Most chicken coop plans online look gorgeous. Then you read the materials list and your heart sinks.
Fancy joinery. Expensive cedar. Tools you do not own.
Here is the good news. Chickens do not care about any of that. They need a dry roof, fresh air, a safe door and somewhere to lay. That is it.
So these 20 easy DIY chicken coop plans keep things simple. Whether you are starting with 6 hens or planning for 30, there is a plan here you can actually build.
1Simple 4×8 Beginner Chicken Coop Plan
A 4×8 coop is the sweet spot for most backyards. It fits 6 to 8 hens comfortably and you can build it in one weekend.
Keep the design basic. Four walls, a pitched roof, a small pop door for the birds and a bigger door on the side for you. If this is your first coop, start right here.
- Weekend build
- Fits 6 to 8 hens
- Beginner friendly
Project Card · 1 weekend · Easy
Materials Needed
- Pressure treated 2×4 lumber for the base
- Exterior plywood for walls and floor
- Corrugated roofing panels
- Hardware cloth for vents
- Door hinges and latches
- Exterior screws and a drill
How to Make It
- Build a level 4×8 floor frame from 2x4s and screw plywood on top.
- Frame four walls, making the front wall taller so the roof slopes back.
- Sheath the walls with plywood and cut a pop door and a side access door.
- Screw on roofing panels with a small overhang so rain runs clear.
- Cut vents high on two walls and cover them with hardware cloth.
2DIY Pallet Chicken Coop Plan
Pallets are free or close to it, and they make a surprisingly solid coop when you build them right.
Bolt them into a box, add a sloped roof and line the inside walls with plywood so drafts stay out at roost level. Look for pallets stamped HT, which means heat treated, not chemically treated.
- Almost free
- Uses recycled wood
- Quick to frame
PRO TIP Skip any pallet stamped MB. That one was treated with chemicals you do not want around your hens.
3Easy Chicken Coop Kit Assembly Plan
If building from raw lumber feels like too much, a kit is a smart shortcut. All the pieces come pre cut and you just put it together like flat pack furniture.
A good chicken coop kit goes up in a few hours. Add an extra layer of hardware cloth on the vents and you have a solid starter coop.
- No cutting needed
- Done in hours
- Great for first timers
My Pick
Chicken Coop Kit Easy Assembly
Pre cut panels and simple instructions. The fastest way to a sturdy coop without a full build.
4Simple Chicken Coop for 6 Chickens
Six hens is the most popular starter flock, and a 4×6 coop handles them nicely.
Plan one nesting box for every three or four hens, two high vents, a pop door and an access door. Chickens are not fussy about looks, but they are easy prey. Seal every gap.
- Most popular size
- Simple box design
- Easy to secure
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View the 30-Day Plan Printable PDF · Instant download5DIY Chicken Coop with Automatic Door
An automatic door is the best upgrade you can give any coop. It opens at sunrise, closes at sunset and you never have to run out at dusk again.
This automatic chicken coop door fits most standard pop door openings and installs in about an hour. Honestly, it gave me my evenings back.
- Opens and closes itself
- Better predator safety
- Hour long install
My Pick
Automatic Chicken Coop Door
Opens at sunrise and closes at dusk on its own, so you never have to rush home to lock up.
6DIY Chicken Coop with Nesting Boxes Plan
External nesting boxes let you collect eggs from outside without stepping into the coop. That saves time every single morning.
Build a box that hangs off the outside wall with a hinged lid on top. Drop in easy clean nesting boxes and your hens will move in right away.
- Eggs from outside
- Saves daily time
- Cleaner eggs
Project Card · 3 hours · Easy
Materials Needed
- Exterior plywood
- 1×2 wood strips for the frame
- Piano hinge for the lid
- Roofing membrane for the lid
- Two hook latches
- Nesting pads or straw
How to Make It
- Cut a long box about 12 inches deep and 12 inches tall per nest.
- Divide it into nests with plywood panels.
- Cut a matching opening in the coop wall and attach the box with screws.
- Fit the lid with a piano hinge and cover the top with roofing membrane.
- Add latches so raccoons cannot lift the lid, then fill with pads or straw.
My Pick
Chicken Nesting Box
Easy clean nesting boxes that hens take to quickly and that keep eggs clean.
7Cheap DIY Chicken Coop on a Budget
You can build a working coop for around $200 if you plan smart. Use basic construction lumber, grab secondhand wood where you can and skip the decorative extras.
Spend your money on what matters most. A waterproof roof, solid walls, good vents and strong latches.
- Low cost
- Function first
- Easy to upgrade later
8Step by Step DIY Chicken Coop Plan for Beginners
The biggest beginner mistake is overthinking the plan. A coop is really just a weatherproof box with vents, nests, roost bars and a secure door.
Build in this order. Floor, then walls, then roof. Keep every corner square and level and the rest falls into place.
- Clear build order
- No experience needed
- Basic tools only
9DIY Chicken Coop with Chicken Wire Mesh Run
A coop without a run means your hens are either stuck inside or roaming unprotected. A simple attached run fixes both.
Frame it from 2x4s and cover the sides and top with wire mesh. For the bottom two feet, use hardware cloth instead, since chicken wire keeps chickens in but does not keep raccoons out.
- Safe outdoor space
- Room to scratch
- Easy frame build
My Pick
Chicken Wire Mesh Roll
Galvanized mesh for building the run walls and roof over a simple wood frame.
10Easy Inside Chicken Coop Layout Plan
The inside matters just as much as the outside. Roost bars should sit higher than the nesting boxes so hens sleep on the bars, not in the nests.
Cover the floor with a deep layer of wood shavings and top it up as you go. It is the easiest low maintenance floor there is.
- Smart roost height
- Easy to clean
- Healthy flock
11Mobile DIY Chicken Coop on Wheels
A coop on wheels, often called a chicken tractor, lets you move your flock around the yard. They fertilize new ground and always have fresh grass to scratch.
Build a light A frame with two wheels on one end and handles on the other. Move it every few days and let the hens do the weeding.
- Fresh ground often
- Free fertilizer
- Light build
Project Card · 1 weekend · Medium
Materials Needed
- Lightweight 2×3 lumber
- Hardware cloth or wire mesh
- Two wheelbarrow wheels and an axle
- Corrugated roofing panel
- Screws, hinges and a latch
How to Make It
- Build two triangle end frames and join them with long top and bottom rails.
- Cover the frame with mesh, leaving a door on one end.
- Add a small roosting box with a solid roof at the top of the A frame.
- Bolt the wheels to one end and fix handles to the other.
- Move the coop every few days to fresh grass.
12DIY Chicken Coop with Feeder and Waterer Setup
Getting feed and water right makes daily care so much easier. Hanging them keeps everything off the floor, which means less waste and fewer pests.
This feeder and waterer set hangs from a rafter and holds enough for a few days. Hang them about back height so hens cannot scratch litter into them.
- Less waste
- Fewer pests
- Fewer refills
My Pick
Chicken Feeder and Waterer Set
Hanging feeder and waterer that keep feed off the floor and cut waste.
13Predator Proof Chicken Coop Locks
Raccoons are clever. A simple hook and eye latch will not stop them for long.
Every coop door needs a lock that takes two steps to open. A predator proof coop lock or a spring clip on each latch is easy for you and impossible for little paws.
- Stops raccoons
- Two step latch
- Peace of mind
PRO TIP Check every door and hatch at night with a flashlight once. Any gap you can fit two fingers through, a predator can use.
My Pick
Chicken Coop Lock Predator Proof
A two step latch that raccoons cannot figure out. Worth it on every coop door.
14DIY Large Chicken Coop Plan for 20 Chickens
A flock of 20 needs about 80 square feet of coop space. Think 8×10 or 10×10.
The build is the same as a small coop, just bigger. Add more nesting boxes, longer roost bars and a bigger run. Done right, 20 hens are just as easy to manage as 6.
- Room for 20
- Same simple steps
- Scales up easily
15Simple Chicken Coop with Ventilation Plan
Ventilation is the most overlooked part of any coop. A damp, stuffy coop causes breathing problems in chickens and rots the wood fast.
Put vents near the roofline so fresh air flows above the birds without chilling them on the roost. In hot climates a small coop ventilation fan helps a lot in summer.
- Healthier hens
- Dry coop
- Longer lasting wood
My Pick
Chicken Coop Ventilation Fan
Moves stale, damp air out of the coop on hot summer days.
16DIY 8×8 Chicken Coop Plan
An 8×8 coop comfortably houses 12 to 16 hens and gives you room to walk inside.
Build it to standing height, at least 6 feet at the peak. You will thank yourself every time you go in to clean or grab eggs.
- Walk in size
- 12 to 16 hens
- Easier cleaning
17Cheap DIY Chicken Coop from Recycled Wood
The cheapest coop is the one built from what you already have. Old fence boards, secondhand lumber, salvaged windows and leftover roofing all work.
Recycled coops often end up the most charming ones on the street. Just make sure the wood is dry, sound and free of old paint or chemical treatment.
- Very low cost
- Full of character
- Eco friendly
18DIY Chicken Coop with Inside Roosting Bar Plan
Roost bars are where your hens sleep every night, so they matter more than you would think.
Use smooth bars about 2 inches wide, set them higher than the nests and give each bird about 10 inches of space. A ladder style roost at slightly different heights works really well.
- Better sleep
- Healthy feet
- Cheap to build
19DIY 30 Chicken Large Coop Plan Step by Step
A coop for 30 hens is really a small barn. You need at least 120 square feet inside.
At this size, build a stud framed shed on a concrete or paver base. Plan for about 8 to 10 nesting boxes, long roost bars on two walls and a very large run.
- Barn style build
- Solid base
- Big flock ready
20Simple Free Range Chicken Coop Plan
If your hens free range all day, the coop is just for sleeping and laying. That means it can be smaller and simpler.
Put your effort into security. Solid walls, strong locks and no gaps, because night is when predators come calling.
- Smaller build
- Lower cost
- Night time safety
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest chicken coop to build?
A simple 4×8 box coop with a sloped roof is the easiest. It needs basic lumber, plywood and a weekend. A kit is even easier if you do not want to cut anything.
How big should a chicken coop be?
Plan about 4 square feet per hen inside the coop and about 10 square feet per hen in the run. Six hens need roughly a 4×6 coop.
How much does it cost to build a chicken coop?
A small DIY coop can cost around $200 with basic lumber, and even less with pallets or recycled wood. Bigger walk in coops cost more.
Is chicken wire enough to keep predators out?
Not on its own. Chicken wire keeps hens in, but raccoons can tear through it. Use hardware cloth on vents, windows and the lower part of the run.
Where should I put my chicken coop?
Pick a level, well drained spot with some shade in summer and protection from strong wind. Close enough to the house that daily chores are easy.
Final Thoughts on Easy DIY Chicken Coop Plans
A good chicken coop is not about fancy wood or perfect joints. It is about a dry roof, fresh air and doors no predator can open.
Pick the plan that fits your flock size today. Build it solid, then upgrade later with an automatic door or a bigger run. Your hens will be happy either way.
Amir Ali is the founder and site administrator of HomeDecorEdge, a modern home decor and interior design platform. Since starting the site, he has combined his passion for interior design, practical styling, and color coordination with hands-on content strategy and site management. He guides authors, curates high-quality articles, and ensures readers have access to actionable, visually inspiring, and user-focused home decor advice for apartments, small rooms, and family homes.