When the building firm was established in South Dunedin earlier this year, its range covered everything from steel frames and trusses, portable buildings and dog kennels through to large farm sheds - and henhouses.
''I think you've got to be versatile in what you do these days ... spread your wings,'' Mr Bygate said.
Heartened by the increased popularity of household hens, and as a novelty factor, the company is offering free hens with every henhouse sold.
Mr Bygate was fortunate to have a close connection to the purveyor of poultry; his father-in-law is legendary Milton poultry breeder Colin Carr, who has been involved in the industry ''for absolute years''.
Mr Carr provided helpful advice on designing the henhouses.
''He's been with us, making the sheds and telling us what's good and what's not. He has said it is one of the best sheds he's ever seen, design-wise.''
Mr Carr also noted that when the economy got ''tighter'', demand for his poultry increased.
''He hasn't been as busy as this since he started 50 years ago. He's turning customers away ... he can't keep up with it,'' Mr Bygate said.
An ''incredible'' number of people wanted two or three hens to keep them supplied with eggs.
He cited the various benefits of keeping hens, including having fresh, better-tasting eggs which were cheaper than buying them.
There was the ability to recycle food scraps and when those scraps ''come out the other way'', the resulting product made great compost.
He also believed that feeding and looking after hens was a good interest for children, instead of spending their time playing electronic games or sitting at a computer.
He recalled being brought up on a property on Highcliff Rd, where his parents and neighbours kept hens.
He expected some smaller henhouses would be made to cater for small, residential properties.
''At the end of the day, we're builders. We'll build anything,'' he said.
