How to Build a Basic Chicken Coop

1.1 Clear the area where you want to build the shed and layout for the foundation. Use the below illustration as a guide.

1.2 For the foundation, dig four trenches that are at least 1′ wide and 1′ deep. If you live in a cold-weather region, you might need to dig down to the frostline; check with the local building department for specific requirements.

2.1 After excavating the trenches, fill them level with the ground with concrete. Allow the concrete to cure overnight.

2.2 Once the concrete has cured, mix up a batch of mortar and lay one layer of standard-sized bricks across the foundation. Trowel mortar between each brick, creating a ⅜-inch-wide mortar joint. You will need roughly 56 bricks for this step.

4.1 Build the top plates using 2×2 lumber. Cut two boards to 2′-9″, two boards cut to 2′- 10 1/2″ and three boards cut to 4′.

4.2 Connect the plates to the studs with 3″ screws.

4.3 Using a speed square or carpenter’s framing square, check the corners to make sure they are 90°.

5.1 Cut one 2×2 to 3’-9” to act as a floor joist for the elevated nesting loft, as shown below.

5.2 Fasten the joist to the loft’s floor frame 3″ screws.

7.1 Using 2×2 lumber, construct the rear wall frame, as shown in the drawing below. Cut two studs 2′ long for the right- and left-side rough opening for a window. Next, cut two 2x2s to 1’. long to serve as the rough sill and header in the window opening. Also cut one 2×2 to 10 1/2″ for a horizontal nailer.

7.2 Connect these 2x2s to the wall frame with 3″ screws.

7.3 Using a speed square or carpenter’s square, check the corners to make sure they are 90°.

8.1 Using 2×2 lumber, construct the left side wall frame, using the drawing below as a reference. You will need two vertical studs cut to 2′.

8.2 Attach the studs with 3″ screws.

8.3 Using a speed square or carpenter’s square, check the corners to make sure they are 90°.

10.1 Using 2×2 lumber, construct the front side wall frame, using the drawing below as reference. You will need one 2×2 stud cut to 2′, one 2×2 cut to 1′-9″ to form the litter tray header, and one 2×2 cut to 9 1/2 ̋ that will be the horizontal top plate.

10.2 Connect the 2x2s with 3″ screws.

10.3 Using a speed square or carpenter’s square, check the corners to make sure they are 90°.

11.1 Using 2×2 lumber, cut four rafters 2′ long and four rafters 5′ long according to the dimensions in the drawing below. Be sure to miter-cut one end of each rafter to 0 degrees to form the proper roof slope along the peak.

11.2 Also cut four 2×2 four collar ties to 1′-8″ long, which are used to support the rafters.

11.3 Then cut three 2×2s to 1′-2″ long to form the ridge board across the peak of the roof.

11.4 Connect the parts with 3″ screws.

13.1 Cut sheets of 3/8″ plywood siding for the front wall sheathing using the drawing below as a guide. Cut one piece to 3′ x 3′-5″, then cut out the openings for the litter tray and front door.

13.2 Secure the plywood to the wall frame with 1¼″ screws.

14.1 Cut sheet of 3/8″ plywood siding to 3′ x 3′-5″ for the back wall of the coop. Then, cut out the window opening.

14.2 Secure the plywood with 1¼″ screws.

15.1 Cut 3/8″ plywood siding for the left wall sheathing using the drawing below as a guide. Cut the piece to 2′-3 1/2″ x 4′-3/4″, then saw out an opening for the nesting box.

15.2 Secure the plywood with 1¼″ screws.

16.1 Cut sheet of 3/8″ plywood siding to 3′-3 1/2″ x 4′-3/4″ for the right wall sheathing using the drawing below as a guide. Then, cut out an opening for the coop’s main door.

16.2 Secure the plywood with 1¼″ screws.

17.1 Cut 5/8″ plywood for the nesting box using the drawing below as a guide. Cut one 1′ x 4′ piece for the horizontal top of the box; notch the top to fit around the studs. Next, cut two 1′ x 1′ pieces of plywood for the inner vertical partitions.

17.2 Secure the plywood with 2″ screws.

18.1 Cut 5/8″ plywood for the roof sheathing using the drawing below as a guide. Cut one piece to 2′-10 3/4″ x 5′-3″, one to 1′-7 1/4 ̋”x 5′-3″, and one to 2′-3″ x 4′-6″.

18.2 Secure the plywood with 2″ screws.

19.1 Build the frame of the chicken coop’s door using 2×2s. Cut two 2x2s to 1′-7 1/2″ for the vertical frame parts and two 2x2s to 1′-5 3/4″ for the horizontal parts. Also, cut a 2×2 cross brace to fit diagonally within the door frame, as shown in the drawing below. Fasten the parts together with 3″ screws. 

19.2 Next, cut a piece of 3/8″ plywood siding to 1′-7 1/2″ x 1′-8 3/4″ and attach it to the door frame with 1 1⁄4 in. screws.

19.3 Cut two triangular pieces of 1” thick rigid foam board to fit within the door frame. 

19.4 Then cut a piece of 5/8″ plywood to 1′-7 1/2″ x 1′-8 3/4″ and fasten it to the back of the door with 1 ¼ in. screws.

19.5 Install the door to the chicken coop with two hinges.

Then, attach an 8″ door pull (see nodes G, H).

Finish the doors installation by attaching 8″ door pull (see nodes G, H).

20.1 Using 2×2 lumber, assemble the outer frame for the window, as shown in the drawing below. Cut two 2x2s to 11 1/2″ for the horizontal parts and two 2x2s to 1′-3 1/2″ for the vertical parts. Cut half-lap corner joints into the frame parts and rout a rabbet into each part to receive the glass pane.

20.2 Glue and screw the window frame together, then set the glass pane into the rabbet and secure it with wood beading and 1/2″ galvanized nails.

20.3 Insert the window into the wall opening and fasten it with 3″ wood.

21.1 Using 1×2 lumber, cut two fascia boards to 4′ long and fasten them across the ends of the roof rafters with 2″ screws.

22.1 Use metal snips to cut aluminum drip-edge flashing to fit around the perimeter of the roof. You will need about 28′ to cover the entire roof.

22.2 Align the drip-edge flashing with the edge of the plywood roof sheathing, then fasten it with 1 1/2″ roofing nails.

23.1 You will need 34 Sq Ft of 15-lb.felt building paper and asphalt shingles to complete the roof of the coop.

23.2 Starting at the lowest edge of the roof, cover the plywood sheathing and drip edge with building paper, making sure to overlap the seams on subsequent pieces by at least 6”. Secure the paper with staples.

23.3 Next, use 1 ¼ roofing nails to install the asphalt roof shingles.

24.1 Cut a piece of 3/8″ plywood siding to 11 3/4″ x 3′-6 3/4″ for the nesting-box door, as shown below.

24.2 Then, cut a piece of 5/8″ plywood to the same size–11 3/4″ x 3′-6 3/4″–and fasten it to the rear of the plywood panel using glue and ¾” nails.

24.3 Hang the door in the opening with two hinges, and then attach an 8″ door pull.

25.1 Cut a piece of 5/8″ plywood to 1′-7 1/2″ x 2′ for the chicken door panel, according to the drawing below.

25.2 Next, cut 2×2 trim pieces to fit around the perimeter of the plywood door panel. You will need two 2x2s cut to 4′ for the horizontal trim pieces, one 1′-9 1/4″ board, one 6″ board, and two 2x2s cut to 9 1/2″, which will be the vertical trim pieces. Cut another 2×2 to  2′-6″ for the lever and another cut to 6″ for the door handle. Cut the rabbets in the horizontal trim parts to allow the door to slide.

26.1 Build the door frame using 2×2s and secure the parts with 3″ screws. Cut two boards to 4′-6 3/4″ for the vertical stiles, three boards to 1′-3 3/4″ for the horizontal rails, and two to 2′-5 3/4″ for the cross braces.

26.2 Install three door hinges and then install an 8″ door pull.

27.1 Staple chicken wire (also called poultry netting) to the walls of the coop. You will need about 60 sq ft. of chicken wire.

28.1 Build a litter tray to catch the bird droppings. Cut two 1x2s to 3′-10″, and another two to 1′-5 3/4″ to form the rectangular frame of the tray. Then cut one 2×2 to 3′-5 3/4″ that serves as a guide for sliding the tray in and out. Assemble the 1×2 frame with 1 ⅝ in. screws, then cut a piece of ⅜ in. plywood siding to 1′-7 1/4″ x 3′-10″ plywood sheet. Glue and screw the plywood panel to the bottom of the frame. Next, cut a piece of plywood siding to 2 1/4″ x 1′-8 1/2″ and attach it to the front of the tray. Install a 6″ door pull to the front.

28.2. Fasten the 2×2 guide to the floor plywood with 2″ screws.

30.1 Cut three 1×4 boards to 3’, and four 2x2s cleats to 10 ½ in.

30.2 Fasten the cleats to the boards, as shown below, using 1 ⅝ in. screws.

30.3 Set the ramp in place in front of the door leading to the inside of the coop, and secure the ramp with 3 in. screws.

31.1 To attach the coop to the foundation with four 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ right-angle metal corner brackets. Before attaching the brackets, drill a ½ in. dia. hole through one leg of each bracket.

31.2 Fasten one bracket to each corner of the coop’s frame, making sure the ½ in. dia. hole faces down against the foundation. 

31.3 Then, use a 3/8 in. dia. masonry drill bit to bore through each bracket and into the brick and concrete foundation. Insert a 3/8″ x 4′ expansion anchor into each hole and hammer it down into place.

31.4 Use a wrench to tighten the hex nut on each anchor to secure the coop.