Who would have thought that you could build a chicken coop within an hour? Yes, you got it right! Now let’s see how to build a chicken coop.Â
And this is just one of the chicken coop ideas you can find on this website.
Interestingly, you like this idea as you may want to raise your backyard chicken. Building an inexpensive coop is an easy-peasy activity, but raising the chicken needs a full-time commitment. They, too, are living things. They need to be sheltered and fed, to thrive and multiply.
There are many online blueprints available to help one decide on what type of coop they can build. And almost everyone who has a common interest, finds the budget to be one of the culprits why simple projects do not prosper.
My husband and I read an article on how to build a chicken coop, and we tried to build it for only $50. The world is still in a pandemic, and we cannot just simply go out and look for fancy materials to set up the coop. Since we live in a rural area where bamboo is locally available, we decided to make it from bamboo, and not from wood (which is also very expensive nowadays). We have some stuff that we can upcycle for as roofing and siding – used galvanized sheets and extra-nets from our garden, previously used as perimeter fence to prevent bugs and flies from entering.
Should I Raise Chicken At Home?
There are plenty of reasons to enjoy raising chickens in your backyard. First of all, fresh eggs are a favorite for breakfast and additionally, they bring flavor to dishes and pastries. Moreover, chicken meat is versatile and works well in a variety of meals, which makes it a reliable source of food.
If that’s not enough, selling poultry products like fresh eggs or meat—whether cooked or pre-cured—can also provide a great source of extra income. For those committed to zero-waste living, chicken by-products make excellent compost material.
On top of that, raising chickens is a healthy, sustainable, and eco-friendly practice. When you allow them to roam free-range, they become helpful garden companions by eating worms and bugs that could potentially harm your plants.
Build a Chicken Coop: Location Matters
Your location plays a big role in whether you can raise chickens in your backyard. To begin with, check if your neighborhood allows it. If it does, find out if there are limits on the number of chickens you can keep. Understanding the rules upfront can save you time, money, and effort, especially if raising chickens isn’t permitted.
Once you’ve confirmed it’s allowed, decide where to set up your coop. Choose a spot that makes cleaning and maintenance easy, while also keeping predators out. For instance, high or slightly elevated ground works best to prevent flooding. Additionally, avoid placing the coop near tall, bushy plants, as they can block your view and provide predators with a hiding spot. Ultimately, protecting your chickens is essential—you don’t want to lose them!
How To Build a Chicken Coop: Design is Important
Do you have enough space to build a chicken coop? No matter what materials you choose, make sure it meets the basic needs. It should include a feeder, a water container, a roosting area, and a nesting box for hens to lay eggs.
We considered our available space and kept the neighbors in mind. We built a simple, low-budget coop that was sturdy enough to protect the chickens from predators. It also kept them from roaming freely and damaging nearby plants. This setup worked well for us without breaking the bank.
Related:Â 10 Common Mistakes You Should Avoid If You Want To Raise Chickens
The Size Of The Chicken Coop
When building a coop from scratch, we often neglect to consider the size requirements. However, the size of the enclosure is vital to the health and performance of the chickens. In fact, some studies mention the specific coop size requirement for most chicken breeds.
Typically, a coop needs at least three square feet of room per bird if outdoor range space is available. Nevertheless, it is wise for backyard chicken raisers to provide about three to five square feet per bird, especially to accommodate larger breeds and ensure they can move freely inside. Moreover, when you opt to raise chickens with outdoor range, it’s safe to allow eight to ten square feet of room per bird.
Materials Needed
While there are varied material options to use—such as pallets, plywood, hard-mesh wire, and more—you can still assess which one might look better, while most materials can function similarly for building a coop. Additionally, upcycling items from your yard can help you significantly reduce the costs of building the structure.
On the other hand, many coop designs are not only beautiful but also sturdy; however, they often end up leaving you frustrated by their high cost. Therefore, take a look around your junkyard—you might be surprised by how many things in there can be repurposed into something valuable.
Protection
It’s important to know the possible threats to your backyard chickens. For example, your location might have dogs, coyotes, snakes, raccoons, and other animals that could endanger the life of your chickens. Therefore, consider these predators when choosing the materials to use for building your coop.
If you live in a neighborhood that is relatively close to other houses, you might want to build a more sturdy and safe coop that can withstand predators. In this way, you won’t end up constantly rebuilding your coop.
How To Build a Chicken Coop: Design & Planning
Raising chickens takes real commitment, but it’s a rewarding journey. Growing your own food is fulfilling, and building a coop adds an extra sense of accomplishment. Don’t let expensive materials or high costs discourage you. Get creative and resourceful. Let your imagination work within your budget.
First, decide on the coop size. Think about your budget, how many chickens you want to start with, and your future plans. Will you grow your flock or just replace older hens as their egg production slows? Make sure the coop has enough space for the chickens to move freely and stay comfortable.
Next, sketch your plan. Write down the design with measurements on paper. A clear blueprint will help you adjust and fine-tune the details as you move forward.
Focus on ventilation when planning the structure. Good airflow keeps chickens cool, prevents suffocation, and helps avoid sickness. Proper ventilation is key to maintaining their health and comfort.
Now, let’s get started on building a coop for your backyard. We’ll use scrap materials from the junkyard and unused items you may already have for your garden. This approach keeps costs low while giving old materials a new purpose.
Materials You Need
Design: 4 square meter
Tools: hammer, scale tape, saw, sharp bolo, mallet, chisel
Materials:
- Three-ply sheets: Galvanized Corrugated Iron Sheets 1m x 3m
- Two poles: Whole Bamboo Poles 2.5 m in length
- 9m x 2m x 2m mesh net (we used recycled garden net)
- Two poles: Whole Bamboo poles 2.0 m in length
- Two poles cut in halves: Bamboo poles in halves 2.25 m in length
- #2.5 Common and Umbrella Nails + #1 Common Nails
- Whole Bamboo Poles 2m in length used for base flooring
- Bamboo Stakes 2m x 5cm (flooring)
How to Build a Chicken Coop Step-by-Step
Homesteading enthusiasts often find raising backyard chickens both fun and rewarding. It gives you the chance to produce your own food. Deciding on how to build a chicken coop design and gathering materials can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure how to find inexpensive options or approach it as a DIY project.
If aesthetics matter most, you might spend over a hundred dollars. These days, you can buy ready-made or custom coops, but they can cost hundreds of dollars. However, building your own coop from scratch with affordable materials doesn’t require expert skills. With some basic tools and determination, you can turn it into an enjoyable DIY project.
When you’re ready, grab your blueprint and start gathering materials and tools. This budget-friendly chicken coop idea may not be new to you, but it shares the same goal: to create a simple, low-cost coop. It’s a frugal way to provide a safe and functional space for your chickens.
Related:Â Better Than Chickens?
Since we live in an area where we can have access to bamboo, as mentioned at the beginning of the article, we choose to use it instead of wood lumbers. To start with, gather all the tools and materials listed above.
Dig in four holes equidistant to each other at 2 meters intervals with a depth of one foot. The four 1-foot hole depths are enough to firmly hold each structural post of the coop and prevent swinging and moving the whole structure as you nail down other materials.
Bamboo poles as posts.
Pole on top used as roofing support.
Roosting area.
You don’t have to complicate things in building a chicken coop. For a very frugal way of making it, at least the essentials are being provided. Chicken coop requires a waterer, a roosting place, and nesting. Make it simple yet fully functional.
Putting on the recycled garden net.
Installing the removable flooring, enough to elevate the chicken, getting rid of possible flooding.
This DIY chicken coop that will cost you less than $50.
At the bottom, use small bamboo pegs to lock the net and prevent the chicken from escaping the coop. The mesh nets are just simply hooked through nails. One can get in or get out by unhooking the edge of the net. It serves as an entrance.
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6 Small Animals You Can Raise On Your Property
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5 Ways To Power Your Homestead
How To Make A Water Pump In Your Backyard
This article wasn’t written by a native English speaker and/or could have used a thorough proofread. Some sentences were fairly incomprehensible but I got the drift.
Please check your product before disseminating.
Bethany, you’re such a loser. I bet you didn’t even manage to build a chicken coop.