A coop is a structure designed for your chickens or other poultry to live in. It acts as a protective space against harsh weather and predators for chickens to rest and lay eggs in.
If you’ve ever considered raising chickens, but the thought of buying or building a chicken coop has held you back, you have come to the perfect place! Trust us, building a chicken coop is not as tough as it seems. With the 19 chicken coop plans we have curated for you, you’ll have one in no time. And the best part? You will know a lot about DIYing in the process.
19 DIY Chicken Coop Plans
1. Urban Chicken Coop Plan
Given in an infographic form, this plan is easy to understand and follow up on. It will assist you in building a 6×3’ raised chicken coop within a budget of $300 or less. To your relief, it will take approximately 3-4 days to finish building this coop.
This coop has two entrances, one for the humans and the other for the chickens. It even has a cage below the coop which chickens can access through the multiple coop entries. This trap keeps the chickens safe even outside when left overnight.
With an area of 18 square feet, this coop can accommodate around 3-5 laying hens. All you need to do now is to grab the necessary tools and get to work!
2. Tiny Chicken Coop Plan – Annabelle
If you are a beginner DIYer and do not have much experience with construction, this is the simplest plan for you. It helps build a chicken coop with an area of 6 square feet, within a budget of $150.
The best part about this plan is the step-by-step tutorial accompanied by blueprints of each measurement and step. Even better, every part required to build the coop has been carefully color-coded in the blueprints to avoid any confusion.
It will take approximately one and a half days to finish this coop. Since its size is not too big, you will not be able to keep more than 2-3 chickens in it. However, if you’re just getting started and aren’t allocating much money to constructing your much-needed chicken coop, this plan should work well!
Bonus Read: If you are a starter at DIY projects, familiarize yourself with these woodworking tips for better efficiency.
3. Live Simply Small Chicken Coop
A chicken coop built for under $50, which is easily movable, sounds like an ideal coop. What’s even better is that we have the plan for you to build one yourself too.
Built from an old kitchen cabinet, this coop is appropriate for housing 2-3 chickens. It can easily be placed in your backyard, regardless of whether it is big or small.
This coop is elevated from the ground to protect your chickens from predators and even moisture. Furthermore, it has a cage at the bottom where the chickens could gather to stay cool.
This coop can be built using simple materials like:
- Lumber
- Screws
- Nails
- Liquid nail
- Roof shingles
You can have one or two nesting boxes in your coop. Just remember that it is important to have one nesting box between three hens.
4. A-Frame Chicken Coop Plan
Building a large coop, which is movable at the same time, may seem like a daunting task. But not with this chicken coop plan. This plan helps build a coop that can accommodate around 3-4 chickens and also has the convenience of being hassle-free to transport.
Given detailed instructions and labeled images, this plan is self-explanatory even for an amateur woodworker. It comes with the option to build a side door for easier access and a ladder for accessing the chickens in the upper room.
5. Unbound Roots Chicken Coop
This coop is not only aesthetically appealing with its beautiful red color and white trims but is big enough to allow humans to stand up inside it. If you plan to keep a large flock of chickens, this is the perfect chicken coop plan to protect them.
This coop comes with an attached run that helps provide the chicken shelter inside and outside. The insulated walls of the coop make sure the living conditions are favorable even during peak winters. Moreover, its big door allows you to carry in a wheelbarrow if required.
Building this coop can get slightly expensive and takes more time than usual. However, if you are looking to keep a large flock of chickens, i.e., around 11-12 chickens, this plan will do justice!
6. Shed Style Chicken Coop Plan
Built using wooden pallets and old windows, this coop saves money and is big enough to accommodate 6-8 chickens. If you’re looking for upcycling chicken coop plans, this is an exceptional idea!
It has a sloping roof, a nesting box attached to one side, and beautiful flowers hanging on each side of the door. A small chicken door at the back, with a ramp, allows chickens to move in and out with convenience. While the big front door allows you to enter the coop for cleaning and other purposes.
The two windows in the coop allow for proper ventilation, keeping your chickens healthy. What adds to the beauty of this shed-style coop is its turquoise color and pebbles on the entrance.
7. Backyard Poultry Chicken Coop
This coop has some unique features like a detachable perch space, accommodations for a 12” deep bedding pack, and a way to add electricity without any added modifications. Moreover, this coop structure can open up comfortably, allowing easier access for cleaning.
It is big enough to host 6 chickens full-time or 12 chickens with a daily run.
A few must-know features of this coop are:
- Predator proofing
- Durable roofing, strong enough to withstand a 250lb man walking on it
- No exposed fasteners
This plan has labeled blueprints, pictures, and step-by-step tutorials to build the coop an easy experience for DIY enthusiasts.
8. The Egg Plant Coop
This coop is big enough to host 12 chickens and has windows on all sides allowing for desirable ventilation. It has proper insulation arrangements for colder weather conditions and a front porch too. Consider this coop a perfect combination of a DIY project that pretty and practical.
A few things to keep in mind while building this coop are:
- Use treated lumber
- Add fiberglass insulation if you live in a cold place
- You can use cedar for a better appearance
You can even add a little roof over the door to prevent snow from piling in front of it.
Must Read: 15 enticing DIY workbench plans for woodworking aspirants.
9. The Palace Chicken Coop
This chicken coop plan comes with a 3D SketchUp plan and a step-by-step tutorial with pictorial representations.
If you live in an area that is prone to waterlogging, you should check this plan out. The coop is slightly elevated from the ground, thus making water drainage easier, and is also sturdy to handle occasional stormy conditions. PVC pipes are used to allow for proper drainage of rainwater if a severe downpour ever occurs.
It has adequate space to host 5-7 laying hens, allows humans to stand inside the coop, and is stress-free to clean and maintain.
10. Small Chicken Coop with Planters and Clean-Out Tray
Inspired by a $2,200 chicken coop, this plan includes all the details you will need to build an aesthetic and useful chicken coop. You can even easily place this coop in your small backyard, all while adding aesthetics to it.
The planter box attached to the coop, its turquoise color, and the nesting box with decoration add to the charm of the coop.
Some added special features of this coop are:
- 25 square foot run
- Built-in roosts
- Maintenance is the last of your concerns
All you need to build this coop are a few tools and a decent level of precision!
11. Chicken Coop with Storage Space
This chicken coop plan makes the best out of its space by allowing extra storage area in the coop itself.
A few other features of this coop are:
- Ample ventilation and light
- A door that opens inwards
- A floor designed to take “deep litter”
This plan has blueprints given from three perspectives: upward view, side view, and front view. This allows you to analyze the plan and build the perfect coop properly.
Few tips to remember while building the coop are:
- Waterproofing the roof is important
- The wood used in the floor structure should be suitable for exterior use
- Remember to make allowances for size differences if you’re using dressed wood
For best results, you may have to modify the plan a little based on climatic conditions in your area of residence.
12. Hen Haven Southern Style
Building this coop is a long project, but it is a great option if you’re trying to host around 25 chickens. It has a metal roof, vinyl siding, and aluminum windows. There are three entrances to the coop, two for humans and one for the chickens. It even has an exhaust fan attached to it for proper ventilation.
Moreover, the coop even includes an open run, fence panels, and a shady area for the chickens to rest when it is raining. Nicknamed the “Chicken Palace,” it is a perfect option for someone looking to invest in building an eye-catching chicken coop.
13. Portable Chicken Mini Coop
This coop design is secure, easy to build, low cost, and light enough to be transported easily from and to your backyard, front yard, or barn. It can even be scaled to fit smaller settings as per your preference.
The best part? It can host around 3-4 hens and can be built within a budget of $100!
You will take no more than a few hours to assemble the entire coop, and then it is ready to house your chickens in!
Few essential materials required to build this coop are:
- Barn-style doghouse
- Welded wire fencing
- Mesh welded wire
- Hog rings
You could economize by buying one doghouse and using the bottom and top sections as the roofs for two coops if you want to make two coops.
14. Simple Upcycled Chicken Coop Plan
This coop is around 3.5 feet wide and 6 feet tall. The most environmentally friendly part about it is that it is made out of repurposed materials like old doors. What’s more, the roof of this coop can open completely, making it a breeze to access and clean the coop.
It also has a stick from an apple tree attached for the birds to have a natural roost compared to other coops with artificial roosting.
Lastly, since the wood these coops were made out of was upcycled, the costs to construct it were minimal. The plan has a detailed breakdown of the costs, which you could refer to when building your chicken coop.
15. Two Storey Chicken Coop Plan
Made from an upcycled playhouse, this coop is budget-friendly and big enough to accommodate many chickens. Scrap shutters are used to make the doors and windows of this coop, and it is insulated to make it weather resistant.
One important point to remember while making this coop is to add the shingles after the roof has been added on top of the structure. If you add shingles to the roof beforehand, it will get heavy and difficult to handle.
16. Farmhouse Style Chicken Coop
This plan teaches you how to make a basic chicken coop within a day, using some basic tools. It teaches you how to carry out each step in a detailed manner, with pictures for reference.
Some tools required to make this coop are:
- Hole saws
- Circular saw
- Tape measures
- Sanded plywood
- Wood screws
While you can build this coop within a day, it is best to spread the plan over 3-4 days for the best results.
Bonus Read: Read this comparison between the two most used chainsaws to figure out which one to buy.
17. Quick and Easy Chicken Coop Plan
If you want to build a coop for only 3-4 chickens and have a constrained budget, this is your most economical option on our list. Imagine, it can be built within a budget of $40 and has all the qualities of a good chicken coop like proper ventilation and predator protection!
Speaking of weather resistance, its windows help in heat control over the summers, while its strong structure helps keep out the winds and drafts.
18. Permanent Chicken Coop
This plan helps build a more permanent chicken coop setting meant for hosting a larger number of chickens. It has a unique structure and requires a more systematic than reverse engineering approach to build.
Since this is a tall structure, it allows you to enter and collect the eggs without much effort. It is even more attractive, made from treated lumber and wire, and gives enough space for chickens to be outside while staying completely safe.
19. Upcycled Pallet Chicken Coop
Old pallets are a great way to create DIY projects. This chicken coop built from old pallets is super fun to build and is affordable too.
The pallets already form a base for making the coop and hence reduce your workload. The result is a small chicken coop with an egg drawer and a sloping metal roof to prevent waterlogging.
Conclusion
Chicken coops are the best way to keep your chicken protected from predators and harsh weather conditions. While building your coop, all you need to keep in mind is to look at premade plans and enjoy the DIY process while making the coop!
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