Free DIY Chicken Coop Plans

This coop is a perfect option if you want to raise a large flock without getting your chicken cramped. It has 108 square feet of roosting and nesting space, plus plenty of room for your feathered friends to run.

Capacity	25 chickens
Dimensions	40 x 20
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

If you are serious about raising chickens, this large coop might generate your interest. The coop is beautiful to add interest to your backyard while providing plenty of space for your chickens. 

Capacity	22 chickens
Dimensions	9 x 42
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

For homeowners looking to add a modern and cool-looking structure right to their backyard, this chicken coop is a great choice. It is large, easy to access, secure, and properly ventilated. 

Capacity	15 chickens
Dimensions	17 x 6
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

Set on a hunk of concrete and mortared brick footing, this shade is very secure. It is made of pressure-treated lumber for longevity and performance. You can decorate it to your liking, even to match your home or other outdoor structures.

Capacity	50 chickens
Dimensions	24 x 8
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

For those looking to start raising chickens, this coop is easy to build. It has an enclosed, wire-meshed aviary and a sturdy ladder that leads the birds down in the morning and up in the evening. It is slightly raised to prevent floods and other issues.

Capacity	15 chickens
Dimensions	12 x 8
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

For those looking for a tiny yet beautiful and useful chicken coop, this elevated and sturdy coop is a perfect option. The underneath space provides ample shed where your pets and chicken can relax and hide from the rain. It has a ladder that your chickens can use when moving.

Capacity	8 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 8
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

Delivering up to 80 square feet of floor space, this coop is designed for breeders who are serious about protecting their flocks. It has a cement foundation, which guarantees safety and durability.

Capacity	30 chickens
Dimensions	10 x 8
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

If you are a serious hobbyist considering chicken keeping, this shed offers a great starting point. It is designed to be well ventilated and allow enough light into the interior.

Capacity	8 chickens
Dimensions	5 x 4
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

A small yet functional coop in your backyard can provide a home to your chickens while adding interest. This beautiful coop does just that.

Capacity	10 chickens
Dimensions	5 x 6
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

Without taking a lot of your backyard space, this modern coop offers enough space for up to 8 chickens. The aviary is sturdy, wire meshed, and elevated to keep predators away.

Capacity	8 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 8
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

With basic tools and woodworking skills, you can build yourself a beautiful unit where your chicken can stay safe and sleep comfortably. This chicken coop is functional, sturdy, and can be decorated to match other structures.

Capacity	10 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 10
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

A sizable yet beautiful chicken coop is a dream of passionate bird lovers. This intricately designed coop delivers 48 square feet of floor space, which is enough for up to 8 chickens. Its spacious interior and cabinet-style door offer access when collecting eggs or cleaning.

Capacity	8 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 12
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

Elevating chicken coops helps minimize most issues while deterring predators. This simple coop is designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment for your flock. You don’t need any special skill to build it.

Capacity	16 chickens
Dimensions	5 x 10
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

For breeders living in hot weather regions, this coop is designed to offer solid ventilation, which is important for keeping your birds cool. The coop is curved to be sturdy and portable.

Capacity	10 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 12
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

If you want a chicken coop that you can easily match with other outbuildings, then you might want to build this one with a gambrel-style roof. It is designed to look great in any space and provide a safe home for your chickens.

Capacity	10 chickens
Dimensions	5 x 6
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

This plan has enough floor space to hold up to 10 chickens. The nesting box is attached on the side and has a small door that can be easily opened to give access to the box. You can easily pick eggs and clean the nesting box through the side door.

Capacity	10 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 8
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

If you are a serious chicken breeder, this coop can serve you just well. It delivers a floor space adequate enough for up to 50 chickens. The entry door is nice, flexible, and convenient, giving you easy tasks to cleaning and picking eggs.

Capacity	50 chickens
Dimensions	30 x 15
Difficulty to build	Advanced

The shade is sizable enough to accommodate up to 10 chickens. The coop has an access window that you can use to check on the chicken without opening the door. There is a sizable nesting box that extends outwards for easy cleaning and egg picking.

Capacity	10 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 10
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

Designed as an A-frame chicken coop, this coop provides enough floor space to hold up to 6 chickens, and it is suitable for anyone who is starting to keep the chicken. It has two easily accessible nesting boxes with outer doors for picking eggs and cleaning.

Capacity	6 chickens
Dimensions	7 x 6
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

It is sizable enough to accommodate 3 to 5 chickens without any problem. It has a properly furnished main access door, a viewing window, and strong hinges to ensure the security of the birds.

Capacity	5 chickens
Dimensions	3 x 4
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

Designed to hold a maximum of 6 chickens, this is a cool chicken house with a ramp-style door to make it easy for your chicken to get back into their coop. It has outer doors that give access to nesting boxes, making it easy and convenient to access the boxes when cleaning.

Capacity	6 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 4
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

A small yet functional structure, this chicken coop is a perfect option for amateurs and bird lovers constrained by their small backyards. Even with its compact design, the coop is big enough to hold up to 6 chickens. The cage’s interior is furnished with perches for your birds to roost and rest, while the nesting box offers enough space for those laying.

Capacity	6 chickens
Dimensions	2 x 4
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

Designed to accommodate 6 chickens, this simple chicken coop is perfectly suited for amateur chicken growers. The coop has a cozy interior, but you will need to provide your flock with a safe roaming space during the day.

Capacity	6 chickens
Dimensions	2 x 4
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

If you want a truly mobile chicken coop, this chicken tractor can be a perfect addition to your backyard. It has an aviary that extends underneath the cage, and the hutch is complete with roosting bars and nesting boxes. You can even paint it to add interest.

Capacity	8 chickens
Dimensions	8 x 15
Difficulty to build	Intermediate

This is yet another portable chicken coop that is sure to add interest to any backyard. It is small enough to fit in most spaces yet big enough to accommodate up to 8 adult chickens. Best of all, it is easy to construct.

Capacity	8 chickens
Dimensions	5 x 13
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

This intricately designed structure is ideal for those planning to keep a small flock. Even with its compact design, it offers a safe and healthy environment for up to 6 chickens.

Capacity	6 chickens
Dimensions	5 x 3
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

If you are serious about chicken rearing, you can greatly benefit from a sizable chicken coop. This coop delivers 180 square feet of floor, which is enough for up to 15 birds. The interior is well furnished to offer a cozy and healthy environment for the birds.

Capacity	15 chickens
Dimensions	9 x 20
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

If you are passionate about chicken rearing, this chicken coop is a great starting point. Without taking up a lot of space in your yard, it offers a safe home for your birds while adding character to your property.

Capacity	6 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 6
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

For those serious about the safety of their flock, this chicken coop is a perfect choice. It is framed using pressure-treated lumber and engineered to be sturdy, incredibly protective, and functional. The coop is also beautiful, which adds interest to your property.

Capacity	12 chickens
Dimensions	6 x 12
Difficulty to build	Medium

For those looking to keep a small flock, this 3×3 chicken coop can be an ideal option for you. It is engineered to last and intricately designed to hold up to 6 chickens. The coop’s design ensures the optimal safety of your chickens year-round.

Capacity	6 chickens
Dimensions	3 x 3
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

Small yet functional structure, this chicken coop is designed to hold up to 6 chickens. Its interior is furnished with everything you need to keep your flock safe and healthy. Best of all, it is easy to build, requiring only basic woodworking skills.

Capacity	6 chickens
Dimensions	2 x 6
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

Best for safety, this chicken coop is big enough to hold up to 20 birds. It is perfectly furnished with comfortable perches to suit your chicken roosting and resting needs. Best of all, it is super easy to clean.

Capacity	20 chickens
Dimensions	8 x 16
Difficulty to build	Medium

For bird lovers looking to add a simple and cool-looking structure right to their backyard, this chicken coop is a good pick. It provides a safe and healthy space to keep up to 8 chickens.

Capacity	8 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 8
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

This intriguing structure is a good option for chicken growers of all levels. Although it can be a little challenging to construct, it will make a statement in your yard.

Capacity	10 chickens
Dimensions	6 x 10
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

This hexagonal coop is sure to add interest to any backyard. It has a safe aviary and an elevated hutch design to accommodate up to 12 chickens. With its unorthodox design, it can quickly become a focal point of your yard.

Capacity	9 chickens
Dimensions	7 x 8
Difficulty to build	Medium

Capacity	15 chickens
Dimensions	6 x 8
Difficulty to build	Medium

Are you looking to keep a small flock so you can have enough eggs for personal consumption? If you have basic woodworking skills, you can build this simple coop to get started with chicken rearing. Although compact, it is big enough to hold 6 chickens. Don’t forget to paint it to add interest.

Capacity	6 chickens
Dimensions	3 x 6
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

A small chicken coop is perfect for those with small yards. This easy-to-build chicken coop is good for those looking to keep no more than 6 chickens. It is structurally sound and has a window to let you keep an eye on your birds. The doors also have robust hinges to ensure safety.

Capacity	6 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 4
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

Are you looking to keep a small flock so you can have enough eggs for personal consumption? You can build this simple coop to get started with chicken rearing. Although compact, it is big enough to hold 8 chickens.

Capacity	8 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 5
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

This good-looking chicken house offers up to 48 square feet of interior space and is intricately designed and furnished to accommodate up to 24 birds. With its sturdy construction, the coop is sure to provide a safe and healthy home for your flock.

Capacity	24 chickens
Dimensions	6 x 8
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

Designed to hold up to 10 adult chickens, even with its compact design, the coop is complete with an aviary, a cage, and nesting boxes. Best of all, it is easy to build and won’t take up much space in your backyard.

Capacity	10 chickens
Dimensions	4 x 6
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

If you are a serious chicken grower looking to start an egg-selling business, this 8×12 chicken house can be a perfect starting point. The coop has a capacity of 24 birds is sturdy and furnished with everything you need to keep your flock happy and healthy.

Capacity	24 chickens
Dimensions	8 x 12
Difficulty to build	Beginner friendly

Building the coop is perfect if you love do-it-yourself projects and sustainable living. Plus, you can save hundreds of dollars by building your own chicken coop, as opposed to buying a commercially available one.

1. DIY chicken coop from pallets

Wooden pallets offer a quick and easy way to construct a chicken coop. And pallets are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than some other options. Typically, a brand-new pallet costs between $9 and $12, meaning you might spend less than $100 to build a sizable coop. And, of course, you can often find free pallets, which will dramatically reduce your construction costs.

2. Lumber

If you choose to buy lumber to build the coop, the type of wood you choose will impact the overall cost. Softwood, such as pine, is a budget-friendly framing material and costs $2 to $3 per board foot, depending on quality. Pressure-treated lumber is popular because it’s rot-resistant and prevents insect infestation; it’s readily available for $7 to $10 per board foot on average. 

Redwood or red cedar are great choices because they’re both naturally weather resistant, but they’re relatively expensive, costing about $10 to $12 per board foot. 

3. Fasteners 

The hardware that goes into your chicken coop depends on the design and size of the coop. To construct a typical coop, you can expect to spend about $20 to $50 on fasteners. Just be sure that all the fasteners and hardware are rated for use outdoors.

4. Flooring 

Chicken coops do not necessarily need to have floors; the bare ground is acceptable. However, depending on where you live or where you are building your coop, a floor can help keep your birds safer from predators. Plus, floors are easier to sweep clean than bare ground.

Plywood is an excellent choice for flooring; it’s quick and easy to install and comes in large 4×8-ft. sheets. However, it tends to absorb odors and could be chewed through by some predators. If considering plywood, it costs about $10 to $20 per sheet. And pressure-treated plywood is much more weather resistant than untreated plywood. Protect plywood with two coats of exterior-grade polyurethane varnish applied to both sides. You can also install vinyl sheet flooring over a plywood floor. Sheet vinyl costs about $2 to $8 per square foot. Another option is to make the floor out of solid-wood boards, such as 2x6s or pressure-treated decking. Wooden flooring ranges in cost from about $6 to $10 per board foot. 

If you live in a region where predators pose a serious threat, a concrete floor would be the best option. However, at around $110 per cubic foot poured, it’s also the most expensive type of coop floor.

5. Walls 

Wire mesh fencing, commonly called chicken wire or poultry netting, is ideal for covering the walls of your chicken coop. It’s inexpensive and resistant to predators and the weather. A roll of good-quality a 4-ft. x 50-ft. roll of chicken wire costs about $50. Depending on the size of your coop, you may need more than one roll.

Solid-wall options include plywood and corrugated metal. Each option costs roughly $10 to $20 per sheet. Covering part of the coop with a solid wall and the remaining walls with chicken wire creates two spaces for the chickens, one indoors, one outdoors..

6. Roofing

Any roofing you’d use on your home is suitable for a chicken coop, including asphalt shingles, metal roofing or wood shingles. You could also use pressure-treated plywood. It all depends on your preference. Depending on the size of your coop, you can expect to spend about $70 to upwards of $200 on roofing.

7. Chicken Run

Unless you intend to keep your chicken entirely indoors, you will need to provide a safe space for them to roam and explore. A chicken run is essentially an enclosed pen that provides a protected outdoor space.

Chicken runs are very easy to construct, requiring just a few posts, some chicken wire, and a roof. Depending on the design and size, you can expect to spend $100 to $300 to construct a chicken run.

Safety gear

• Garden tools: shovels, rakes, etc.
• Tape measure and pencil
• Saw
• Post-hole digger
• Hammer
• Drill/driver
• Level and square
• Wire cutters

Many chicken breeds are relatively hardy. However, when winter rolls around, they will need somewhere where they can escape from the elements and frigid weather. They also need to live safely in a clean environment with enough running space. 

Here are some basic things you need to keep in mind when building your chicken coop:

1. Shelter from the weather

While it is true that chickens are hardy birds, it is imperative to protect them from severe weather conditions. No matter the style of your coop, you want to shelter them from prevailing winds, rain, cold, and snow. 

Building your chicken coop on high ground can help prevent flooding and mud issues, but higher areas tend to be windier, which can drive rain inside. To create a comfortable environment for your chicken, try these tips:

• Build the shed on a level ground
• Sandbag the perimeter to keep water at bay
• Equip the interior of the coop with enough sleeping roosts for the chickens 
• Provide a protected, roofed outdoor space for your flock to frolic in all types of weather
• Monitor temperature and humidity inside the coop, add additional insulation, if necessary

In an effort to provide a safe and comfortable environment where your chickens are protected from elements and harsh weather, remember to maintain good coop ventilation. Good ventilation will prevent stagnation of moisture, ultimately reducing the risk of frostbite, moldy bedding, and possible respiratory infections.

2. Protection from predators

One of the most important considerations when building your coop is how to protect your birds from the threat of predators. Coyotes, raccoons, fisher cats, foxes, bobcats, dogs, and snakes are some of the predators that pose the biggest threats to chickens. While most predators attack hens when they are foraging outdoors, some may take a more conventional approach and try to break into the coop through the door. 

To protect your chickens from predators, raising the coop about 8 to 12 inches off the ground is advisable. Elevating the coop will help keep away most predators without limiting the chickens from walking underneath. This can also prevent wood rotting, ensuring longevity.

Whether you build your chicken coop on or off the ground, it is imperative to use sturdy wall materials and set it on a reinforced foundation to deter digging predators.

3. Space

When it comes to chicken coops, the main concerns are noise, odor, and flies. When choosing a spot for your coop, be considerate as you don’t want yourself or your neighbors to be bothered by any of these annoyances.

Chickens also like to explore and look for a meal. When deciding where to build the coop, consider a location with some natural foraging areas. Chickens eat nearly everything, ranging from grass, insects, plants, seeds, worms, and small rodents, so they will live happily in a space where they can forage.

4. Lighting and electricity

Whether or not to add artificial light to a chicken coop is a hot debate among flock keepers. Well, supplementing lighting in the chicken coop is practical and beneficial. However, before running electricity from your house to the chicken coop, you want to know the pros and cons of lighting up the chicken coop and maybe what type of lighting is best for your birds.

Lighting a coop can help your chickens stay warm during the winter months and keep egg production consistent during the winter. Adequate light also helps you see everything when cleaning the coop or taking care of your birds. However, there is a catch: Electricity in the chicken coop poses a fire risk. And, by forcing hens to continue laying eggs, supplemental lighting could be the root cause of health problems.

That said, when it comes to choosing lighting, most bird keepers agree that red lights are best for chicken coops. Red light soothes your flock, and chickens won’t continue laying eggs because they do not perceive red light as daylight. As such, using red lights in your coop can help prevent issues that result from chickens overlaying.

5. Water

You, of course, have to provide a steady supply of food for your chickens, but it’s equally important to always have drinking water available. The water should be changed frequently to ensure it’s always clean and fresh. And in winter, a heater may be required to prevent the water from freezing.

6. Ventilation

Every living creature loves fresh air, including chickens! For this reason, every chicken coop, no matter the size, should be well-ventilated. Ventilating chicken coops allow heat, carbon dioxide, and ammonia fumes to flow out while permitting fresh air to flood the coop, ultimately helping ensure the health and happiness of your feathered friends. 

Chickens need indoor ambient air temperature of 68 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Ventilating their home will ensure that they feel comfortable all through the day and night. 

It’s worth noting that chicken coops need much less ventilation during colder months. In hotter climates, much ventilation is needed to cool the coop’s interior — chickens handle cold better than heat. Coops with organic bedding also need more ventilation than those with inorganic bedding. 

7. Cleanliness

Cleaning your chicken coop is one of the essential maintenance practices. Generally, if your chickens spend most of their time outside, you won’t do as much cleaning as you would if they stayed entirely indoors. 

Keeping your coop clean can go a long way to reducing the chances of your birds getting diseases. Depending on the size of your flock, you may want to consider a daily coop cleaning routine, then thorough cleaning weekly. 

To make cleaning easier, you may also want to consider these tips:

• Invest in a droppings board
• Install removable roosts
• Use inorganic bedding, preferably plenty of sand.
• Staple empty feed bags on the walls – removing and replacing them is easier than scraping poop off walls

Cleaning the chicken coop gives your birds a clean, comfortable environment and also helps with moisture control, helping ensure your chickens grow happily and healthy. 

8. Temperature control

Stress in chickens due to less-than-ideal coop temperatures is one of the problems many breeders have to deal with. That’s why it is extremely important to commit to managing the temperatures of your coop. So, how do you control coop temperature?

Depending on the breed you are keeping, you need to understand what temperature is too hot or too cold, then find ways of keeping your chickens in ideal temperatures. 

The optimal temperatures for most chicken breeds are 68°F to 80°F. For every drop by one degree Fahrenheit, it is advisable to feed each bird 1.5 grams daily of added protein. When the temperatures drop too low, you may want to consider using a UL-approved chicken coop heater. 

If you live in a region with wide temperature swings, from very cold to hot, it’s advisable to build a coop whose design is optimized for temperature control and insulate it as needed. While the food you give your chickens can help them stay at ideal temperatures, you want to make them comfortable and healthy. Most expert breeders advocate for natural methods when controlling chicken coop temperatures.

Building a chicken coop can save you a lot of money. Thankfully, you don’t need any special skills. You can easily build a good home for your flock with basic woodworking skills. All you need is a detailed chicken coop plan. Depending on the number of birds you want to keep, grab a plan and start building your chicken coop today!