How to Build a DIY Chicken Coop

Tools and Materials

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Build Your Own Chicken Coop

Having your own chickens is a project that pays off — put in a bit of work upfront and take care of your chickens each morning and you'll be rewarded with delicious fresh eggs. Keeping chickens is a great way to teach kids about farming or take the first step towards a self-sufficient household.

You don't have to live on a farm to raise chickens. Backyard chickens are becoming more popular in cities and suburbs — just check your local regulations before you adopt a flock. Some homeowners associations may have restrictions on keeping chickens. There may be a limit to the number of animals you can have, as well as rules about roosters and coop sizes.

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How to Build a DIY Chicken Coop

There are plenty of pre-fabricated chicken coops available, but if you really want to jump into homesteading, you can build your own. These plans will walk you through constructing a functional and secure chicken coop.

Good to Know

If you want to skip some steps, you can start with a pre-made wooden shed — skip to Step 5 to learn how to add openings and finish your coop.

Instructions

The size and shape of the chicken coop you build will depend on how many chickens you want to keep and the space you have available. For each chicken, you should plan for about 8 square feet of floor space. A 5-foot-by-10-foot coop is perfect for 6 chickens.

The coop will need a small opening for the chickens and a large opening for you to clean the inside and gather eggs. Be sure to plan for roosts, laying boxes, a ramp for the chickens to get up to the door and small windows for ventilation. Depending on your climate, you may need to run electricity to power heat lamps, too.

A chicken coop doesn't need to be as tall as a regular shed. As long as the walls are more than 3 feet tall, your chickens should have plenty of room to roost and move around.

Frame the walls using 2-by-4 lumber. The back wall should be taller than the front wall to allow for the slope of the roof. Frame up an angled roof. It should overhang the walls a bit to allow for better drainage.

Include an opening in the front for the chickens to use, a door in the back for you to use and one to two windows for ventilation.

Cut plywood or sheet metal to size (including holes for windows and doors) and attach it to the framing using screws. Be sure there are no gaps or holes in the walls, as this can allow water or predators to enter the coop.

Add insulation to the walls if necessary, then attach panels to the inside walls. Choose panels made of easy-to-clean material, such as vinyl or plastic.

Attach a sheet of plywood to the roof frame and then cover it with metal sheeting.

In addition to the coop, chickens need a safe space to roam outdoors. Building a chicken run is similar to building a fence, except that you'll need to sink the chicken wire into the ground with concrete to keep weasels, foxes or other predators from digging in. You should also add a cover to the top for further protection.

You can also let your chickens roam free range during the day if you'll be able to keep an eye on them — just put them back in the coop before nightfall.

How to Build a DIY Chicken Coop

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Build Your Own Chicken Coop

How to Build a DIY Chicken Coop

Instructions

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