Check out the charms of Silly Chickens Lodge B&B

Karen Michaels sits on the over-sized front porch with a chicken on her lap talking about her new life in Mooresville. On occasion the conversation is interrupted as she gives ‘Little Bird’ a drink from a water glass.

“She’s my shadow,” said Karen.

It’s a typical scene at the Silly Chickens Lodge B&B in Mooresville where chickens often roam free in the backyard along with Bear, the dog.

The Airbnb sits just past the popular Carrigan Farms, at 1307 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy.

Karen and her husband, John, opened the lodge in March 2016 when they moved here from Florida to be closer to their daughter. 

“We were looking to downsize and simplify our life, and then this place came along,” John said.

Built in the 1860s, the lodge offers two guest rooms upstairs with a shared bathroom.

Guests have use of a movie room, living and dining area, and remodeled kitchen.

Of course, a full breakfast is served, complete, when possible, with fresh eggs!

So far, the pair has enjoyed guests ranging from weekenders to families looking to relocate, to a couple vacationing from Australia.

“Everybody has a different story,” said John.

The Michaels hope to service corporate customers with a private guest suite that should be complete for extended stay in a few weeks.

That’s not the only change still to come. The Michaels are planning to put a another deck off the kitchen so guests can enjoy breakfast while watching the chickens in the coop.

“A lot of people have never seen a chicken up close,” John said.

A second structure on the property houses John’s internet tool business and a FedEx shipping store.

The Michaels say they aren’t ready for retirement just yet but are thrilled with the new life they are building in Mooresville.

“We know more people here, that I consider friends, in one year, than we did in Florida for 20,” John said.

Get there

Silly Chickens Lodge B&B: 1307 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville

Cost: $75-$95 per night

Photos: Allison Andrews

This story was originally published January 24, 2017 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Check out the charms of Silly Chickens Lodge B&B."