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This step by step diy woodworking project is about backyard chicken coop plans. The project features instructions for building a nice chicken coop with a medium sized run. The best part of the project is that you can get the job done by yourself with common tools and adjust the size of the coop to suit your needs. The coop is large enough to host at least 4 chickens.
When buying the lumber, you should select the planks with great care, making sure they are straight and without any visible flaws (cracks, knots, twists, decay). Investing in cedar or other weather resistant lumber is a good idea, as it will pay off on the long run. Use a spirit level to plumb and align the components, before inserting the galvanized screws, otherwise the project won’t have a symmetrical look. If you have all the materials and tools required for the project, you could get the job done in about a day. See all my Premium Plans HERE.
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Backyard Chicken Coop Plans
Building-a-chicken-coop
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Cut & Shopping Lists
- A – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 96″ long, 2 pieces – 45″ long FRAME
- B – 8 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 72 1/4″ long POSTS
- C – 5 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 42″ long, 4 pieces – 19 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 11 3/4″ long, 1 piece – 39″ long SUPPORTS
- D – 1 piece of  3/4″ plywood – 22 1/2″x45″ long FLOOR
- E – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 22 1/2″x42″ long, 1 piece – 30″x46 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 12″x46 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 13 3/4″x46 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 42″x46 1/2″ long WALLS
- F – 4 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 43″ long, 4 pieces – 42″ long, 4 pieces – 18 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 30″ long, 2 pieces – 12″ long, 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 27″ long TRIMS
- G – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 42″ long, 4 pieces – 33 1/2″ long TOP SUPPORTS
- H – 8 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 27 3/4″ long RAFTERS
- I – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 27 3/4″x96″ long ROOFING
- J – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 42″ long, 2 pieces – 64 1/4″ long, 1 piece – 39″ long, 2 pieces – 50″ long DOOR
- 3 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
- 22 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 8 ft
- 4 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 8 ft
- 3 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
- hinges
- 100 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws
- 100 pieces of 1 1/4″ screws
- 2″ brad nails
- chicken wire
- tar paper, asphalt shingles
- wood glue, stain/paint
- wood filler
Tools
 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level
 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander
 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses
Time
 One day
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How to build a small chicken coop
Building-the-bottom-frame
The first step of the project is to build the base frame for the chicken coop. Use 2×4 lumber for the components. Mark the cut lines on the slats and get the job done with a circular saw. Drill pilot holes at both ends of the long slats and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the perpendicular components. Make sure the corners are right-angled and align the edges with attention.
Fitting-the-posts
Continue the project by attaching the 2×2 posts to the base frame. Drill pilot holes through the frame and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the vertical posts. Plumb the posts with a spirit level and make sure the corners are square.
Building the frame of the chicken coop
Next, you need to attach the supports to the chicken coop box. Cut the components from 2×2 lumber and drill pocket holes at both ends. Fit the components to the posts and secure them into place using 2 1/2″ screws. Make sure the corners are square and align the edges.
Building the front wall frame
Continue the project by framing the entrance of the chicken coop. Cut the components and drill pocket holes at both ends. Secure the components to the box frame and secure them into place using 2 1/2″ screws. Make sure the corners are square.
Building the back wall frame
Attach the support to the back of the chicken coop, as shown in the diagram. The component will support the back door of the chicken coop, so you can take the edges and clean the box.
Building the floor
Build the floor for the chicken coop from 3/4″ plywood. Make the cuts to the sheet of plywood using a circular saw. Take accurate measurements, otherwise the notches won’t be cut properly.
Attaching the floor
Fit the floor to the chicken coop. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 1/4″ screws through the floor into the frame of the chicken coop.
Fitting the sides
Attach the 3/4″ plywood sheet to the side of the chicken coop. Align the edges before inserting the 1 1/4″ screws into the frame.
Building-the-rafters
Build the rafters from 2×2 lumber. Cut one end of the rafters at 30 degrees and the other end at 60 degrees. Fit the rafters to the box and secure them into the using 2 1/2″ screws. Pre-drill the rafters before inserting the screws, to prevent the wood from splitting.
Attaching the back walls
Next, you need to attach the 3/4″ plywood sheets to the back of the chicken coop. Cut the components using the instructions from the diagram and lock them to the framing using 1 1/4″ screws. As you can notice in the plans, there is a small door to the back of the chicken coop, so you can have access to the nests. Use hinges to lock the piece of plywood to the back wall, but only after attaching the trims.
Building the front wall
Build the front wall from 3/4″ plywood. Drill a starting holes and cut out the entrance using a jigsaw. Smooth the edges thoroughly before locking the sheets to the frame. Align the edges and insert 1 1/4″ screws to lock the sheets into place.
Fitting the entrance trims
Add 1×2 trims to the door opening, in order to enhance the look of the chicken coop. Use 1 1/4″ brad nails and glue to lock the trims into place. Leave no gaps between the components.
Building the chicken run
Continue the backyard project by fitting the supports to the top of the chicken run. Cut the components from 2×2 lumber and drill pocket holes at both ends of the components. Fit the supports into place, align the edges, check if the corners are square and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock everything together tightly.
Fitting the coop trims
Next, attach 1×2 slats to the top of the chicken run. Use 1 1/4″ nails to secure the components into place.
Fitting the rafters
Attach the rest of the rafters to the top of the chicken run. Make sure you make accurate cuts and align the rafters properly, before locking them into place with screws.
Fitting the trims to the sides
Attach 1×3 trims to the sides of the chicken coop, to add character to your project. Use 1 1/4″ brad nails to secure the trims into place. Align the edges with attention and leave no gaps between the components.
Fitting the back trims
Attach 1×3 trims to the back of the chicken coop. Make sure you make accurate cuts for a professional result.
Building the door diagonal braces
Build the diagonal braces for the door.
Building-the-doors
Assemble the door from 2×2 lumber. Drill pilot holes through the top and bottom plates and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the vertical components. Attach the diagonal braces to the door, after making sure the corners are square. It would be a good idea to subtract 1/4-1/4″ from the components, as a clearance space, if you are not sure the door will fit perfectly into the opening.
Attaching the door
Fit the door to the opening and secure it to the studs using several hinges. Add a latch to lock the door tightly.
Fitting the roofing
Attach the plywood sheets to the rafters, as shown in the diagram. Use 1 1/4″ screws to secure the sheets to the rafters, after aligning them with attention.
Fitting the roof
Install roofing underlayment to the plywood sheets. Next, you need to install the asphalt shingles and the ridge cap. See here more about how to install the asphalt shingles.
Building the ladder
Build the ladder for the chicken coop from 1×10 lumber. Attach the 1×2 supports to the slat using 1 1/4″ brad nails. Use a spacer to create equal gaps between the supports.
Backyard chicken coop plans
Attach the ladder to the entrance. Next, you need to staple the chicken wire to the structure, as shown in the diagram.
Chicken coop plans
The chicken coop seen from another angle. You should notice the back door that gives you access to the nest.
How to build a chicken coop
Fill the holes and dents with wood putty and let it dry out for several hours. Use 120-200 grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. The best part of the project is that you can adjust the size of the chicken coop to suit your needs.
Top Tip: If you want to enhance the look of the project and to protect the chicken coop from decay, we recommend you to cover the components with paint or stain.
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This woodworking project was about backyard chicken coop plans. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our step by step projects. LIKE us on Facebook and Google + to be the first that gets out latest projects and to hep us keep adding free woodworking plans for you.
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