Raising chickens for fresh, organic, and cruelty-free eggs is an incredibly rewarding experience. However, many aspiring chicken owners are deterred by the initial cost and the ongoing maintenance of a proper coop. We’ve created a solution that combines sustainability, affordability, and convenience: an automated, upcycled chicken coop that meets all your egg production needs without breaking the bank.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of building your own chicken coop using recycled materials, keeping it eco-friendly and budget-friendly. Whether you’re a first-time chicken keeper or looking to upgrade your current setup, this plan offers flexibility and scalability to fit your needs.
Key Considerations Before You Begin:
Before we dive into the construction process, let’s take a moment to discuss some important factors you need to consider when planning your chicken coop.
1. Chicken Breed and Coop Size
The size of your chicken coop is largely determined by the number and breed of chickens you plan to keep. Each breed has different space requirements, so it’s important to account for this when designing your coop.
- Heavy Breeds (e.g., Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Australorp): These breeds are typically used for meat production and require around 4 square feet per chicken.
- Light Breeds (e.g., White Leghorn, Minorca, Appenzeller): These breeds need about 3 square feet per chicken.
- Small Breeds (e.g., Rosecomb Bantam, Sebrights): These breeds only need 2 square feet per chicken.
For our design, the coop will comfortably house up to 4 medium-sized laying hens. However, you can easily scale the design up or down depending on the breed and number of chickens you decide to raise. The key takeaway is that there can never be too much space in a chicken coop, but there can definitely be too little!
2. Ventilation and Heat Control
Chickens are particularly sensitive to excess heat and moisture, so it’s crucial to ensure proper ventilation in your coop. Without good airflow, the interior can become too hot and humid, leading to health problems for your chickens. We’ll discuss the specifics of ventilation in the construction process below.
Recommended Tools:
Before you begin building, gather the following tools:
- Measuring Tape – for accurate dimensions.
- Power Drill/Screwdriver – for assembling the frame.
- Miter Saw/Hand Saw – for cutting wood.
- Hammer – for driving nails.
Step 1: Building the Frame
The frame of your chicken coop is the foundation for everything else. This step involves constructing the floor, structural beams, and braces that will provide stability to the entire structure.
A. Floor Construction: For the base, we used three 3-foot-long 2x4s and two 4-foot-long 2x4s, secured with four L-brackets. The outer beams were placed on the 3-foot side, which is particularly useful for coops larger than 3’x2′. We stapled hardware wire to the frame to prevent predators from getting inside.
B. Structural Beams: To build the structural frame, we used two 4-foot-long 2x4s and two 3-foot-long 2x4s. The beams were cut at angles with a circular saw to ensure they fit securely.
C. Raising the Floor: The floor of the coop was raised 1.5 feet off the ground. This elevates the coop to minimize moisture absorption from the soil and prevents predators from burrowing underneath to access your chickens.
D. Wall Studs and Ceiling Joists: The wall studs were attached to the frame using L-brackets, and extra trimmings were added to secure the hardware cloth, ensuring there were no gaps where feathers or waste could collect. The ceiling joists were cut to size to complete the basic frame.
Step 2: Installing the Roosting Bars
Chickens need a place to sleep at night, and that’s where the roosting bars come in. Each chicken needs about 10 inches of roosting space. For our coop, we used two wooden closet rods, which were cut in half and angled to fit snugly between the walls and studs.
To further support the roosts, we used triangular pieces of scrap wood from earlier cuts and secured them at the intersections where the rods meet the walls.
Step 3: Building the Walls
The walls of the chicken coop are critical for keeping your chickens safe and secure. We used four 2x4s to create the frame for the walls, cutting two pieces at 26.5 inches and two at 14 inches, all at angles for better fit. After securing the basic structure, we added wall panels. Since we had smaller-sized pieces, we used trimmings to seal any gaps.
We then installed two hinged doors—one near the nesting boxes and the other on the opposite side. Ventilation openings (approximately 6×12 inches) were placed on opposite walls to encourage cross-ventilation, which helps maintain airflow and temperature regulation.
Note: It’s best to install the vents before you add the walls, as it makes the process easier. Also, remember to position the doors for easy access when cleaning and collecting eggs.
Step 4: Installing Nesting Boxes
Nesting boxes are a must-have for any chicken coop, as they provide a safe and private space for hens to lay their eggs. We built the structure for the nesting boxes to specific dimensions, then hinged the front panel for easy access. Latches were added to keep the panel secure.
We also used scrap materials to reinforce the nesting boxes, ensuring they were solidly attached to the coop.
Step 5: Creating the Drawer System
A key feature of our chicken coop design is the automated drawer system. This system makes it easier to clean out the coop and collect eggs without disturbing the chickens too much.
For the drawer supports, we used two 45-inch 2x4s and three 32-inch 2x4s, fixed about 1 inch below the floor. We created two smaller drawers, rather than one large one, to make them easier to manage. Each drawer was covered with a water-resistant metallic sheet to prevent wood rot and make cleaning easier.
Tip: Don’t forget to add handles to your drawers for easy access!
Step 6: Assembling the Coop and Adding the Roof
Once the drawers were completed, we assembled the entire structure, securing the roof in place. Shingles were added to the roof to provide protection against the elements. After everything was assembled, we gave the coop a fresh coat of paint to protect the wood and improve its appearance.
Additional Automation Features:
To take your chicken coop to the next level, consider adding some automation for ease of care. Here are a few ideas to make your coop even more efficient:
- Automatic Chicken Watering System: Use upcycled water bottles to create an easy-to-maintain watering system.
- Automatic Chicken Feeder: Utilize upcycled gutters and metal pieces to build an automatic feeding system.
- Automated Chicken Coop Door: Install an automatic door that opens and closes based on the time of day.
- Automatic Misting System: Keep your chickens cool during hot weather by adding a misting system.
Final Thoughts:
Building your own chicken coop doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. By using upcycled materials and following a clear step-by-step plan, we’ve created a functional and automated coop that meets all our needs for sustainable and affordable egg production. Plus, with the added automation features, it’s easier than ever to keep our chickens happy and healthy.
With your new chicken coop in place, all that’s left to do is enjoy the fresh eggs your hens will provide—and maybe reward yourself with some of those eggs for a delicious breakfast!
Project Via Instructables – Get the PDF Instructions here.
Joseph Hudson has been raising chickens for over 15 years. In 2018, he completed the Agriculture & Natural Resources program at Mt. San Antonio College. He currently raises over 1400 chickens on his 7.5-hectare farm. He keeps sharing his experience on raising healthy and happy chickens on Chicken Scratch The Foundry.
