LINCOLN PARK — Within minutes of seeing a graphic about keeping chickens in Chicago, Fremont Street resident Caroline Mercer had forwarded it to her architect with the message, “Can we make this feel less agricultural?”
By Thursday, the proposed coop had a standing-seam roof, unlacquered brass hardware and a mudroom larger than the kitchen in Caroline’s first apartment. The architect had removed the word “coop” from the drawings after it tested poorly with her husband, who works in private equity and was concerned about resale.
They are calling it the Carriage House.
“We’ve wanted the kids to understand where food comes from,” Caroline said. “They think eggs come from Whole Foods. Which, until the contractor finishes, they will.”
Caroline initially planned to get four hens. After learning that a woman two blocks over already had six, she revised the number to eight and told her husband the additional birds were important for biodiversity.
Breeds remain under discussion. One lays blue eggs, which Caroline likes, although she would prefer a warmer blue. Another has feathered feet that her interior designer described as “a little much.” A perfectly serviceable brown hen was eliminated because it looked like a chicken.
The kids have been calling one of the hens Chicken Nugget. Caroline is hoping it doesn’t stick.
Meanwhile, egg distribution has become delicate. Caroline promised a dozen to her Pilates instructor before realizing that the hens had not yet been ordered and that several friends had interpreted a heart reaction as a firm allocation.
She has since clarified that the initial offering is friends and family, with priority given to households that supported the project before it appeared on Instagram.
“I don’t want this to turn into a thing,” she said, opening a spreadsheet titled Founding Dozen.
Her next-door neighbor, who had been supportive when the proposal was described as a small garden structure, has asked whether the hens will smell. Caroline sent him a link to the cedar siding.
Her husband has asked whether any of this will save money. The contractor estimates that the first egg should cost approximately $31,000, excluding the egg.
Caroline considers that an unfair way to look at it. The project includes outdoor lighting.
On Saturday, she visited Green City Market to discuss feed with someone knowledgeable, then returned home with flowers and a mushroom tart. Feed has been added to the architect’s list.
The Carriage House is expected to be ready in spring. In the meantime, Caroline has hired a photographer to document the family’s return to simpler living.
The session is scheduled for Tuesday. The chickens will be added in post.