Mr Morrison posted several images of himself building the coop on Sunday, claiming his wife and daughters would “call it Lodge Ladies and name some of their chicks after former PM’s wives who lived at The Lodge.”
“Jen and the girls have been keen for chickens for some time. The other night she finally just decided to order a chicken coop online. It was delivered yesterday and my weekend task today was decided,” Mr Morrison wrote.
“Next step is to get some chickens,” he added.
Not long after Mr Morrison had posted the images, a lawyer on Twitter claimed that he may have broken NSW laws by building the coop on heritage ground.
However, a spokesperson for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet told The Feed the coop was built by Mr Morrison at The Lodge in Canberra -- not in Kirribilli House in NSW.
Both homes are listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
“The structure in question is freestanding on the grounds of The Lodge, away from the main buildings, and does not have any bearing on the heritage listing of the property," the spokesperson told The Feed.
I have just gotten confirmation from the PM's office that the chicken coop was built at The Lodge in Canberra NOT Kirribilli. #chickengate https://t.co/FK8sIsqfzh
The chicken coop brought up mixed feelings for Australians online.
Some said it was a “PR stunt” and that naming the chickens after former Prime Minister’s wives was “sexist”. While others joked that the chickens would fall victim to Mr Morrison’s next curry or complained the coop was not fox proof.
“This may very well be the Coup d'état we had to have,” one person joked on Twitter.
“The backbench are already working out how to sneak in through the backdoor to steal the eggs,” another user wrote.
While some were unimpressed by the Prime Minister’s efforts, many of his supporters left comments praising the coop.
“An everyday bloke, who’s doing a very good job,” one person wrote on Instagram.
“Building nations and coops,” added another.
“On ya Scotty.”
