Chicken coop ideas are hot this season as everyone searches for affordable free range eggs (or just some eggs to buy). But what if you can have free range chickens that lay eggs for you right in your backyard?
Firstly, you must roll up your sleeves and unleash your inner woodworker to build a small chicken coop. We have collected 14+ FREE Chicken Coop Plans to help you on your journey to create a low-cost DIY chicken coop.
Most importantly, these chicken coop plans are expertly designed for DIYers while keeping your backyard feathered friends’ safety in mind. These FREE chicken coop plans PDFs are user-friendly and ready for budget-conscious woodworkers.
1. Amish-Style Chicken Coop
In summary, this small Amish-style coop offers a living space for 12 chickens with nesting boxes accessible from outside. As illustrated, the chicken coop design offers a secure living space raised off the ground, with a main door and a chicken-sized door with a ramp. It will easily fit in a small backyard or even a suburban lot.
2. Mobile Chicken Coop Plan
Notably, this beginner-friendly chicken coop design offers an option to move it anywhere you want it. As a result, your flock of 8 birds will have fresh grass to scratch and more bugs to eat. In brief, one side has two sturdy handles that allow you to lift and push it to the desired location in your backyard.
Source: Mobile Chicken Coop PDF by EasyCoops
3. Walk-In Chicken Coop
Source: Walk-In Chicken Coop Plan by EasyCoops
Finally, among all beginner-friendly chicken coop ideas, this design allows you to walk in to check on your birds. Furthermore, to ensure the safety and health of your flock, it features predator-proof design. With a footprint of 20′ x 9′, you’d need slightly bigger space in your backyard for this plan.
4. Country Chicken Coop Idea
With 21 pages of plans and step-by-step instructions, even a beginner will have no problem building this country-style coop. Instantly, you can have a flock of 12 birds and a good supply of free-range eggs right from your backyard.
5. Simple Chicken Coop Plans
Source: FREE PDF Plan by EasyCoops
As shown, this simple chicken coop plan provides a safe space for the flock of 10 birds with a small footprint of 4′ x 6′. Check out the beginner-friendly FREE version of the plan to build your backyard haven for spring chicks.
6. Bird’s Paradise Tall Coop
Source: Tall Chicken Coop by EasyCoops
Tall yet small, this narrow chicken coop could fit in a corner of your backyard. When finished, the coop can hold up to 10 chickens. Furthermore, its gable-style roof and overall height allow for the installation of more roosting bars.
7. Elevated Chicken Run Plan
Meticulously crafted for ease of use by beginner DIYer, these plans provide a comprehensive blueprint with detailed instructions. As a result, you’ll have a rewarding building experience from start to finish. This elevated run chicken coop idea provides more safety for the flock. Perfect for flood-prone areas.
Source: Elevated Run Coop by EasyCoops
8. Cheap Chicken Coop Ideas
Source: Budget-Friendly by EasyCoops
This budget-friendly project lets you build a backyard coop for 6 chickens. Not a bad start if you need to host a small flock of 6 birds. Ultimately, with a footprint of 9 sq. ft., it is suitable for people with a small yard (& budget) who yearn to produce free-range eggs in their backyard.
9. A-Frame Coop
Are you fond of A-frames? Many DIYers prefer A-frame design ideas as they are easy to build, budget-friendly, and portable, in case of coops. As illustrated, the coop will provide a home to 6 chickens, a fenced aviary, and nesting boxes to hold the eggs.
10. Garden Shed Chicken Coop
Source: Garden Shed Coop by EasyCoops
Looking for more chicken coop ideas? A garden shed can provide your small backyard flock with a cozy place to lay eggs. The height provides plenty of space for installation of roosting bars and nesting boxes. Furthermore, you should pay attention to proper ventilation for heat regulation.
11. Greenhouse Chicken Coop Idea
FREE PDF Greenhouse Coop Plan by EasyCoops
This chicken coop resembles a greenhouse in its shape and design. A classic arc-style roof makes this coop a great addition to any rural neighborhood. Moreover, this design offers ample ventilation for proper air circulation. As a result, it makes it suitable for poultry farmers in hot regions.
12. Modern Walk-In Coop
Source: Modern Chicken Coop by EasyCoops
Among all chicken coop ideas, this one is our team’s favorite. Designed to house up to 16 chickens, it boasts a spacious run, sturdy construction, and plenty of roosting bars/nesting boxes. Moreover, the design combines practicality with the latest modern trends.
Compare Free vs Premium Plans
If you are wondering what the difference is between FREE PDFs and paid premium versions provided by EasyCoops, there is a page in each plan comparing the two. In summary, the premium version offers:
- additional illustrations
- more blueprints
- tools list
- fastening elements list
- technical support.
13. Multi-Level DIY Coop
Source: DIY Plans by EasyCoops
This compact DIY plan was designed to provide not only a safe place for chickens but also a focal point of interest for your backyard. With intermediate difficulty due to its hexagonal shape, the coop has everything you need to raise a safe, happy, and healthy flock of ten chickens.
14. Cottage-Style Plan for DIY Coop
Disguised as a cottage-style playhouse, this DIY coop plan is geared towards more experienced woodworkers due to its intermediate difficulty. As a result, its interior is perfectly suited for a flock of 12 chickens with nesting boxes, roosts, and other essentials. Notably, the chicken coop design is sturdy enough to keep predators and other threats away.
Looking for more DIY Chicken Coop Ideas? You can find more ideas right HERE.
After exploring all these chicken coop ideas, are you ready to roll up your sleeves and embark on your DIY backyard project? Now it’s time to discuss some other important things to consider before you start building.
Useful CutMaster App for Woodworkers
Do you want to create optimal cut sheets? CutMaster app finds the most optimal way to arrange your components on a 4×8 sheet. It will auto-manage adding sheets, arrange pieces based on desired grain direction, and produce a cut list for you to follow.
Choosing the Right Location
When choosing the right location for your chicken coop, there are a few key factors to consider. Firstly, you’ll want to select a spot that will receive plenty of sunlight throughout the day. Thus you ensure that your feathered friends are warm and comfortable.
Additionally, check that the location is well-drained to prevent any standing water. Finally, consider proximity to your home for easy access and monitoring of your chickens.
Do You Need a Permit for Chicken Coop?
As the rules differ by locality, check with your zoning and building departments if chicken coops are legal in your neighborhood. Some Home Owner Associations (HOAs) have very strict rules and regulations.
As a result, you will need a building permit to build, alter, move, repair, or modify the use of any building or structure, including chicken coops.
On the negative side, the zoning codes are often less permissive in urban residential districts. On the positive side, many localities are easing the rules to allow more chickens in the backyards of residential areas.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, constructing a chicken coop is not only achievable for beginners but also a rewarding DIY project. By selecting the right location, designing a suitable layout, ensuring proper ventilation, and choosing the right materials and tools, you can create a functional and appealing home for your chicks.
As a reward, you’ll have a good supply of free-range eggs for your table while giving your garden much-needed organic fertilizer.
Start building your coop today and soon you may experience the joy of collecting your first basket of eggs. So unleash your inner carpenter and get started on your DIY chicken coop journey.
