This blog? It’s a behind-the-scenes of our latest chicken coop makeover🐔✨.
Because plants aren’t the only thing growing in my garden — even the chickens need a glow up.
How gardening found me
Someone once asked how I got into gardening.
The truth?
Marriage got me into it.
Funny how love makes you plant roots. Literally. 🌿💍
Here’s how gardening found my family…
My hubs Dante + I were walking a property with my gma in 2019.
Watching her inspired us to start.
The coolest thing about gardening?
It didn’t just change my yard.
Gardening shifted something inside of me.
🤏🏼 I’m healthier.
🤏🏼 Happier.
But that’s not all.
Gardening is shaping my family too.
The elder child
Just last week, I reminded my oldest to take breaks and look outside. Because science says nature helps our minds.
A few days later, I caught them staring out a door saying, we have a really nice yard.
The youngest
Two days ago, the youngest told me the yard was giving fall vibes — and they like it.
The middle child
And just today…
The middle child said, you know what animal you should check out?
Cows? All because they’re learning about business and the agricultural industry in school. Nope. ❌🐮
My husband
Then there’s my husband—the papa of our family.
He’s from the city. 🏙️
But loves our North Carolina home.
Need I remind you?
Getting chickens was his idea. 🐔
From Surprise Shed to Chicken Coop: My Unexpected Journey Into Raising Chickens
Planting + building
These days, I often catch my husband:
🚶🏽♂️ walking around outside,
🪑 sitting in our garden,
🔨 or working to shape our house into a home.
Dante + I finished two big projects!
In September, we got lots done…
1️⃣ Planting trees, shrubs, and flowers.
2️⃣ Building upgrades for our second chicken coop.
I’ll share about the coop in this blog!
But back to our September projects…
The day after, I woke up sore—like I’d been in the ring with a two-time world champ. 🥊💥
But I didn’t have to get up and lift a finger. 💅🏼
Because my husband was already outside, tending to the chickens and watering some freshly planted garden additions.
(New plants need extra care at first!)
Later that day, I caught my husband staring out the window whispering, this is beautiful.
That’s why I say gardening changed my life.
The Coop Glow Up 🛠
Now let’s get into one of those projects we worked on last week.
We recently got a new smaller coop.
Why? Because the flock wasn’t vibing 😅.
A few of our chicks just weren’t getting along, and instead of stressing everyone out, we made space.
✨ Second coop = less drama, more peace.
✨ Everyone’s got room to thrive.
✨ And it gives us flexibility down the road for sick, broody, or younger birds.
Here’s how the glow up came together:
Step 1: Gather the goods — every glow up starts small 🔩✨
Step 2: Move the coop — we got a second coop for more peace ✌🏽🐥
Step 3: Fresh foundation — level with sand, add hardware cloth + pavers
Step 4: The custom base — see this picture? Those corner studs don’t stay there. Dante adjusted the corner studs so the coop’s feet could slide in + lock 🛠 (updates in step 5 pic)! I love that he thought to do this AND pivoted away from my initial idea. ‘Cause hubby’s slide-and-lock idea was way better!
Step 5: The throne — our second coop is secure + steady 🙌🏽 … progress feels SO good.
Seeing the coop sturdy on its new base is such a win.
There’s still more work ahead,
but even these small steps forward
echo the same lesson
my garden keeps showing me:
— glow ups take time!!
And honestly?
That’s the story of our gardens—and my life. 🌱✨
(For anyone wondering… the small coop is Producer’s Pride Cottage Coop from Tractor Supply—though I don’t think it’s sold anymore.)
What’s Left on This Project 🐓
Like most DIY projects…
There’s still a to-do list before this glow up is complete:
- Replace the chicken door.
I scored the coop at Tractor Supply for half off. I’m not sure how long it sat outside, but the weather definitely left its mark. The front sliding chicken door warped—probably from rain—which makes it tough to open and close. First order of business: a new door. - Protect it with Outdoor Defense Oil.
Next up, I’ll paint the whole coop with Outdoor Defense Oil by The Real MilkPaint to keep mold from showing up like it did in our big coop. Learned my lesson from that moldy situation: Why Skipping Steps Could Cost More) - Build a predator-proof run.
This is a big one: creating an enclosed run that attaches to the small coop. It’ll give our chickens safe outdoor space, without me stressing about hawks or critters that can hurt ’em.
Once those things are done?
That’s when the fun begins—I get to landscape around their little chicken houses. 🌸
And you already know I’m excited about that!
Yep, it’s a lot. *nervous giggle* 😅😅
But honestly, that’s the beauty of these projects:
Step by step → little by little,
we build something beautiful
— and functional for our family,
our funny flock and our future!!!
That’s all for now.
Drop a comment —
I’d love to hear from you. ♡♡♡
Hi, I’m LOLA ⸻ the creator of offbeat life advice brand, The Smoking Prophet, owner of a growing content agency, and cultivator of life (family first)!
Most days, you can find me at my desk, in my garden, or on the go. My super-social family keeps me on my toes!
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1 Comment
Angela · at
This is such a good idea! We had a coop like that, and I always thought it was a bit flimsy but it worked for a whole year before falling apart 🤣 you guys weathering it should help it last. I wish I did that!