As construction on Lot #2 pushes to completion this month, the question of where to create the new home for Matt & Ann Marie’s rooster and ten laying hens became pressing this week. With the help of a friend from Paraíso, they came up with a design for a new coop that would keep the hens safely in at night – and predators out.

The general design is that of an over-sized birdhouse, with two small entries, a high-peaked roof to prevent rogue perching, slats for ventilation, and a hinged back-side for easy cleaning and fertilizer collection.

Closeup of the stair-step perches inside.

Almost all of the materials are left over from the house construction project, including the zinc roofing sheets, small cuts of teak siding, and various pochote and gmelina pieces. Hats-off to this creative repurposing. You’ll know where to stop in Pueblo Verde for fresh eggs – just look for the birdhouse!

The coop had to be placed on the supports prior to completion or it would be too heavy to move.