Backyard Chicken Coop Plans

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August 19, 2015

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.

Projects made from these plans

DIY 4×8 Chicken Coop

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 Building a chicken coop

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 – 8 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 51″ 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

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

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 Building the door

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.

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 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 .

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 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.

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 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.

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.
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POSTED IN » Animals, Chicken Coop

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