Hedwig Chicken Coop

Keeping chickens isn’t easy because they need space, preferably a retreat that feels safe and is regularly cleaned. On the other hand, inexperienced future farmers need an uncomplicated and supportive way to rear chickens properly. The Hedwig Chicken Coop is a mobile solution for up to four chicken or roosters, designed with the European Organic livestock standards in mind. Its compact form serves to provide the animals with the space they naturally need, organised in a way that is appropriate for the species’ behaviour. For a good night’s sleep, chickens naturally prefer nesting on the highest points of their environment. With that in consideration, a perch is installed as the highest element of the coop’s interior. Directly beneath, a tray for excrement covers the ground, protected by a metal grid. The rectangular geometry, combined with the use of medical-grade high-pressure-laminate panels, minimises maintenance and potential parasite-related problems. This enables the ease of cleaning and sweeping across the coop’s interior. The upper hatch on the back of the coop gives access to laid eggs from a comfortable height. For the feeding of dried fodder, a cubical granary marked by a yellow lid offsets from the exterior. Vis-à-vis, the same element serves as a miniaturised barndoor, which slides along a metal frame that also functions as a handle for moving the coop. For stability, the same material is used for the feet. Barrow wheels facilitates the repositioning of the coop, which is required regularly. The Hedwig Chicken Coop combines the aesthetic and functional elements of classic barns with cubical architecture as a way to pay tribute to traditional farming, while translating it for an urbanised world. Hedwig serves a social purpose in creating awareness and sparking conversation about the modern relationship between livestock and humans. Red Dot Award: Design Concept | Ready to Launch | Flora & Fauna