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46 Beautiful DIY Chicken Coop Plans You Can Actually Build [Updated 2022]

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So, you are planning to build your own chicken coop.

Don’t panic. Take a deep breath!

If you are concerned that you won’t be able to read the coop plans and be too technical, you are not alone.

I cannot read and execute building plans to save my life, yet I have built a total of 8 coops so far, with more to come. The chickens don’t care if the corners aren’t square or it is not the prettiest building in town – it is draft-free, dry, and keeps them safe and warm.

The point is, don’t be intimidated. You can do this!

Below we have 46 free DIY chicken coop plans with simple step-by-step instructions. We will also give you some general guidelines about coops to help smooth the path for you.

The biggest hurdle is getting over your fears or anxieties, so sit down, have a glass of wine or a cup of tea and read on!

Our Choice for All-In-One Automatic Chicken Coop Door

Run Chicken

  • Works Rain or Shine so you don’t have to let them out in inclement weather.
  • Go ahead and get those extra hours of sleep or go on vacation, our door has you covered.
  • Protect your Chickens from Predators with our self-locking feature

Our Choice of Treats for Our Chickens

Happy Grubs: More Calcium Than Mealworms

  • Increase Egg Production
  • Stronger Egg Shells
  • Healthy Feathers

Our Picks On Best Chicken Coops

The Best Selling Chicken Coop For Small To Medium Flock

Best Choice Products 80in Outdoor Wooden Chicken Coop Multi-Level Hen House, Poultry Cage w/Ramps, Run, Nesting Box, Wire Fence, 3 Access Areas
Best Choice Products 80 in. Outdoor Wooden Chicken Coop Multi-Level Hen House
  • COMFORTABLE LIVING SPACE
  • SECURE HOUSING
  • DURABLE MATERIALS
  • EASY TO CLEAN
  • LARGE NESTING BOX 

See Price on Amazon


How To Build a Coop

Chapter 1

Step-by-Step Instructions

 


Chicken Coop Plans

Chapter 2

44 Free DIY Chicken Coop Plans

 

What are the ‘Must Haves’ of a DIY Coop?

Before we get to the plans, let’s take a look at what your coop must provide for your hens.

The must-have list is fairly short but essential:

  • Sufficient space for the hens
  • It keeps chickens in and predators out.
  • Ventilation
  • Draft free
  • Easy to clean and sanitize with good drainage
  • Protection from the elements

Let’s look at each one of these in turn below.

How Big Should Your Coop Be?

To answer this question, you have to know what chickens you are getting. Are they bantams or large fowl? Are they considered standard size or extra-large such as Jersey Giants?

If you have ordered a hatchery, they usually have a helpful section in the catalog that will give you space requirements for chickens.

In general, the following space requirements apply:

  • Bantams – 2sq.ft./bird in the coop, 4sq.ft/bird in the run.
  • Standard large fowl – 4sq.ft/bird in the coop, 8sq.ft in the run.
  • Extra-large birds – minimum ft/bird in the coop, 8sq.ft in the run.

As a note in the plans below, we’ve assumed 3 square feet per chicken.

A note of caution here – these are minimum space requirements per bird. If you can build bigger, do so. You will likely get more birds; this is known as ‘chicken math’ or ‘more hens’ disease’!

The coop can be tall enough for you to walk into, or small enough for the hens and nothing else, your choice.

My preference is a walk-in coop because I don’t want to be leaning over to see what’s going on inside the coop or leaning in to ‘muck out’ regularly.

Size requirements in the coop are really essential for the birds’ well-being, especially in the winter months. Your pretty, lovable hens will start picking and plucking at each other if they don’t have sufficient room in close confinement.

It can be gruesome, so don’t skimp on space for your girls.

It really is important that you have an attached run area to your coop for extra space. If you don’t have a run and want to keep your hens locked up all the time, the confined space requirements will be significantly more.

DIY Chicken Coop Plans

Advantages of Building your Own Chicken Coop

The easiest and most plentiful material for coop building is wood.

If you decide to build your own coop, you can save a lot of money by using freely available stuff, such as wooden pallets. Businesses give pallets away free just to get rid of them. As long as the wood is heat-treated, it is fine to build with.

Building your own coop also means you get the exact coop you want! Something unique that perfectly meets your needs.

A word of caution here – many websites I visited researching this article advocated for using chicken wire to cover windows and also in the run area.

Chicken wire is designed to keep chickens in but will not keep predators out.

If you are concerned about keeping predators out, I recommend reading our article all about automatic chicken coop doors.

You should use wire mesh (hardware cloth) no larger than ½ inch for at least the bottom three feet of the run. You can, if you wish, use chicken wire higher up.

Raccoons can and will bite through chicken wire to get to your birds; hardware mesh will keep them out.

This applies to all openings, too – windows and vents.

Using anything larger than ½ inch invites weasels and other small critters to visit your girls…not something you want to happen.

Coop Ventilation and Access

Without a doubt, ventilation to the coop is vital. In summer, the vents will allow the warmer air out, keeping the coop cooler, and in winter, it allows the warm, moist stale air out.

Moist air in the coop during the colder months will give your birds frostbite to the combs and wattles, especially breeds with large combs and wattles.

It is the combination of cold and moisture on a warm comb that causes the problem.

As contrary as it might sound, ventilation will release the moisture from the coop.

A well-ventilated coop will reduce problems to an absolute minimum.

How big a vent and where to put it? The vent should be up near the ceiling, well above the heads of your chickens (remember, no drafts).

The general rule of thumb is 1sq.ft of vent per 10sq.ft of floor space in colder climates.

In warmer areas, more is better to maintain an ambient temperature in the coop. At temperatures over 90F, the chickens will start to be stressed, which leads to problems.

A window in the coop will ideally be south facing but can be placed elsewhere except the north side. The window will allow sunlight into the coop and add extra ventilation too.

Access to the coop for you should be a standard-sized door so that you don’t crack your head every time you enter.

Chicken access is via a ‘pop’ door. A pop door is simply a hole cut into the coop about 12 inches tall and 14 inches wide. The extra width allows for two birds to pass in the doorway.

Oftentimes you will have a hen that likes to sit in the doorway, so the extra space allows others to come and go.

Location, Location, Location

Try to take into consideration all the things that might limit the desirability or accessibility of the coop.

Write yourself a list of desirable things for coop location:

  • Dry ground, good drainage
  • In a sunny spot but shaded from the midday heat
  • Easily accessible for you
  • Somewhat sheltered from bad weather – as an example, you would not want to place the coop on a high spot prone to strong winds.

Before you start building your coop, visit your site area in the morning, afternoon, and evening and see how the time of day affects the area. Think about it for a few days before deciding if the spot is right for you.

If you live in an urban setting, make sure the zoning laws allow you to put up a coop in your yard and keep chickens.

Sadly, many municipalities do not allow chickens in the town or village or only allow a certain number of hens. There are likely to be rules about where you can place your coop also – such as a minimum of six feet from the neighbors’ fence.

It is your responsibility to check out the rules and regulations. Don’t want to wade through the village by-laws?

Ask your local code enforcement/zoning official; they should be able to help you.

Hen Furniture: What to Include Inside the Coop

Thankfully, hens don’t require TV, internet access, or most of the things we humans deem necessary. They do need some basic ‘furniture’ though.

A roosting perch is essential for them when they are old enough to perch. This perch provides the sleeping area for the hens. They will snuggle together on the bar in winter and spread out a bit during the warmer months.

Roosting perches should allow for 8-12 inches of space per bird. Chickens sleep ‘flat-footed,’ so the perch should be between 2-4 inches wide for their comfort.

The ideal height from the floor should be 18-24 inches. Any higher and heavier hens run the risk of leg or foot injury when jumping down. Bantams seem to enjoy higher perches since they fly so well.

Think carefully where you will put your roost; birds poop over 70% of the total daily droppings at night. If you plan carefully, you can easily incorporate something like ‘poop boards,’ poop hammock, or other ways to collect and remove the poop mountains.

Tip: don’t place your nest boxes under the roost.

I use old discarded professional baking trays – they are solid metal trays about 18×24 inches that sit under the roosts. They are easy to lift out and empty as necessary.

Nest boxes are the second necessity for hens. The golden rule is one nest box for every 3-4 hens, although they will usually have one favorite box, and all will want to use it!

Standard-sized birds will fit nicely into a 12 x 12-inch box situated about 12 inches off the floor. Nest boxes should be placed in the darkest part of the coop since hens do like a little privacy when laying their eggs. If you have huge birds such as Jersey Giants, the nest box will have to be larger to accommodate the hens. Bantams require much less space – about 6 inches per box, but they can and will use the ‘big girls’ nest boxes.

Of course, you will need feeders and drinkers for your flock. The feeder can be hung in the coop, but leave the drinker outside otherwise;, it will contribute excess moisture to the coop’s air.

If your chickens spend most of their time in confinement, you may want to consider adding a bathtub to their home. And when I say bathtub, I mean a dust bathing area.

Chickens take dust baths to control the oils on their bodies and protect themselves from external parasites. If your birds are in confinement, a dust bath is non-negotiable. Birds that live in enclosures are more susceptible to contracting parasites. Thus they need access to a place to take their daily baths.

If you don’t provide one, they will undoubtedly try to make one, even if it is amongst their droppings.

Dust baths also provide an element of entertainment for your chickens. If you’ve ever seen a chicken bathing themselves, you’ll notice they appear relaxed and content. Think of a dust bath box as a spa for your chickens.

It doesn’t have to be large, and all you need is some dirt, diatomaceous earth, or sand. You can use a mixture of these elements to create a lovely dirt bath for your chickens. They will love it.

Keep the dust bath away from the roost and feed areas to prevent excessive dropping from falling into it.

Chicken Coop Plans

Annabell

Annabell

6 ft2

This small chicken coop will house 2-3 chickens and costs under $150 to build. It has 2 hinged doors – one for access to the main area and the second to collect the nest box’s eggs. It’ll take you around one and a half days to build.

Get This Coop

Barn Geek

Barn Geek

24 ft2

This step-by-step instruction pack shows you how to build a 4 × 6 chicken coop that will house 10-12 hens. It has a large door for access, an external nest box, and a pitched roof. It can be built on stilts, so it’s ideal if you don’t want your coop to touch the ground.

Get This Coop

Chicken Garden

Chicken Garden

100 ft2

This plan provides you with exact dimensions to create a large chicken coop for at least 25 chickens. With opening windows and a full-size door, this is a luxury coop for larger flocks. With 100 square feet of floor space, it’s one of the more difficult plans to build.

Get This Coop

Chicken House

Chicken House

128 ft2

Complete with a detailed materials list, this plan includes 3D sketches of the design and a real-life version for your convenience. This large 128 square foot coop is easier to build and can house more than 25 chickens.

Get This Coop

Chicken Mansion

Chicken Mansion

64 ft2

The Chicken Mansion is well built and attractive looking coop, complete with a porch. The coop is 8 × 8 ft. with a 4 x 8 ft. porch attached. We’ve rated this as one of the more difficult builds because it takes a lot of time and effort, but the results are great.

Get This Coop

Chicken Shed

Chicken Shed

18 ft2

This narrow but tall coop is ideal for just 1-6 chickens, but its height allows a person to get inside and clean it out. It’s easy, yet slightly more on the expensive side to build. The roof is quite easy to attach, though, as it is just one sloped side.

Get This Coop

Clutch Hutch

Clutch Hutch

49 ft2

You can easily build this square-shaped plan from recycled materials, and it’s tall enough to walk into. It’s 8 × 8 square feet and can house between 13-24 chickens. The Clutch Hutch has a sloping roof, which allows 6 feet of head height at the front and 4 feet at the back.

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Creative Mom

Creative Mom

32 ft2

If you’re looking for a unique and different-shaped chicken coop, this one is for you. It has a dropdown side to make cleaning easy. At 32 square feet, it will give you enough space for 12 chickens. The plan also includes instructions for adding ventilation to prevent overheating.

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Debby’s Roost

Debby’s Roost

96 ft2

This 96 square foot coop has both a full-size door and a chicken door at either end. The ramp cleverly doubles as the chicken door. The plans include hand-sketched dimensions of various parts and step-by-step photos of it being built.

Get This Coop

Down East

Down East

32 ft2

This coop was built to be like Fort Knox, keeping out predators. It has a locked outside the door for egg collection and a slanted steel roof. The plans include detailed photographs of the sweet but sturdy-looking coop being built.

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Easy Coop

Easy Coop

22 ft2

These 22 square foot coop plans come complete with a video and step-by-step pictures of the coop being built. It has shutter windows with a wire mesh behind it. It can house 7-12 chickens and is relatively cheap to build.

Get This Coop

Egg Plant

Egg Plant

20 ft2

This insulated chicken coop is a cube shape with an interesting roof. There are windows on every side of the coop and up at the top to let light in. The Egg Plant can house 7-12 chickens, although it’s quite expensive and difficult to build.

Get This Coop

Feather Factory

Feather Factory

20 ft2

The Feather Factory is 20 square feet and can house 7-12 chickens. It has a sloped overhanging roof and opening hatch windows on each side of the coop. There is even an opening in the roof for ventilation purposes.

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Fowl Play

Fowl Play

100 ft2

The plan set comes with a very detailed materials list and step-by-step pictures of the coop being built. Fowl Play is a large coop of 100 square feet that can house over 25 chickens. It’s also relatively easy to build for its size.

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Gopherboy

Gopherboy

96 ft2

The original coop of this plan set was built using the materials of an old garage. This drastically reduces costs. It has a fantastically shaped roof with lots of windows to let light in. It almost looks like a tiny home! It’s ideal for a large flock of chickens as it can hold over 25.

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Green Living

Green Living

8 ft2

This plan will help you create a tiny, 8 square foot chicken coop. It would make an ideal build for a beginner chicken keeper and has a rustic look to it. It’s straightforward and cheap to build and would probably house 4 or fewer chickens.

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Hen Haven

Hen Haven

120 ft2

Hen Haven is a luxurious and large chicken coop. It can house over 25 chickens and looks more like a small annex. It’s 120 square feet, has two French doors for access, a sliding chicken door, and sliding windows fit for a real house.

Get This Coop

Hennebunkport

Hennebunkport

36 ft2

This simple box-shaped design has been finished with cedar shakes to give it a beautiful finish. The nesting box is on the interior, with a hinged door to access the eggs. It has ventilation above the large front door and sweet house-like windows.

Get This Coop

HGTV

HGTV

10 ft2

This plan set takes you through a gallery of pictures to complete the build. It also includes a small run area. At only 10 square feet, it can house 1-6 chickens. It is of average cost and difficulty to build. It provides several examples of how the coop can be finished on the exterior.

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Hope Hut

Hope Hut

60 ft2

Hope Hut is a 60 square foot box-shaped coop with a pitched roof. It can house 13-24 chickens, and it’s extremely cheap to build. The plan incorporates natural branches to make roosts for the birds. On the front wall, there is also a large access door and window.

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Kassy’s House

Kassy’s House

192 ft2

This lovely coop looks like a postcard cottage. With flower boxes under the windows and a red exterior, it would make a perfect coop for someone who wants to lavish their chickens. It’s one of the largest coops we feature. At 192 square feet, it can easily house over 25 birds.

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Mid Life

Mid Life

16 ft2

This beautiful coop is a little labor of love and would make an ideal plan for someone who wants to create something extra special. It’s raised 32 inches off the ground to deter predators and is very functional in that you can do all the cleaning, access, and getting eggs without going inside.

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Minnesota Coop

Minnesota Coop

160 ft2

This monster of a coop has three rooms – two large rooms at either end and one small room as you first walk in. In the 160 square feet of floor space, you could house over 25 chickens, so it’d make a perfect coop for a large flock.

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Monks Coop

Monks Coop

15 ft2

The coop was constructed similarly to a modular home. It was all constructed separately and then assembled in place. Monks Coop is only 15 square feet, so that it can house only 6 or fewer chickens, but it’s quite easy and cheap to build.

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Moon Shadow

Moon Shadow

72 ft2

This 10 × 8-foot coop has a gable roof that can house between 13 and 24 chickens. The plans include detailed drawings of each side’s dimensions and then step-by-step photos of the entire build. Considering the size, it’s one of the easier large coop plans to build.

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Noyolks Coop

Noyolks Coop

96 ft2

This large coop will house at least 25 chickens. At 96 square feet, it has a large door for access, windows on each side, and a small opening for the chickens with a ramp down. The roof is one continuous slope which makes it really easy to put on.

Get This Coop

Palace Coop

Palace Coop

24 ft2

The Palace Chicken Coop is a combined coop and runs with an external nesting box. It has flap windows that can be propped open and ventilation holes around the top. The roof slopes from the front to the back, and there is a small access door. This coop is suitable for 7-12 chickens.

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Pallet Palace

Pallet Palace

28 ft2

The Pallet Palace was built using 22 oak pallets. This makes the build quick and efficient. The plans include detailed photos of all the steps from start to finish. It has 28 square feet of floor space and can house 7-12 chickens. It’s also extremely cheap to build if you can source free pallets.

Get This Coop

Pretty Coop

Pretty Coop

18 ft2

This chicken coop is both pretty and functional. Built upon a stilted base, it has an external egg box with a hinged sloped roof. There are also 2 further access doors and ventilation along the top of the front panel. This coop will house up to 6 chickens.

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Riverton

Riverton

16 ft2

This small coop is built up on stilts and has two hinged doors. One opens downwards to remove the eggs, and one opens like a normal door for access. At 16 square feet, you’ll be able to keep a maximum of 6 chickens in the Riverton.

Get This Coop

Roxie’s Coop

Roxie’s Coop

40 ft2

This is a mid-sized coop that will house between 13 and 24 chickens. It’s quite inexpensive and easy to build, so that it would suit a first-time chicken keeper. It has a stable-type door that can be opened at the bottom, the top, or both.

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Rural Rehatch

Rural Rehatch

64 ft2

Rural Rehatch is a stunning rustic-looking coop that is 8 × 8 feet. It has a slightly sloped roof and a large entrance door. This plan includes a materials list, sketches, and photos of the original build. It will house between 13-24 chickens and is relatively easy to build.

Get This Coop

South City

South City

8 ft2

South City is a narrow but long coop which might suit slim a garden or yard. There are double doors for access and a side hatch for the chickens. This tiny 8 square foot coop will be big enough for up to 6 chickens, although it’s quite tricky to build.

Get This Coop

Southern Maine

Southern Maine

15 ft2

This tiny coop would be ideal for those who want to keep chickens but don’t have much outdoor space. At only 8 square feet, you’ll be able to keep a maximum of 6 chickens. The Southern Maine is one of the easiest and cheapest plans available.

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The Coop

The Coop

12 ft2

This small chicken coop looks like a little house in the country. It has plant boxes under the windows and roofing tiles. The exterior nesting box opens upwards to collect eggs. The whole coop is raised on stilts to allow plenty of space underneath, which could be sectioned off as a run.

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The Nest Egg

The Nest Egg

38 ft2

The Nest Egg is suitable for a medium-sized flock of 13-24 chickens. It has a floor space of 38 square feet and has a full-sized entrance door. The external nesting box is double-tiered to make the most of the space. The coop is also insulated, which is ideal for cooler climates.

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The Stalbridge

The Stalbridge

16 ft2

The original coop that this plan is based on costs a mere $40 to build. So, if you have access to lots of recycled materials, it would be good for those on a budget. At only 16 square feet, it will house a maximum of 6 chickens.

Get This Coop

Trictles Coop

Trictles Coop

9 ft2

This small cube-shaped coop looks like a miniature cottage. The windows are framed with little shutters, and there is an exterior nesting box to allow for easy collection of eggs. It’s only 9 square feet and will house up to 6 chickens.

Get This Coop

Two Dog Farm

Two Dog Farm

18 ft2

This small chicken house incorporates both a coop and a run. It has a small door for access, and the bottom of one of the sides opens up to allow for easy cleaning. It will house up to 6 chickens. Although it’s cheap to build, it’s on the more technical side to construct.

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Urban Nest

Urban Nest

18 ft2

This coop is perfect for a small flock of urban chickens. It doesn’t take up much space, and it’s raised off the ground to allow them to roam underneath too. It’ll house up to 6 chickens, and it’s fairly inexpensive to build.

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West Wing

West Wing

71 ft2

The gable-roofed coop is of medium size and can house between 13-24 chickens. It’s quite difficult and expensive to build, but its finish is high-quality and durable. The mainframe is built using pallets – quite a unique and quick way to build a coop.

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White Coop

White Coop

14 ft2

The White Coop is one of the smaller and easier build plans. It’s a very simple triangular-shaped coop that requires much fewer materials than most. It has a small access door at the front for cleaning purposes and for the chickens to roam in and out.

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Wichita Cabin

Wichita Cabin

16 ft2

This Wichita Cabin Coop is a small, simple, and easy-to-use coop – perfect for a small backyard flock. It will house up to 6 chickens and one of the more difficult plans packs we feature. It has an external nesting box and a slanted roof, which gets lower toward the back.

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Zelda

Zelda

40 ft2

This comprehensive plan pack contains 34 detailed pages of instructions. It has materials lists, 3D elevations, diagrams of the framing, and step-by-step pictorial instructions. Zelda can house up to 20 chickens, and it’ll take 3-4 days to build. The overall cost will be around $450.

Get This Coop

Tangled-Nest-Chicken-Coop-Infographic

Tangled Nest Coop

18 ft2

This is a simple chicken coop. It has materials lists, 3D elevations, diagrams of the framing, and step-by-step pictorial instructions. The Tangled Nest Coop can house up to 5 large hens, and it’ll take 3-4 days to build. The overall cost will be around $300.

Get This Coop

 

Shed Chicken Coop Plan
Shed Chicken Coop Plan

 

This comprehensive coop lays it all out for you. It has materials lists, 3D elevations, diagrams of the framing, and step-by-step pictorial instructions. The Shed Chicken Coop plan can house up to 12 chickens, and it’ll take 3-4 days to build. The overall cost will be around $450.

Get This Coop

Our Choice for All-In-One Automatic Chicken Coop Door

Run Chicken

  • Works Rain or Shine so you don’t have to let them out in inclement weather.
  • Go ahead and get those extra hours of sleep or go on vacation, our door has you covered.
  • Protect your Chickens from Predators with our self-locking feature

Our Choice of Treats for Our Chickens

Happy Grubs: More Calcium Than Mealworms

  • Increase Egg Production
  • Stronger Egg Shells
  • Healthy Feathers

Chicken Coop Plans: Summary

Whatever you decide for your coop, it needs to be comfortable for both your hens and you. Try to ensure that the coop design suits both you and them with ample space for the girls and easy cleaning for you.

If I had one tip, it would be to make the coop slightly larger than you need!

This way, you can add a few more hens to your flock without needing to build another coop.

Finally, remember you can do this!

I cannot read building plans at all, yet I have built a total of 8 coops; don’t be intimidated!

Common Questions About DIY Chicken Coop Plans

If you are still unsure about using DIY chicken coop plans, you may have more questions that need addressing. The following should help give you enough confidence to try one of the above plans. 

Is It Cheaper to Build Your Own Chicken Coop?

In most cases, it will be cheaper to build your own chicken coop. As a bonus, it becomes much easier to control your budget and the features you want to include, as you won’t find yourself having to pay extra for something you don’t necessarily need. 

How Do You Make a Simple Chicken Coop?

A simple chicken coop can feature the frame from an old swing set with support metal over it. Then, add corrugated iron sheeting, capping, a door, and chicken wire. Or check out the 44 DIY chicken coop plans above, as they range from simple to complex. 

How Much Does It Cost to Build Your Own Chicken Coop?

On average, building your own chicken coop will cost anywhere from $300 to $2,000. The price depends on the size, material, styles, and other factors. 

How Many Chickens Can You Put in a 4×8 Coop?

You can typically put about 10 to 11 chickens comfortably and safely in a 4×8 coop. This is based on the idea that each hen needs about three to four square feet. 

Is Raising Chickens Cheaper Than Buying Eggs?

If you only buy eggs when they’re cheap, raising chickens will not be more affordable. However, if you always get fresh eggs from the farmers market, you will likely save money.

Most importantly – have fun in your new venture! Make sure to send us photos of your new coop and leave comments below…

Read Bantam Chickens: Breeds, Egg Laying, Size and Care Guide

DIY Chicken Coop Plans

 

 

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65 thoughts on “46 Beautiful DIY Chicken Coop Plans You Can Actually Build [Updated 2022]

  1. I am planning on getting two chickens this spring. This site has been so helpful to me because I’m not in a financial position to buy a coop. These look pretty easy to build……..?
    You really are an expert on all things chicken ….and I love your enthusiasm!

    1. Trust me when I tell you that buying a coop from, say Tractor Supply, is not the best move anyway. They are crap, a total waste of money.
      I’m gonna try to make my own as well after having 3 crap coops from TSC.
      Good luck!

        1. Debri, are you clicking on the green button that says “GET THIS COOP”, let me know which one is not showing the plans for you.
          Claire

          1. “The Palace Coop” shows ppics for free, but plans are $10- shame, I would have liked to consider that one

    1. We will be reviewing a couple of them soon and offer our honest opinion. They do look fairly neat and much easier to keep tidy.
      Claire

  2. I’m want to get 2-3 chickens this month and wanted too build a coop! I liked the “Pretty little coop”
    Thank yall for the tips

  3. Hi
    I have a 8’ x 2’.6 coop which includes run, the coop off the floor so the hens will have 8’ x 2’.6 run. How many hens is it big enough for or how many bantems please.
    The coop is on slabs what do you recommend I put on these for the hens.
    I’m thinking of getting a run for them to go onto the grass and get some wheels and handles on so I can push it onto different parts as and when. What size would be good? How long do I leave them in this before they go back into the coop?
    Regards
    Lorraine

    1. Hi Charles,
      Perfectly suitable for chickens if the general advice given above is followed 🙂
      Claire

  4. Can I house meat chickens with laying chickens? I have heard you need to keep them separated.
    Awesome plans.
    Thanks
    Laurie

    1. Hi Laurie,
      As a general rule, I would recommend you raise them separately because they grow at very different rates and require different types of feed.
      Claire

    1. Hi,
      $ means the cheapest coops to build and $$$ are the most expensive to build.
      Claire

  5. I see that $ = least expensive and $$$$ = most expensive, but do you have a dollar estimate for these? Are we talking $40? $150? What does “$” mean?

  6. I know you have posted on what a coop should have and there are plans on your site, but im not a builder, rather would just purchase a coop already made that has your requirements.
    Would it be possible for you to post a link or picture or site to some pre-built purchasable coops I can just buy online that meet all your laid out requirements? I am looking for one to hold 7-12. Appreciate any help you can provide in purchasable ones already meeting your stated requirements, thank you.

    1. Hi Otto,
      Leave this with us and I’m sure we can put a list together for you 🙂
      Claire

  7. Good day,
    I just started with chickens, I’m a rookie. I read severals books and found plenty of fantastic resources online including your website. Thank you!
    Most of the books I found were from France, warmer climate, I’m from Québec and winters are frigid here. Three weeks of minus 30-35 celsius last year, horrible.
    I found an isolated coop with a plug for an infrared lamp. People are telling me that the chickens will stay inside the coop all winter and would not want to go outside and to put as much chickens as possible so they keep each other warm. (During summer they roam freely, woods all around the house and no neighbors)
    My questions are, in that case, should I keep the coop close in winter therefore put the water inside de coop? Or I should keep the coop’s door open even when it is cold?
    Julie

  8. Nice site, but the title says 44 “PLANS”. I hate to nit-pik, but there are no “plans” here. Just pictures. Very nice article, I have learned a lot on this site but would like to build my own coop but need a little more info. True “plans” would be really nice. The pictures are nice, but some measurements and more details would be nicer. I am looking at the HGTV and the MonkCoop and can figure out most of the build, but more about how the roof is assembled would be nice.
    Thanks, I really enjoy your site.

  9. Has anyone actually built the coop by CreativeMom (for Home Depot)? It doesn’t seem like it would stand the test of time. Also, the instructions seem a bit thinner than they ought to be. I do enough to know where I’d add some strength and how to attach the parts it doesn’t show, but I’d like to see if anyone has actually done it.

  10. One thing to remember when you are choosing your coop. If you get wet weather like rain or snow, do not buy or build a flat roof coop. I made that mistake, the roof only had a slight slant to it and the snow that I could not keep up with, destroyed it. My new coop has an A-frame roof like a house would

  11. Can I use hardware cloth for coop floor? I realize I can’t stand on it but it will allow droppings to fall to the ground for easy clean up.

    1. Yes you can, but there are better quality hardware clothes that are coated and easier on the chickens feet, preventing cutting and entanglement.

  12. Its been a nice article but I find it challenging to put up my own coop yet I can’t access yours .Hoping to start up mine soon.Thanks so much for this.

  13. Thank you for all the time and energy you put into this! Very helpful and appreciated!
    Thank you!

  14. I can’t make a coop but would like to purchase one that has the necessary elements but won’t break my bank….any suggestions?

  15. If you ve found this article you`ve at least thought of raising chickens one day and as any experimented householder would recommend, you need to build a chicken coop before actually purchasing the little creatures; you are here because you have realized that a pre-fabricated coop might not be something that suits your needs and you ve made the right decision, you need to build an easy simple chicken coop tailored to your needs, the following article contains spectaculous diy chicken coop plans in easy to build tutorials, 100% free of charge.

  16. If you are just starting out and need two three chickens to save some money on eggs daily no large, complicated and expensive coop is needed. You simply need something strong, weather-proof to provide comfort to your little creatures, the simple ensemble above can be realized with nails, salvaged wood,a saw and a hammer without sacrificing on the chicken`s experience.

  17. If you are just starting out and need two three chickens to save some money on eggs daily no large, complicated and expensive coop is needed. You simply need something strong, weather-proof to provide comfort to your little creatures, the simple ensemble above can be realized with nails, salvaged wood,a saw and a hammer without sacrificing on the chicken`s experience.

  18. The smallest place in your yard can shelter a beautiful home for your chickens, create something that you truly like they`ll surely love it. In the design above the roof has been used as a raised planter and it now grows natural organic food for home use. How do you see the extraordinary combination above?

  19. I so wish that there was a conventional set of plans, and a material list. Or just the plans; I can’t order materials very easily with these.

  20. I am 13 and am trying to start a vegetable garden and chicken flock to sell eggs and vegetables in a stand. What are some of the easiest and cheapest, but dependable coop plans to build?

  21. I started building one of the chicken coops (19 on this list from the top, plan HGTV). Was going of the plan that was provided by the site. The plan has wrong measurements and amounts. Usually I make my own plans for simple builds like this. Thought I’d give this a try and precut everything then put it together, didn’t work out to well. I went back and rechecked my measurements, they matched the instructions. Would not recommend following them.

  22. I am 14 and I reared my chickens for 3 months in cartons and they aren’t growing fast. I need to make a coop very soon. Thanks for the info. I knew so little about rearing chickens.

  23. Hi. Thanks for the post. I was thinking would it be feasible if I stack three or four containers one above another for rearing multiple chickens in a small area. Unfortunately, I had to move somewhere with small area for a backyard.
    Here is what I am talking about-
    It would look somewhat like this:
    ———————–
    A
    ———————–
    B
    ———————–
    C
    ———————–
    D
    ———————–
    There would be space for 10-12 hen and 1 rooster in each of the containers. I haven’t thought of the dimensions yet. Also the each stack would have a transparent but impermeable bottom, steet nets on all sides and doors on one side each. The whole system would be under a wooden house and openable top for daylight and sufficient ventilation.
    1. How safe would that model be?
    2. Any other advices or any other pre-existing templates that you would recommend?
    3. Is it okay if I don’t let my birds come out? I don’t want them to venture into my neighbours’ house.
    Thanks in advance for your time.
    Madhurjya

  24. Where are the coops? I can read the article but I don’t see pics of coops or plans or anything.

  25. Called up your site for “44 Chicken Coop Plans” on Android, iPhone & PC but no link to the plans. What gives?

  26. I am echoing the question of Kristina from Mar 11, 2022. I have scoured this page, looking at every link, trying to find the 44 DIY chicken coop plans, but they are not here. There are two buttons toward the top, “Chapter 1 step by step instructions” and “Chapter 2 44 DIY free chicken coop plans.”
    The first button is active. The second button isn’t working.
    Help… I would love to see your plans.

  27. Hi! I was wondering if you could help me out. We have a nice sized shed that we think could be used for a chicken coop. I’d say its 8×10 feet? Anyway, instead of building a coop, we could make the nesting boxes and feed/drink, roosting perch, but I wonder if we need to do a covered outdoor area. It’s either that or a sheltered kennel area.

    Thanks, Lisa

  28. Love these DIY chicken coop plans! Can’t wait to get started on my own coop for my backyard flock. The Happy Chicken Coop has some amazing ideas and instructions. Thanks for sharing!

  29. LOVE these DIY chicken coop plans! As a beginner gardener, I’m so grateful for the easy-to-follow instructions and detailed blueprints. Can’t wait to get started on my own coop and help create a happier, healthier home for my feathered friends 🐔❤️

  30. Great roundup of DIY chicken coop plans! I’m certainly inspired to give building my own coop a try. The detailed plans and blueprints for each coop are incredibly helpful. Can’t wait to get started on my own project!

  31. Love these DIY chicken coop plans! Can’t wait to get started on my own coop. The pictures are so helpful and the instructions are easy to follow. Definitely going to save this post for future reference. Thanks for sharing!

  32. Love these DIY chicken coop plans! Just built my own coop using plan #27 and it’s turned out great. The step-by-step instructions were really helpful and the pictures made it easy to understand. Can’t wait to get my girls in there and watch them thrive!

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