Whether its urban farming or backyard chickens, there’s a movement afloat to raise and grow food locally and organically.  If you’re interested in running a chicken coop — and speaking from personal experience, it’s not easy — you might have a look at the Modern Coop by John Wright.  His stylish, sporty coop is made with reclaimed cedar, and it’s mobile, so you can move it around every couple weeks.  The standard roof is a translucent fiberglass or durable metal, but you can opt for the green roof version, too.

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I’ve had the opportunity to keep in regular contact with Rob Pyatt (e.g., 1940s Boxhouse and Pinon House), principal of Pyatt Studio, and his work with Urban Hens is really taking off right now.  The Urban Hens Project is meant to develop a sustainable, closed-loop model for establishing chickens in urban settings.  Hens provide eggs, they eat kitchen and garden scraps, and if you’re really hard core, they’ll become a fine little dinner.  Check out these modern, Quonset hut-inspired chicken coops:

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