When you think of New York City, you might picture the dazzling skyline, the yellow cabs and the endless rush of people. What you probably do not imagine is chickens. Yet here at Crosby Street Hotel, we love to surprise and our brand new rooftop chicken coop is one of our most unexpected delights.
High above the hustle and bustle of SoHo, our hens live in a beautifully crafted coop, complete with timber framing, colourful paintwork and cosy nesting boxes. It is as stylish as any of our interiors, just scaled down for our feathered friends. Each hen has her own personality and yes, her own name. They share their rooftop home with flourishing herbs and a beautiful array of seasonal flowers, creating a little oasis above the city.
Looking after them is our very own Chef Ari, who makes sure the hens are happy, healthy and living their best rooftop life. He is already preparing to welcome some more furry friends to join them soon.
Liberty is an Araucana from Chile, known for her beautiful blue-shelled eggs, naturally higher in nutrition and lower in cholesterol. At eight years old, she is nearing the upper end of her breed’s lifespan of 10 to 12 years. A little shy at first, she still likes to keep close by.
Strawberry is a Golden Comet, a gentle and prolific egg-layer. At nearly four years old, she lives up to her friendly nature, happily greeting visitors and enjoying being held.
The chicken coop is a reminder that even in the heart of Manhattan, nature and design can meet in the most surprising ways. It is part of the secret life of the hotel, a quiet rhythm of clucks, blooms and rustling feathers above the city streets, making Crosby Street Hotel feel like home not just for our guests, but for a few very chic chickens too.
If you have chickens or an amazing coop, please tag us @kitkempdesignthread, as we would love to see them.