There is nothing quite like stepping outside and being greeted by the rustic charm of a cozy backyard with a delightful chicken coop. A functional and cozy backyard can be very therapeutic. Chickens are also adorable little entertainers who can be productive with their eggs and meat.
But where do you start? It’s not just about tossing some straw in the backyard and building a coop. Here are the biggest tips on transforming your backyard into a relaxing retreat with chickens.
1. Get a Fun Chicken Breed
Chickens will be the stars of your cozy backyard. Picking the right breed is vital not just for their looks and personality but also for the color of the eggs they will bless you with. Let’s face it. Multi-colored egg baskets are what farmhouse dreams are all about.
The olive egger chicken is the perfect choice. Here are the biggest reasons why these unique green shell chickens are ideal for cozy backyard setups:
- Gorgeous Eggs: As their name suggests, olive eggers lay stunning olive-green eggs, adding a pop of color to your daily haul. It’s farmhouse style in a basket!
- Personality: Olive eggers are friendly and hardy, making them manageable and ideal for beginner chicken owners.
- Unique Look: These birds look as interesting as their eggs and personalities, coming in a range of feather colors.
When you have these beauties in your cozy setup, you will be spending your mornings marveling at their uniquely colored eggs, active temperament, and vibrant feathers.
2. Plan Your Space Like a Cozy Veteran
Before you get excited about chickens galore, consider your space and how you will incorporate chickens into it. Do you have a snug, intimate space filled with twinkling lights or a sprawling garden with soft pathways?
Chickens need room to roam, peck around, and stretch their feathery wings. Here are some quick tips on planning your space for peak functionality and aesthetics:
- Coop Placement: Place the chicken coop in a sunny spot in your backyard, but make sure there is also some shade.
- Pathways: Add little walking paths using stones or wood chips to make your backyard easier to maintain and look cute.
- Verticality: Get that extra farmhouse flair with hanging flower pots, vertical vegetable gardens, and quaint herb walls.
The idea is to seamlessly blend the coop into your backyard without losing the cozy factor.
3. Choose a Charming Coop Design
You can’t talk about coziness without mentioning coop design. Yes, the chicken coop should be functional. But this doesn’t mean it should be boring. It can be a showstopper. Imagine a rustic look with distressed wood accents, soft pastels, or even a weathered barn style. Whether you are DIY-savvy or just buying something pre-made, make sure the coop has personality.
To achieve that cozy farmhouse aesthetic, go for a design with:
- Reclaimed Wood Siding: This gives a rustic, lived-in vibe that is perfect for adding coziness to any setup.
- Sloped Roofs: They reflect the classic barn roof and keep rainwater away, so they are also functional additions.
- Decorative Touches: Add signs such as “Hen Hotel” for more quirky charm. Tiny windows with shutters are also great additions.
You are not the only one who can appreciate the charming designs. Your neighbors, visitors, and chickens can enjoy them too.
| Keep Predators in Check: Charming coop designs are great, but don’t sacrifice safety just for charm. Predators can dig under fences and walls. Bury 1-2 ft, L-shaped footer of welded wire around the perimeter of all enclosures. Use 1/4″ welded wire hardware cloth to cover coops and run openings. |
4. Combine Charm and Comfort for a Homey Nesting Area
You like a comfortable little reading nook. Chickens are not that different. They also want a comfortable and peaceful spot to lay their eggs and do their business. You don’t need to overthink this. Combine the charm you already have with a bit of comfort, and your design will already go a long way. Here are some tips:
- Supportive Bedding: Think soft straw, cleaned regularly. Keep it straightforward.
- Nesting Boxes: Wooden boxes reminiscent of apple crates bring a touch of farmhouse flair to your coop.
- Quiet Spaces: Put the nesting boxes in calm, relatively dark parts of the coop. Like you, chickens love their privacy.
With this setup, your chickens, especially the hens, will feel pampered. But don’t think your olive eggers will start laying golden eggs just because they are super comfortable!
5. Add Farmhouse-Inspired Landscaping
Everyone loves a fresh and inviting backyard. For a relaxing vibe, surround your chicken coop with picturesque landscaping. Tie the whole space together to snap Instagrammable pictures and unwind in your own private space. Here are some landscaping ideas:
- Flower Beds or Herb Gardens: Charming flowers such as daisies and marigolds give your chickens their own perennial VIP garden, while plants such as lavender and thyme are beautiful and naturally pest-controlling.
- Pavers or Wood Chips: Well-maintained paths of pea gravel or wood shavings keep your chicken run looking fresh.
- Rustic Seating: Repurposed wood benches add a cozy vibe. Sit back and soak in all that farmhouse bliss.
Your chickens will be thriving in beauty while you are enjoying your own personal escape.
| Natural Pest Control: If you don’t want to use plants for natural pest control, you can try essential oils. Lavender essential oil, for instance, can help repel insects in your backyard. This helps keep you and your chickens safe from ants and other unwanted visitors. |
6. Use Soft Lights for Ambience
Nothing says “ultimate farmhouse vibe” quite like the soft glow of evening lights casting a warm, inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re building the farmhouse escape of your dreams or simply creating a gathering spot for your friends or family, the right ambiance allows your outdoor space to transition seamlessly from day to night.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to create these magical moments. Get that cozy backyard vibes you are dreaming of with these lights:
- String Lights: String these around the chicken coop or between trees to create a warm sunset ambiance.
- Lanterns: Add a few solar-powered lanterns beside the chicken coop and along the path to illuminate the area at night.
- Outdoor Candles: Put citronella candles in mason jars to improve the rustic vibe and help keep your backyard bug-free.
When done right, lighting makes all the difference in the world. With proper lighting, you can create a cozy backyard with chickens and a serene nighttime escape.
A Dreamy Retreat Right in Your Backyard
Creating a cozy backyard with a chicken coop doesn’t just help your feathered friends thrive. It also gives you a dreamy retreat to enjoy the simple things in life. From selecting fun chicken breeds to adding ambient lighting, these tips will help you create the ultimate backyard setup in no time.
Grab yourself a cup of tea, put your feet up on your cozy bench, and watch your lively chickens peck around. Life couldn’t get any cozier!