When it comes to building anything, we are far from experienced. However, purchasing a pre-built chicken coop and run of the size we needed would have been extremely expensive.
Instead, we decided to take on the challenge and create a functional and budget-friendly coop and run ourselves. After researching various coop designs, we developed a simple plan that we believed would be easy to build.
Why This Plan Works
- Cost-Effective: Buying a new, pre-made coop and run can be costly, but building our own allowed us to save significantly.
- Customizable: By constructing it ourselves, we tailored the design to suit our available space and the needs of our chickens.
- Beginner-Friendly: Although we had little experience, we designed the structure to be straightforward and manageable.
- Portable Design: We avoided using concrete for the posts, making it easier to relocate the coop if necessary.
What You Will Need
- H3 Treated Timber: 4 x 100×75 posts
- Decking Nails
- 50×75 Rails (cut to 3m and 1.8m lengths)
- Galvanized Wire Netting: Hexagonal 25mm and 50mm
- Treated Plywood: 7mm thick
- Offcuts and Decking Wood (for internal structures)
- Roosting Bars: 2x4s (1m in length)
- Ladder Materials (for chicken access to roosting bars)
- Pine Shavings and Hay (for flooring and nesting boxes)
- Plastic Roofing Material (for weatherproofing)
- Feeder and Waterer (mounted on a triangular plywood piece)
How to Build
Step 1: Constructing the Run Frame
We began by digging the four 100x75mm treated timber posts about 500mm into the ground. Instead of using concrete, we simply secured them in the dirt, which allows for future adjustments if needed.
Next, we attached the 50x75mm rails, cutting them to 3m and 1.8m lengths. Using decking nails, we secured them together to form a rectangular frame. Due to our uneven ground, the frame wasn’t perfectly level, but we adjusted as best as we could.
Step 2: Installing Wire Mesh for Security
To protect our chickens, we wrapped the lower half of the run with 25mm hexagonal galvanized wire netting. For the upper half and the roof, we used 50mm hexagonal wire netting. This setup keeps predators out while ensuring proper airflow. Our pets were particularly curious during this stage, constantly watching our progress!
Step 3: Building the Coop Structure
For the coop, we repurposed offcuts and decking wood for the internal framework. The exterior was covered with 7mm thick treated plywood. The coop dimensions are:
- Height: 1.2m
- Width: 1m
- Length: 1.2m (including the nesting box area)
Inside the coop, we installed pine shavings on the floor and hay in the nesting boxes for comfort.
Step 4: Designing Nesting Boxes and Roosting Bars
We built a simple three-box nesting area using offcuts. To provide comfortable roosting options, we added two roosting bars (1m in length) at heights of 45cm and 60cm. Due to limited space inside the coop, we also created a small ladder that rests on the lower roost to help the chickens reach the upper bar.
Step 5: Ventilation and Weatherproofing
For ventilation, we left a small opening near the top of the coop, covering it with chicken wire. However, we were unsure if this would be sufficient and planned to seek advice from more experienced chicken keepers.
We encountered an issue with rainwater leaking inside the coop. Initially, we tried covering the top with black plastic material, but it didn’t work as well as we hoped. As a solution, we added plastic roofing material on top, which we are currently testing for effectiveness.
Step 6: Setting Up the Feeder and Waterer
To keep the feeding area dry and clean, we mounted the feeder and waterer on an offcut triangular plywood piece in a corner of the run. Additional scrap wood was used to build a small sheltered area to further protect the feed and water from wind and rain.
Note: If you live in an area with heavy rainfall, consider adding more weather-resistant roofing material or adjusting the shelter design.
Other Details Display
- Run Dimensions: 3m long x 2m wide x 2m high
- Coop Flooring: Covered with pine shavings for cleanliness and comfort
- Nesting Boxes: Three simple compartments made from repurposed wood
- Roosting Bars: Positioned at different heights for easy access
- Feeder & Waterer Location: Sheltered under a plywood structure
- Ventilation: High-level opening covered with wire mesh
- Weatherproofing: Plastic roofing added to prevent leaks
Summary
Building a DIY chicken coop and run was a rewarding experience, allowing us to save money while creating a secure and functional space for our flock.
Although we faced some challenges with uneven ground and rainproofing, we adapted as needed. This project proves that even beginners can build a sturdy and practical chicken coop with a bit of creativity and determination!
This plan is a contribution by [JayneD].
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.
