Backyard chickens are the best investment in food security you can make. Here's how to build a coop that keeps them safe and productive year-round.
Why Backyard Chickens?
Six laying hens produce 4-6 eggs per day — that's 1,500-2,000 eggs per year. At $4-6/dozen for quality eggs, that's $500-1,000 worth of eggs annually. The coop pays for itself in 2-3 years, and the eggs are fresher and more nutritious than anything you'll find in a store.
The Predator Problem
The number one killer of backyard chickens is predators. Raccoons, foxes, opossums, hawks, and neighborhood dogs will all kill chickens given the opportunity. A poorly built coop is a death trap.
- Hardware cloth (not chicken wire) — 1/2" galvanized hardware cloth on all openings
- Buried apron — 12" of hardware cloth buried horizontally around the perimeter, or 12" vertical below grade
- Secure latches — raccoons can open simple latches; use carabiner clips or two-step latches
- Solid roof — hawks attack from above
- No gaps larger than 1/2" anywhere
The Design: 4x8 Coop with 8x16 Run
- Coop interior: 4 sq ft per bird minimum = 24 sq ft. A 4x8 coop is ideal.
- Run: 10 sq ft per bird minimum = 60 sq ft. An 8x8 run is the minimum; 8x16 is better.
Materials List
- (4) 4x4x8 posts
- (2) 2x4x8 top plates
- (1) sheet 3/4" plywood (floor)
- (4) sheets 1/2" plywood (walls)
- Metal roofing panels
- 1/2" hardware cloth for windows
- Exterior screws, hinges, latches
- (8) 4x4x8 posts
- 2x4 framing lumber
- 1/2" galvanized hardware cloth (100 sq ft)
- Gate hardware
Key Features to Include
Nesting boxes: One box per 3-4 hens. Build them 12x12x12" with a sloped roof to prevent roosting on top. Mount them 18" off the floor.
Roost bars: Chickens sleep on roost bars, not the floor. Install 2x4 bars (flat side up) at least 18" off the floor, with 12" of space per bird.
Ventilation: Critical for health. Install vents near the roofline on all four sides — 1 sq ft of ventilation per 10 sq ft of floor space minimum. Cover with hardware cloth.
Cleanout door: Make the floor removable or install a large cleanout door. You'll be cleaning this coop weekly — make it easy.
Automatic door: A $50-80 automatic chicken door opener is one of the best investments you can make. It opens at dawn and closes at dusk, keeping your birds safe without requiring you to be home at specific times.
The Build Process
Build the coop floor first on sawhorses, then raise the walls, then add the roof. Build the run separately and attach it to the coop. Bury the hardware cloth apron last.
Paint or stain all exterior wood with exterior paint. Treat the interior with food-safe mineral oil or leave it bare — chickens will peck at painted surfaces.
Total cost: $400-600 in materials. Total time: one weekend for an experienced builder, two weekends for a first-timer.
