–67, 63, 66, 67
terminology, 55
wire fence construction, 54–59, 58, 59
floors
cleanout and, 116–18, 117, 118
coop and, 170
waterproof liner for, 116–17
Scratch-and-Snack Bar, 74–75, 74, 75
freeze-free water solution, 43–45, 43, 44, 45
gates, 93–95
fine touches for, 95
maintenance tip, 99
Not-Welcome Mat for, 96–97, 96, 97
parts of, 94
tips for, 95
GFCI outlet, 44
gravity feeders, 21–31. See also vending machine, critterproof
food drawer, bottomless, 24–26, 24, 25, 26
nursery pots as, 22–23, 22, 23
on binder clips, 77–78, 77, 78
habitat. See chicken habitat
hasps
attaching, 132
hen(s). See chickens
hen habitat. See chicken habitat
henkeeper’s door. See Keeper-Access Door
hen pen. See posts for hen pen
hinges
door, installation of, 108, 108
exterior-grade, 91
jigsaws, 129, 129, 148–49, 149, 150
Keeper-Access Door, 13, 103–9, 104
construction of, 105–7, 105, 106, 107
project notes, 103
supplies for, 104
latches
laying hens. See chicken(s)
lumber, pressure-treated, 48–49, 164, 164
lumberyards, 166
manure, chicken. See compost
materials, 160–67. See also fences/fencing; pallets
low-cost or free, 166–67
posts, rot-resistant, 165, 165
recycled and salvaged, 16, 16, 22–23, 22, 23, 59, 74, 80, 80, 166–67, 167
stains versus paints, 165
wood chips, 161
Moat, The
bird’s-eye view, 13
coop design and, 170–71
gravity feeders and, 24
mushrooms, edible, 75
nest box, 13, 122–139, 123, 124, 125–139, 125
building project, 133–39, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139
hatch, 124, 124, 125, 125, 126–27, 126, 127
height of, 128
necessities, 123–24
size of, 124
tools and materials, 129–132, 129
Not-Welcome Mat, 96–97, 96, 97
paintings, chicken, 188–193, 193
pallets, 161–63. See also coop from free pallets
checking stamps on, 163
pen. See posts for hen pen
plants, as food. See greens
playtime. See enrichment
pop door, automatic, 13, 100–103, 100
portraits, chicken, 188–193, 193
posts for hen pen, 47–53
installation of, 50–53, 51, 52, 53
spacing for, 49
tools and materials, 48–49, 48
predators, 46, 85. See also vermin
fence apron for, 59–61, 60, 61
gates and, 95
guard animals and, 141
not-welcome mat, 96–97, 96, 97
pop door and, 100
Q & A, chickens and eggs, 194–96
Rainwater Drinking Fountain, 36–42, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41
recycled materials. See materials
roofing
nest box and, 130, 130, 139, 139
roosting bars/branches, 115, 115, 180
run. See posts for hen pen
saber saws. See jigsaws
hearing and face protection, 147, 148
salvaged materials. See materials
Scratch-and-Snack Bar, 74–75, 74, 75
Stewart, Amy, 188–193, 188, 193
thermostat, 44
tools, 146–151. See also hand tools
jigsaws, 129, 129, 148–49, 149, 150
keeping them handy, 158
soft wood types and, 153
tips for, 49
tropical hen habitat, 84–87, 84
tunnel for chickens, 13, 68–70, 68, 69, 70
vacations
closing Chunnel during, 68, 68
design of compound and, 12–13, 13
vending machine, critterproof, 21, 27–31, 27
building instructions, 29–30, 29, 30
construction tips, 28
ventilation, 111–12
drafts vs., 114–16
layering the climate, 115–16, 115, 116
vermicomposting, 32–33
vermin
barrier for, 24
critterproof vending machines, 27–31, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
waste management. See cleanout; ventilation
water supply, 35
cleanliness of, 37
Drinking Fountain, Rainwater, 36–42, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41
weeds. See greens
wood chips
edible mushrooms and, 75
locating sources for, 161
Scratch-and-Snack Bar, 74–75, 74, 75
worm bin, in-ground, 32–33
