How to Build a DIY Chicken Coop: 4 Styles of Chicken Coops

A chicken coop—also called a ‘hen house’ or ‘chicken house’—is an enclosed structure that is used as a home for chickens and other fowl. Chicken coops consist of a raised and covered bed with plenty of openings for ventilation, as well as a place for chickens to perch and lay eggs. Some chicken coops will lead out to a chicken run, which is an outdoor enclosure attached to the coop that allows the chickens to roam in a confined space. If your chickens are free range, your backyard chicken coop may be located in a larger, fenced-in area.

Your choice of chicken coop will depend on the amount of chickens you have, and the amount of outdoor space you have. Here is an overview of some of the different types of chicken coops.

1. 1. Stationary chicken coop: Stationary coops are built directly into the ground, or have been made from existing structures (like a dog house, shed, or playhouse). They cannot be moved and are usually made for larger flocks.
2. 2. A-frame chicken coop: A-frame chicken coops have a simple, triangular shape similar to an A-frame cabin. They are very easy to make, and are often attached to a set of wheels. However, these kinds of chicken coops are often very small and may be difficult to ventilate.
3. 3. Chicken tractor: Chicken tractors are mobile coops that have sets of wheels attached, making these coops portable to different parts of your yard to give chickens a fresh area to graze. These portable chicken coops are typically used for small flocks of chickens in areas with limited outdoor space.
4. 4. Semi-permanent coops: Semi-permanent chicken coops are prefabricated structures available for purchase at the hardware store. Prefab coops are often made of plastic or aluminum, making them light and portable.

Building a chicken coop involves careful planning and consideration. Here are a few vital things to keep in mind when you’re creating the best living environment for your chickens.

1. 1. Ventilation: You want to make sure that your coop is well ventilated to help your chickens stay comfortable during extreme summer and winter weather. Proper ventilation prevents damp air from getting trapped in the winter, which can give your chickens frostbite. In the summer, vents will allow warm air out keeping your birds safe and cool.
2. 2. Location: Build your coop in an area that receives partial shade. The shade will protect your chickens from getting overheated during the summer. However, the coop should get some sunlight every day because sunlight encourages egg-laying.
3. 3. Space: Plan your coop to allow three to four square feet per bird, if they have access to an outdoor area. If your flock does not have access to an enclosed run, or will be spending a large portion of the day in the coop, you should give each chicken seven or eight square feet of space inside your coop.
4. 4. Nesting boxes: Your chickens should have nesting boxes to lay their eggs in, otherwise your chickens will lay eggs on the ground, and they may get cracked. Standard-sized chickens require 12x12 inch boxes, and three or four birds can typically share one nesting box. These should be raised a few inches off the ground.
5. 5. Security: Predators are an issue for chicken-keepers in rural, suburban, and even urban areas. While wire mesh (or chicken wire) will keep chickens in, it will not necessarily keep these predators out. Building your chicken coop about a foot off of the ground and keeping the hatch locked at night should help keep your chickens safe.
6. 6. Access: When building your chicken coop, keep in mind that it will require daily maintenance. You should be able to access the inside of your coop so that you can collect fresh eggs, disperse chicken feed, and clear out any debris and droppings.

Here is a step-by-step guide for how to make your own chicken coop.

1. 1. Draw out your chicken coop plans. Even if you’re building a small chicken coop, you want to draw up some building plans before you get started. You will need to trace out your desired area, measure it, and take note of the dimensions to determine the measurements of your floor and walls. Take note of how much space you need in your coop for nesting boxes, a roosting bar, or a feed dispenser.
2. 2. Build your floor. Cut a piece of plywood to your ideal size (keeping in mind that flocks require about three to four square feet per bird, which doesn’t include your nesting boxes). Find a piece of plywood between ½ inch and ¼ inch thick to support the weight of your chickens and the coop. Reinforce the floor with 2x2 pieces of wood that run perpendicular to the length of your coop.
3. 3. Attach legs to your floor. A secure coop should be raised approximately a foot off of the ground to protect it from pests and damp dirt. Give your coop four sturdy legs that screw directly into the corners of your floor.
4. 4. Build your three solid walls. Use three ½-inch-thick pieces of plywood to make your walls. The length of the back wall should match the length of your floor, and the side walls should match the width of your floor. Reinforce your walls with vertically-aligned 2x2s spaced four inches apart. Cut two small windows at the tops of your side walls to ensure that your chickens have plenty of ventilation.
5. 5. Build your gables. A gable is a triangular sheet of plywood that supports the roof. You will be building two of these to sit on top of your two side walls.
6. 6. Build a truss. A truss is an assemblage of beams that will support your roof from the inside. A truss can also act as a type of roost on which your chickens may perch.
7. 7. Install your front wall and door frame. Use a piece of plywood that is ½ inch thick to make your front wall and door frame. (It should be the same size as your back wall). Cut an opening in your front wall that is no larger than a foot wide for your chickens to enter and exit. Screw two hinges at the top of the door frame, and a latch to hold it open. Install a brass hook catch at the bottom of your door to lock up your coop to prevent predators from getting in.
8. 8. Install the roof. Use two lightweight pieces of plywood for your roofing. Make the pieces as wide as your gables and as long as your back and front walls. These pieces will attach to your structure with hinges, and rest on your gables. The hinges will allow you to open your coop from the top, granting you more access to the coops inside. You can also use a dowel to prop your roof open for ventilation, but be wary of your chickens escaping.
9. 9. Install the ladder. Attach 2x2s to a two to three-foot-long piece of 2x4. This small walkway will let your chickens climb up to their coop and should be too narrow for predators to use.
10. 10. Install your nest boxes, roosting bar, and dust baths. When the structure of your coop is finished, the last step is to furnish the inside. Position your nesting boxes at the back of your structure. Also, install a roosting bar for your chickens to perch on. You may also include a designated area for your chickens to give themselves dust baths, which helps them keep clean. This can be as simple as a plastic tray filled with wood ash and some loose dirt. You may also choose to install an automatic waterer on the back wall if your chickens do not have access to water.

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