Vice President JD Vance has installed a custom chicken coop at his official Naval Observatory residence in Washington, complete with a dozen baby chicks housed in a structure designed to mirror the Victorian home where the second family resides.
The henhouse, featuring a circular turret and artificial slate roofing, was provided by Carolina Coops, a North Carolina business that markets high-end coops and has built a substantial social media presence. Company owner and founder Matthew DuBoise confirmed the custom structure was finished on May 29.
“It’s something I thought was amazing to do for this country,” DuBoise explained during an interview. “It’s a place of history and a place of significance.”
According to a source familiar with the project who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, no taxpayer funds were used for the coop’s construction. The same source revealed that the residence held a family gathering this past weekend where local 4-H students educated other children about the newly constructed coop.
Since 1977, vice presidents have made the 72-acre Naval Observatory grounds their home, with many leaving personal touches on the property. Joe Biden established a heritage garden, Mike Pence’s wife, Karen, introduced beehives, and Kamala Harris made updates including pink wallpaper in the house’s library. Dan Quayle installed a heated swimming pool on the premises in 1991.
Backyard chicken keeping has experienced renewed popularity in American households recently. According to a 2025 American Pet Products Association survey, 11 million U.S. households now keep chickens.
The Daily Wire initially broke the story about Vance’s new coop.
During his 2024 campaign appearances, Vance frequently referenced expensive egg prices as evidence of inflation he attributed to then-President Joe Biden. Vance would joke about his two young sons’ egg consumption, once claiming they “eat about 14 eggs every single morning.”
DuBoise explained that he instructed his team to create a custom design the Vances would adore. His designer took cues from the 19th century home, incorporating its circular turret and green accents.
As the finishing touch, Vance and his family selected 12 chicks to begin their flock, DuBoise noted.
DuBoise characterized having his business selected for the project as an “American dream” experience. He supervised the installation process and provided guidance to Vance, his wife, Usha, and their children. According to DuBoise, when Vance first saw the completed coop, the vice president’s expression showed pure delight.
“I couldn’t have been happier to see that excitement,” he said. “They’re just very, very happy, and I’m glad.”
