🏝️ The Coop with Holiday Vibes: Our Chook House Glow-Up

When we set out to make our chicken coop warmer, cosier, and a bit easier on the eyes, we didn’t expect to give it full-on tropical holiday resort vibes... but here we are.

We’ve officially given our chooks the flashest pad on the block - complete with a thatched roof straight out of Rarotonga. 🐔🌴

Why the thatch?

We wanted something that was both functional and fancy-looking. While tossing around ideas (some wild, some wonderful), we landed on this thatched mat — made from synthetic grass, but you wouldn’t know it. It adds:

• ✅ Extra waterproofing

• ✅ A bit of heat retention

• ✅ A whole lot of “Look at me, I’m on holiday”

We even added a thatched curtain to the front, which gives our girls easy in-and-out access while keeping things snug and shaded. No more muddy flaps or clunky doors — just a breezy entrance that’s pure chicken luxury.

A coop with a past life

Fun fact: our coop wasn’t always a coop. It used to house a swimming pool pump - talk about a glow-up. It’s a solid little brick unit, and with a lick of paint inside and out, it’s now waterproof, mould-resistant, and way cuter than any pool shed has the right to be.

What’s underfoot?

We laid an old pallet down as the floor, then built a kind of tray using cardboard to keep everything tidy. On top, we added a generous layer of soft shavings - perfect for scratching, nesting, and the occasional chicken nap. 😴

The verdict from the flock

The girls love it. They strut in and out of their tropical bungalow like they’re living their best free-range lives - and honestly, we reckon they are.

Stay tuned for more backyard chook updates. In the meantime, if your hens deserve a resort upgrade, check out the thatched mat we used here.