DIY Chicken Coop Plans (A Look at Planning, Designing, & Building Chicken Coops for Hens & Other Poultry With DIY Instructions)

My Favorite Chicken Coop Plans

Building a chicken coop can be easy, fun, and a money saver if you have the right plans.

I’m by no means a professional carpenter. To be honest, I know almost nothing about building anything. But I’ve built all of my chicken coops myself by reading the book Building Chicken Coops For Dummies (Amazon).

The plans were super easy to follow and building these coops saved me tons of money. I even started making money by selling personalized chicken coops to people in and around my community.

These plans are made for beginners who want a preditor-proof, durable, all-season chicken coop for their flock.

The best part?

One of these chicken coops can house up to 30 chickens!

What Is the Cheapest Way To Build a Chicken Coop?

The cost of building a chicken coop can vary widely depending on the size and complexity of the design, but there are ways to build a chicken coop on a budget.

Here are some tips for keeping the cost of your chicken coop down:

Recycled Materials

One great way to save money on your chicken coop is to use recycled materials wherever possible.

For example, you can use recycled wood for the chicken coop’s framing. Just make sure to choose wood that is in good condition and free of any chemicals or toxins.

You can also use recycled metal for the roofing and siding of the chicken coop. Again, make sure to choose metal that is in good condition and free of any harmful chemicals or toxins.

Other recycled materials like plastic and windows are great materials to use for a chicken coop. Use recycled plastic for cheap, durable, easy-to-clean chicken coop floors. And recycled glass can be used for windows.

And, some people even turn unused barns, sheds, and other storage buildings into chicken coops!

By being creative and using recycled materials to build your chicken coop, you’ll be able to save money while creating a sustainable, environmentally-friendly design.

Build It Right the First Time

When building a chicken coop, one thing that can cost a lot is fixing mistakes.

So if you don’t know things like how many nesting boxes you’ll need, how high the roosts should be, how much space in square feet you need per chicken, and how to design vents that won’t freeze your chickens in winter, then you need really good chicken coop plans.

Plus, if you don’t build a chicken coop that’s completely preditor-proof, the cost of losing all your chickens can be devastating. So when you’re looking at chicken coop plans, make sure they come with a guarantee.

Hardware Cloth

To protect my chickens from all sorts of predators, I never use chicken wire for my chicken coops, runs, or pens because raccoons and other predators can easily rip it apart. Plus, predators (like raccoons) can even grab chickens and eat them through chicken wire or fencing.

Instead, I use hardware cloth (Amazon) that’s made of a 1/4-inch a 1/2-inch mesh and I secure them with poultry staples (Amazon), which is safer than using staples. Or, you can use zip ties.

I also use hog rings and a hog ring plier (Amazon) if I need to fasten 2 pieces of fencing material together.

Save yourself the frustration of building a chicken coop that just won’t do the job or is too small for your birds. And save time and money with expertly designed chicken coops (Amazon).

Keep It Simple

When it comes to chicken coops, simpler is almost always cheaper.

More complex chicken coops may have more features and be more aesthetically pleasing, but they also come with a bigger price tag.

For one, complex chicken coops usually require more materials. More elaborate designs often include features like multiple levels, fancy trim work, and extra perches or nesting boxes, all of which will drive up the cost of the project. In contrast, a basic chicken coop can be built using less expensive lumber and fewer materials overall.

Stick to the basics when designing your chicken coop and you’ll save yourself both time and money.

What Is the Best Layout for a Chicken Coop?

There are many factors to consider when designing a chicken coop, but the most important is the layout. The best chicken coop layout provides plenty of space for the chickens to roam and exercise, while also keeping them safe from predators.

A chicken coop typically consists of two parts: the main coop and a run.

A chicken coop is where the chickens sleep, rest, and lay their eggs.

On the other hand, a run provides a safe place for your chickens to socialize, roam freely, forage, have dust baths, and get some exercise. Plus, a chicken run also gives them some much-needed fresh air and sunshine.

Some plans come with a run attached to the chicken coop, but if yours comes without one or you want to allow your chickens to forage in different areas on your land, a chicken pen (Amazon) is an amazing thing to have!

So when it comes to buying (Amazon) or building a chicken coop (Amazon), don’t skimp out on the quality or size!

A good rule of thumb is to give each chicken at least 3 to 4 square feet inside the coop and a minimum of 8 to 10 square feet of space in the run, depending on the breed. And if you can, double or triple that space!

For more information on this topic, check out my post: How Much Room Do Chickens Need?

Conclusion: Most Popular Chicken Coop Plans

These coop plans by Building Chicken Coops For Dummies (Amazon) are some of the most popular chicken coop plans in 2023.

Why?

First, the instructions are easy to follow and understand. They provide a step-by-step guide that makes it easy for even a beginner to build a beautiful chicken coop that will provide your chickens with a safe and comfortable place to live.

Second, you don’t need expensive, fancy tools to construct these coops.

Third, the plans include coops of different sizes and styles, so there’s sure to be a plan that’s perfect for you. It’ll be the first step in turning your backyard into a cute little chicken farm that brings joy to your family and friends.

Fourth, these coops will make raising backyard chickens so much easier by ensuring they’ll be protected from predators and changing weather conditions. It will also help prevent illnesses caused by improper ventilation which is unnecessarily common in poultry.