Once a purely practical structure for housing animals, the humble chicken coop has transformed into a souped-up showpiece. Thanks to a combination of pandemic-fueled homesteading, the exorbitant cost of store-bought eggs and a social media–influenced effort to make all things “aesthetic,” keeping chickens is now as much about style as it is about self-sufficiency. These days, these luxury chicken coops — once sequestered to the private yards of high-end homes — have taken the wider world by storm.
Lisa Steele is a fifth-generation chicken keeper in Maine and author of the Fresh Eggs Daily cookbook. “As a kid, I was kind of embarrassed that we lived on a farm and raised chickens,” she says. “Then, as an adult, I realized that chickens had become a status symbol; there was a sort of snob appeal to saying you raised chickens, which is weird because you don’t need a ton of land to raise a small flock.”
Of course, behind the glitz and glam, the desire to raise chickens is also about connecting to nature and food in a way that’s missing from modern life. Alysha Whitfield, creator and designer of Bee Jeweled Coop, has seen this firsthand. “Welcoming chickens into your backyard is somewhat of an awakening,” she says, explaining that her clients inevitably discover a newfound respect for the humble hen after installing one of her couture coops.
Bee Jeweled Coops serves clients seeking beautifully designed yet easy-to-maintain coops for suburban and urban backyards. She was among the first to capitalize on the demographic shift of chicken keeping. Of course, with this shift came a change in design preferences. Bee Jeweled Coops often feature unexpected luxuries — think crystal chandeliers and custom signage. “The most popular feature our customers incorporate is the wallpapered back wall,” says Whitfield. “This detail is both beautiful and practical, and allows you to add a unique style while making cleaning much easier, thanks to the slick surface it creates over an otherwise textured wall.”
Photography provided by Bee Jeweled Coops
Designer coops may also encourage better animal husbandry. “I think the more you like your coop, the more time you’ll spend there with your chickens and cleaning the coop, which is better for chicken health,” Steele explains. Their spaces can also serve as unique gathering areas. Kathy Vegh Hughes, the founder of Ohio-based Cutest Coops, designed her first coop for personal use, but quickly realized its broader appeal. “We’ve hosted outdoor dinner and cocktail parties near the coop, and have even had the kids’ craft playdates inside of it (on the people’s side, of course),” she says. In the end, the best coop isn’t just one that looks good — it’s one that keeps both owners and animals happy and healthy.
Perhaps the ultimate example of fowl-home finery is one Hamptons homeowner’s “chicken basilica,” designed by acclaimed architect Pietro Cicognani. With soaring, intersecting ellipses, intricate architectural detail and a skylight reminiscent of a chapel, the coop (if you can even call it that) is a fusion of classical design and whimsical luxury — an avian sanctuary that rivals the elegance of a grand estate. It’s an appropriate home for a very special flock, as this particular client happens to be a collector of rare, heritage-breed hens. Cicognani fondly recalls the flock as his favorite clients “because they can’t complain about anything!” he laughs.
On social feeds, a souped-up coop will quickly rack up hearts and gushing comments. But in the affluent communities where Cicognani works, neighbors engage in a quieter competition to one-up one another’s chicken mansions. “There’s a kind of ‘chicken war’ to see who can outdo the other,” comments Cicognani, who is already at work on his next chicken coop design for an undisclosed celebrity client.
Photography by Francesco Lagnese / OTTO
While luxury coops have visual appeal, experts stress that functionality should not be overlooked. Maurice Pitesky, MD, a poultry health and food safety epidemiologist at University of California, Davis, emphasizes the importance of reducing health risks, especially given renewed concerns over avian bird flu. “Make sure to wear personal protective gear, don’t bring chickens inside, don’t stick your face next to them and kiss them, and don’t let them walk around your kitchen as you see on social media,” he says.
Pitesky also warns against unnecessary heating elements. “Chickens are incredibly cold hardy,” he says. “They will be fine in very low temps without any heat.” While they may not mind the cold, they do mind the wind, so Pitesky recommends a well-ventilated yet draft-free space to keep the flock comfortable year-round.
As these homes become more extravagant, the perception of chickens themselves is shifting. “Chickens have transitioned from livestock to luxury pets,” says Vegh Hughes from Cutest Coops, “and they’ve also introduced people to the idea of other pet ownership. The majority of our clients start with chickens but end up owning other animals such as goats, ducks or horses.” She explains how chicken keeping fosters a more present and conscious way of living that is in direct opposition to daily societal stressors like screen time and alarming news cycles, “so it is no surprise that it’s gaining popularity!”
Whether viewed as an investment in style, self-sufficiency or slow living, luxury chicken coops are here to stay. And for many, that first egg — no matter how costly — ends up being truly priceless.
