Wanted, a simple, do it yourself chicken coop

[CheerfulHeart2]

Use this link to see coops on BYC https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html . Click on the size category that interests you. Then scroll down and click on the coops that catch your fancy. Many will have plans or at least enough info to re-create. You can also PM the designers with questions. And right now you can see the coop contest winners here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3454067#p3454067

 

[OverEggstended]

I found one!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.i4at.org/surv/poultry.htm

 

[chickcritty]

I'm building this coop I found on buildeazy.com

http://www.buildeazy.com/chicken_coop_metric_1.html

Except I'm modifying it to be 6x8 instead of 6x6. I think you can easily increase the size of it to suit your needs. The plans are free but if you want to download an advertisement free version it will cost you $5

 

[Omran]

If you are up to 50 miles from shelby county KY I will come andhelp you for free with your coop, unfortunately I really don't make any plans when I build .

 

[DIMBY]

Putting in my 2 cents, there are lots of designs here on backyardchickens.com. I chose white poly pipe for my frame for the run -- and no regrets. It was easy, fairly cheap and everything went together in a day. For my coop, with only seven chickens, I used an old shop bench for the floor, kept the legs to give the coop a platform (and the chickens just love it underneath, great shade and protection from the weather during the day) and then simply cut and screwed plywood together. I used old closet doors for the roof and one side. I'm 57, and did it by myself (hubby disabled). Here are some pictures right after it was completed last spring. The nesting boxes are on the other side, with hinged doors.

However, here's a goof - I didn't make the run tall enough, so a couple of months after this shot was taken, I bought more poly pipe and raised it 2 feet. Again, the poly pipe made it super easy and cheap to add on - just cut and add more connectors, just like the ol' erector sets we used to play with as kids!

the next pix shows another goof, I made the perch too high - plus, as an afterthought, I cut in a window on the side so I could peak in.

Another great thing about this website? Lots of Lessons Learned to keep you from making the same mistakes!

However, this spring I have to figure out a more permanent roof system. We had too much snow this winter, so I need to figure out how to add a slanted roof (and material to use, too)...more fun, more $$$ for the babies. Nothing is too much, right?

 

[team_realtree]

Build this over a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Keep everything 4x8 so standard sheets will fit. I just built this on the weekend and it cost me 200 bucks in materials for a coop big enough to house more chickens than I want. This is as simple as it gets. Build that frame in the image then panel it off with ply wood put some sort of roof and make a door.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/coops/images/IMG_0078_sized_jpg.jpg

 

[They Call Me Pete]

I like the Purina one. Maybe build another coop for bantams. Outta room in current coop

 

[PineappleMama]

I'd say to go check the Coop Contest... link at the top or https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3454067#p3454067

Some have more detailed plans than others, but there were a lot of really awesome designs so may be worth a peek.

 

[KathyK]

I'm looking for plans/ideas for a portable coop to attach to a chain-link dog run. Want to keep it all movable. I'm willing to detach the coop from the run to move it if needed. I still don't know if it should be raised or use litter on the ground. I need LOTS of ventilation or even removable sides due to the extreme heat of central Texas. Thinking of 6 hens. Please send me links to your BYC page if you think your coop ideas will help. Will the chickens be okay with a 3 sided coop in nice weather? Or do they not like to roost in the semi-open? Do the nest boxes need ventilation also? I don't want the eggs cooked before I collect them.

I will be covering the bottom 3' of the run and coop with additional hardware cloth and using more for an apron to prevent digging. And covering the top of the run with netting for the plentiful hawks.
Thanks

 

[possumqueen]

Hey, KathyK,

Chickens don't mind roosting in the open at all, as long as they can get up off the ground. You might consider not building a coop at all. Just hang a roost at one end of your chain link pen, and put a piece of plywood over that, and hang some nest boxes on the fence. click on "coop designs" at the top of this page, and look at some of the ones built in Florida and Arizona. They've got lots of hot weather ideas!