Most people think a chicken coop is a simple enclosed area where chickens spend their days pecking at the ground, flapping their wings, and clucking. However, a well-designed enclosure provides a much more controlled environment for your flock.
How to make a chicken coop? To make a chicken coop, use materials such as pallets, PVC, cardboard, or scrap wood. Based on your needs, it’s possible to design movable, temporary, ark, or simple hen houses.
Read on for more descriptions of how to build different types of hen houses.
How to Build a Chicken Coop for Beginners?
To build a chicken coop for beginners:
Step 1: Decide on a location.
Step 2: Build the frame and attach it to the ground or wall.
Step 3: Cover with wire mesh or chicken wire for protection from predators, such as coyotes.
Step 4: Add nesting boxes for laying eggs in, perches for roosting at night, and food/water stations.
Step 5: Finish by adding shavings or straw to keep chickens warm during the winter months.
How to Build a Chicken Coop Out of Pallets?
To build a chicken coop out of pallets:
Step 1: Select the location for your coop.
Step 2: Create the coop frame by assembling the pallets on their sides and stacking them on top of each other to form a square.
Step 3: Secure by placing boards across the open ends and cover with wire mesh using nails or screws.
Step 4: Add insulation using straw, hay, wood shavings, or old newspapers.
Step 5: Cover up gaps between pallets using pieces of plywood trimmed to fit between.
How to Build a Small Chicken Coop?
To build a small chicken coop:
Step 1: Find a spot to put the coop.
Step 2: Measure and cut wood pieces with a saw.
Step 3: Screw or nail boards together.
Step 4: Add walls to the inside of the frame you made.
Step 5: Put insulation on all sides of the walls.
Step 6: Cut two openings on the front of your coop and attach pieces of wood across them to make a window and door.
How to Build a Simple Chicken Coop?
To build a simple chicken coop:
Step 1: Decide on the size of your chicken coop.
Step 2: Plan out where you want to place it in your yard.
Step 3: Gather materials for construction.
Step 4: Build the frame for the coop by attaching boards with nails and screws.
Step 5: Add a roof made from plywood or tarps.
Step 6: Line the inside walls with cedarwood or other material that will keep pests at bay.
How to Make a Chicken Coop With Cardboard?
To make a chicken coop with cardboard:
Step 1: Find a cardboard box.
Step 2: Cut the top off of the box.
Step 3: Measure and cut two pieces of cardboard to fit inside the bottom of your box. Make sure one piece is lower than the other so you can slide it in from underneath.
Step 4: Tape them together with duct tape or packing tape on all four sides, making sure to cover up any openings that may be leftover.
Step 5: Use some wire cutters to trim off any excess cardboard sticking out from around your door opening on each side.
Step 6: To make the door, cut two pieces of cardboard to fit across the opening. Use sharp scissors to make slits at the top of each piece and slide them into your box.
Step 7: To make a latch for the door, cut two pieces of cardboard and use wire to attach them to the door and the opposite side of your box.
Step 8: Trim off any excess cardboard around your door to finish it off.
How to Make a Chicken Coop Out of PVC Pipe?
To make a chicken coop out of PVC pipe:
Step 1: Identify a suitable location.
Step 2: Lay down four pieces of pipe on top of each other with two perpendicular pipes at one end.
Step 3: Add three more pieces on top, so you have six total pipes in a row, then add another perpendicular piece at the opposite end.
Step 4: Connect all 18 joints using T-joints and elbows to create an enclosed space for your chickens.
Step 5: Cover any gaps between the pipes with mesh wire or chicken wire to protect against predators.
How to Make a Mobile Chicken Coop?
To make a mobile chicken coop:
Step 1: Build a frame from 2x4s.
Step 2: Add wheels to the bottom of the frame.
Step 3: Place wire mesh over the top for protection and ventilation.
Step 4: Use plywood to create a door on one side of the coop and add hinges.
Step 5: Fill in any gaps with wood or scrap pieces so that no predators can get inside.
Step 6: Paint your new movable chicken coop!
How to Attach Hardware Cloth to a Chicken Coop?
To attach hardware cloth to a chicken coop:
Step 1: Lay the chicken coop on its side.
Step 2: Cut a piece of hardware cloth to size and attach it to the bottom of the coop with staples or nails.
Step 3: Roll up the hardware cloth until it is flush against one side of the coop, then staple or nail in place.
Step 4: Attach another length of hardware cloth at an angle to create a V-shape along both sides, starting from where you left off in step 3.
Step 5: Staple or nail this new strip into place.
Step 6: Repeat steps 4 and 5 for all four sides until your wireframe is fully covered.
How to Make a Temporary Chicken Coop?
To make a temporary chicken coop:
Step 1: Cut plywood to the size you want your coop to be.
Step 2: Cut two pieces for the sides and four pieces for the roof out of plywood.
Step 3: Put screws in each corner of each piece and then screw them together with a drill.
Step 4: Cut two holes on either side (if they’re not already there) and put hinges on one end.
Step 5: Screw hinges onto the other end so that it can open up like a door.
Step 6: Place wire mesh over the top and create an entrance by cutting an opening on one side or both sides.
How to Build a Chicken Coop From Scrap Wood?
To build your chicken coop from scrap wood:
Step 1: Find the measurements for your coop based on how many chickens you want to house in it.
Step 2: Cut all the pieces of wood accordingly with the proper measurements.
Step 3: Nail or screw together each piece until they are fitted together tightly.
Step 4: Paint your chicken coop if desired (optional).
Step 5: Place some straw inside for bedding.
How to Build a Chicken Coop on Wheels?
To build a chicken coop on wheels:
Step 1: Find a sturdy, level piece of ground to build your coop on.
Step 2: Build the frame for the coop – use 2x4s or other sturdy wood.
Step 3: Put together the walls and roof with plywood or other materials.
Step 4: Attach wheels to the bottom of the frame – you can use casters or bigger wheels to get the job done.
Step 5: Add wire mesh over the top of the coop for protection, then use two-by-fours or other boards to create a door.
Step 6: Use hinges to attach the door so that it opens easily for your chickens.
How to Install a Metal Roof on a Chicken Coop?
To install a metal roof on a chicken coop:
Step 1: Measure the length and width of the coop.
Step 2: Cut out all of the old shingles from the top layer so that you have room for your new roof. When cutting out your shingles, be sure not to cut into any walls or windows with your saw – this could cause damage.
Step 3: Attach one side of your roof onto each side of the house by using screws and washers.
How to Make a Chicken Ark Coop?
To make a chicken ark coop:
Step 1: Find a level and sturdy space to build your coop on.
Step 2: For the base of the chicken ark, find a piece of plywood and cut it to the appropriate dimensions for your ark coop.
Step 3: Nail or screw together the base with wood screws.
Step 4: Attach the side of your ark to the plywood base with nails or screws – place these nails or screws on all four sides of the plywood.
Step 5: Cover the coop with wire mesh for protection from predators, such as coyotes.
Step 6: Add nesting boxes, perches, and food/water stations.
Step 7: Add a plywood roof and attach a door with hinges.
Related: Where to Buy Chicken Coops? | Check Before Buying!