Review: 60344 Chicken Henhouse
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO introduced the enjoyable Farm subtheme during 2009, although subsequent farming sets have proven remarkably scarce. Thankfully, they are back this summer and include the attractive 60344 Chicken Henhouse, containing new dark orange chickens!
This agrarian setting looks marvellous and I am pleased the tilt steering and suspension elements remain in use because they have already achieved success. The henhouse should provide an inexpensive sample for the Farm range.
Summary
60344 Chicken Henhouse, 101 pieces.
£8.99 / $9.99 / €9.99 | 8.9p / 9.9c / 9.9c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
This henhouse is satisfying, although more appealing animals are available elsewhere.
- Great henhouse design
- New chicken colour
- Neat steering mechanism
- Lacks more exciting animals
Minifigure
Several minifigures work on the farm, each sporting identical lime green overalls. The sunny logo on the torso looks splendid and I like the stitching around the edge, that captures superb detail. However, I think pockets should have decorated the legs, particularly because the same element could have appeared across this subtheme.
This minifigure includes an interesting double-sided head, presenting a sleeping, or perhaps simply peaceful, face on the reverse. That seems appropriate as farmers are often obliged to wake up early, so I think we can excuse the character having a rest! A common reddish brown hair element is provided, alongside a red helmet.
The Completed Model
Chicken coops have appeared in various sets, although this example is larger than most and presents some nice details. The white and red colour scheme looks lovely, including a vibrant yellow band and contrasting against the bright green plate underneath. While simple, I like the traditional aesthetic of this henhouse, shared across the current Farm subtheme.
The golden weathervane on top is welcome, but I am surprised the designer avoided using a classic rooster weathervane instead! Nevertheless, these pearl gold highlights look wonderful, continued on the reverse too. Viewing the structure from behind also reveals a sliding container where the eggs can be retrieved. These eggs drop through from the chickens above, although their enormous size is disconcerting.
LEGO introduced this chicken piece during 2011, appearing with white and dark tan colours in 7189 Mill Village Raid. While the mould remains unaltered, the dark orange chickens are new. Different colours are welcome and the updated chickens are also available in 41721 Organic Farm from Friends. Opening the doors to reach the chickens is unfortunately difficult, but you can detach the roof.
The accompanying vehicle features a colourful dark azure and lime green livery, matching the tractor from 60346 Barn & Farm Animals. There is space for one minifigure and the eggs, but I think the model otherwise seems rather bland. The central section could definitely be improved with a bulkier structure, occupying the area between the wheels.
However, I remain pleased with this tilt steering function, which serves as suspension as well. Leaning the vehicle to either side causes the axles to move, steering the model. The turning circle leaves something to be desired, but the basic mechanism is surprisingly effective and avoids interfering with the appearance of this vehicle.
Overall
60344 Chicken Henhouse is absolutely charming, benefiting from effective colour choices and the unique chickens. Naturally, the piglets and lambs found in 60346 Barn & Farm Animals are more exciting and I think more than two chickens could probably have been provided, but these animals are quite appealing.
This all-terrain vehicle lacks distinguishing features, but does integrate the clever steering and suspension mechanism launched last year. Moreover, I think the price of £8.99, $9.99 or €9.99 provides fair value and 60344 Chicken Henhouse represents a pleasing introduction to the Farm range, despite lacking the outstanding animals available elsewhere.
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39 comments on this article
Thanks for the nice review. Lovely little set at a great entry-level price. If the size of the eggs is disconcerting to you, Capn, imagine how the hens must feel when they lay them.
"Lacks more exciting animals"
Agreed... This would have been a fun set to introduce a fox mold, though that would likely have pushed the price point up.
@Sutures said:
""Lacks more exciting animals"
Agreed... This would have been a fun set to introduce a fox mold, though that would likely have pushed the price point up."
Lol- I think it’s entirely plausible they would introduce conflict into a farming theme!
These chickens are great. They produce Easter eggs with a hole and are already without content, so you do not have to blow them out.
Oddly enough, this isn't a bad parts pack for Castle MOCs. The crate, the gold parts, the chickens, arches, the window. I may pick up a couple of these just for that.
Cock or more chickens would be nice.
But a nice farmset with happy chickens who don't need food.
A lovely set that sadly has an opened back.
Edit: at least include a rooster.
A clarification: the parts below the red roof are Bright Yellow (Lego color ID 24), not Vibrant Yellow (Lego color ID 368).
I think the prelim had 3 hens (+ 1 in gold used for a weather vane) so do not understand why they removed that one, 2 is to little. Other than that the set is nice and great to have farm back with a bang :D
NB the hen seems to be coming in the new City advent calender as well with a gray kitten and the new white foal ;)
This is a nice looking set for $10! As prior commenters have said, a fox mold would have been brilliant to introduce into this set. As it stands, one more chicken would have been nice, but this is a very good pocket money set. Especially when you compare it to the absurdly priced farmer's van and barnyard sets.
"Lacks more exciting animals".
Yup, it definitely needs more goat.
2 hens is just mean given they cost no more to produce that any other piece. Animals are artificially rationed for no reason other than to profit from their scarcity.
"Lacks more exciting animals" like an ostrich to match the size of the eggs! The Easter egg painting Seasonal set had more appropriate egg sizes.
@Huw said:
"2 hens is just mean given they cost no more to produce that any other piece. Animals are artificially rationed for no reason other than to profit from their scarcity."
You tell 'em, brother!
I think I'll still be clicking in to see the awesomeness of Brickset long after Lego™ has lost me.
As many have pointed out, I have plenty to build with and never buy another piece. The brick-building hobby is mine. Lego™ can go cup their collective mouths around the tailpipes of their Ferrari collection!
Lacks more exciting animals?
Them's fighting words. They're chickens! What's more exciting than a chicken? My spouse thinks you're wrong and who am I to gainsay her?
Awesome lil set, good value too.....for now....
I really like everything this includes for the price. It's perfect for an add-on item to meet a gift threshold on the Lego site.
One thing though, are the farm workers a commune or are they some form of cult? All dressed identically with not a speck of dirt to be seen.
Finally a properlly colored chickens! I hope in 2050 we will get a rooster!
This set is almost perfect and quite sweet.
It would’ve been the perfect set to introduce some baby chicks, considering the barn set includes both and adult and baby version of the animals.
There used to me more chickens…until they started laying those eggs…
@chrisaw:
And if they made a tiny pair of feet to go with the egg, we could get started on a U.S. Acres theme.
With the other farm sets way overpriced, I plan on getting two of these and building a larger henhouse with the bricks I have, and probably turning that 4x4 into a 6x6 with a bigger bed.
I plan to pick up this set. Every little bit of it can prove useful elsewhere.
I've never tested out the steering function before, the minifigure is decent, and the henhouse will fit into a small farm very well.
In the states this is the best PPP and IMO deal overall for a City set from this year, I’ll be sure to get this one since chickens are cool and the suspension feature sounds enticing.
Also rising sun torso lmao
@Huw said:
"2 hens is just mean given they cost no more to produce that any other piece. Animals are artificially rationed for no reason other than to profit from their scarcity."
You took the words right out of my mouth
As someone else said, this look almost like a shine to some sort of chicken deity, but connecting 2-3 of them I think would improve it quite a bit.
Ok, am I the only one thinking that this 'FRESH' Corporation (no doubt a subsidiary of OCTAN) has a sort of 'Soylent Green' vibe?
I mean lets be honest, the farm products they sell are made of plastic. Do you what else is made of plastic? Minifigures. I mean I'm not making any conclusions but it's time to start asking questions people...
Plus they have a monopoly of food production and distribution, and they have those cultish smiles. I've even heard a rumor that their grocery stores will soon be popping up in LEGO cities by the thousands - all in the matter of a few months. Something is up. They are among us and they have plans...
@TheAuk said:
"Ok, am I the only one thinking that this 'FRESH' Corporation (no doubt a subsidiary of OCTAN) has a sort of 'Soylent Green' vibe?
I mean lets be honest, the farm products they sell are made of plastic. Do you what else is made of plastic? Minifigures. I mean I'm not making any conclusions but it's time to start asking questions people...
Plus they have a monopoly of food production and distribution, and they have those cultish smiles. I've even heard a rumor that their grocery stores will soon be popping up in LEGO cities by the thousands - all in the matter of a few months. Something is up. They are among us and they have plans..."
This is why there are so few civilians running around LEGO City, criminals are really those people that have managed to avoid the food factories (and the coppers are really the 'FRESH' corp enforcers).
@darkstonegrey said:
" @TheAuk said:
"Ok, am I the only one thinking that this 'FRESH' Corporation (no doubt a subsidiary of OCTAN) has a sort of 'Soylent Green' vibe?
I mean lets be honest, the farm products they sell are made of plastic. Do you what else is made of plastic? Minifigures. I mean I'm not making any conclusions but it's time to start asking questions people...
Plus they have a monopoly of food production and distribution, and they have those cultish smiles. I've even heard a rumor that their grocery stores will soon be popping up in LEGO cities by the thousands - all in the matter of a few months. Something is up. They are among us and they have plans..."
This is why there are so few civilians running around LEGO City, criminals are really those people that have managed to avoid the food factories (and the coppers are really the 'FRESH' corp enforcers)."
Soylent Green is people!*
(*apologies is that spoiled anyone. It just had to be done.)
A little vehicle, minfig and two chickens for 9.99 is not bad. However after LEGO's violin tinged notice about how they *have* to raise prices means this may bump up to 12-13 USD/Euro if lucky and 15-16 USD/Euro if we are not. But hey, at least the owner of LEGO can get another Ferrari.
Is dark orange the new 'go to' colour for new animals? Horse, Foal now these chickens (if we get dark orange cows in the rumoured castle set...)
@Murdoch17 said:
" @darkstonegrey said:
" @TheAuk said:
"Ok, am I the only one thinking that this 'FRESH' Corporation (no doubt a subsidiary of OCTAN) has a sort of 'Soylent Green' vibe?
I mean lets be honest, the farm products they sell are made of plastic. Do you what else is made of plastic? Minifigures. I mean I'm not making any conclusions but it's time to start asking questions people...
Plus they have a monopoly of food production and distribution, and they have those cultish smiles. I've even heard a rumor that their grocery stores will soon be popping up in LEGO cities by the thousands - all in the matter of a few months. Something is up. They are among us and they have plans..."
This is why there are so few civilians running around LEGO City, criminals are really those people that have managed to avoid the food factories (and the coppers are really the 'FRESH' corp enforcers)."
Soylent Green is people!*
(*apologies is that spoiled anyone. It just had to be done.)"
If that spoiled it for anyone, it's their own fault. You can't leave a movie on your watchlist for 49 years and expect it to be a surprise. Besides, it's not a very good movie to begin with. The best part is Chuck Heston overacting in that line you've quoted (as it is in every Chuck Heston movie).
Also, Bruce Willis is dead the whole time.
@PurpleDave said:
"There used to me more chickens…until they started laying those eggs…
@chrisaw:
And if they made a tiny pair of feet to go with the egg, we could get started on a U.S. Acres theme."
Glad that someone knows what U.S Acres is still
@ExnomonGaming:
I know I didn’t read every strip by a long shot (I usually forgot to read the daily B/Ws), but I remember reading the very first strip, which basically just introduced the characters. And I also remember being confused for a bit when later that week they showed Sheldon being “born”.
@ExnomonGaming said:
" @PurpleDave said:
"There used to me more chickens…until they started laying those eggs…
@chrisaw:
And if they made a tiny pair of feet to go with the egg, we could get started on a U.S. Acres theme."
Glad that someone knows what U.S Acres is still"
Sorry, but it was right to the Calvin and Hobbes and Bloom County for me during that era.
Did I miss something in pig Garfield? Does he eat veggie lasagna and hate Thursdays?
@Andhe:
Looking forward to the new dark-orange polar bear…
@CarolinaOnMyMind:
Just…don’t tell me the name of the sled. I wanna be surprised.
@ExnomonGaming:
BTW, that was only the name in the US. In Canada, it was Orson’s Place, and Orson’s Farm everywhere else. So, name recognition will be a bit spotty compared to orange-Orson.
@StyleCounselor:
Now, did you remember what it was, or did you have to look it up? Garfield may have been more commercially successful (and in fact, the reason the strip focuses on the cat is because he saw how popular Snoopy is compared to the rest of the Peanuts characters), but at some point it started feeling a bit same-y*. Jon didn’t have a very memorable personality, Odie was memorable precisely because there was nothing going on upstairs, and Garfield basically boiled down to lasagna, sleeping, torturing Odie, arguing with Jon, and running from spiders. Orson may not have been the most interesting character in the funny pages, but U.S. Acres had a bevy of interesting supporting characters. I’d take Roy, Wade, and Sheldon over Jon and Odie any day of the year.
Also, I saved Calvin & Hobbes more toward the end. Work up to the good stuff and end on a high note.
* Looking back, I suspect Davis created U.S. Acres because the format of Garfield was probably very restrictive in the types of jokes he could work in.
@PurpleDave said:
"
@StyleCounselor :
Now, did you remember what it was, or did you have to look it up? Garfield may have been more commercially successful (and in fact, the reason the strip focuses on the cat is because he saw how popular Snoopy is compared to the rest of the Peanuts characters), but at some point it started feeling a bit same-y*. Jon didn’t have a very memorable personality, Odie was memorable precisely because there was nothing going on upstairs, and Garfield basically boiled down to lasagna, sleeping, torturing Odie, arguing with Jon, and running from spiders. Orson may not have been the most interesting character in the funny pages, but U.S. Acres had a bevy of interesting supporting characters. I’d take Roy, Wade, and Sheldon over Jon and Odie any day of the year.
Also, I saved Calvin & Hobbes more toward the end. Work up to the good stuff and end on a high note.
* Looking back, I suspect Davis created U.S. Acres because the format of Garfield was probably very restrictive in the types of jokes he could work in.
"
I definitely had to look it up. Something in the back of my mind told me to. It was as if I had a memory that I had purposely altered the structure of my brain to prevent me from accessing (sorry, rereading Hitchhiker's Guide- so everything is Breeblebrox these days).
I definitely agree about Garfield. Yet, I guess, even as a kid, I felt reading him was an Existential exercise that would help me to understand that depression is no way to cope with the absurd monotony of life... and there's always lasagna... and Lego!
Our paper didn't carry Acres for very long. People were very resistant to change back then and quite uptght about the comics page.... hmm. Perhaps things haven't really changed that much.
@StyleCounselor:
The strip only ran three years, from ‘86 to ‘89, so it’s entirely possible they published the entire run. However, it lasted much longer as part of the animated series Garfield & Friends, which ran seven seasons starting in ‘88. The episode segments were generally split 2:1 in favor of Garfield, and it probably wouldn’t have fared that well if they had been separate shows, given how quickly the comic strip ended.
The only set of the new city farm wave that is priced fairly
@LegoHero63 said:
"The only set of the new city farm wave that is priced fairly"
Darned tootin'!