19 Simple and Budget-Friendly DIY Chicken Coop Plans

Raising backyard chickens is a rewarding endeavor that provides fresh eggs, natural pest control, and even companionship. However, one of the most crucial aspects of chicken keeping is ensuring they have a safe, comfortable, and weather-resistant place to live. Many pre-built chicken coops on the market can be expensive, but thankfully, building your own coop is a fantastic way to save money while customizing the design to fit your backyard and flock’s needs. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced chicken keeper, DIY chicken coop plans can help you create a sturdy and functional home without breaking the bank. In this guide, we’ve gathered 19 simple and budget-friendly DIY chicken coop plans that offer various designs, from portable chicken tractors to rustic barn-style coops. Plus, we’ll recommend essential Amazon products that can make your building process easier and ensure your chickens stay safe and comfortable.

1. The Classic A-Frame Coop

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The A-frame chicken coop is a timeless design that is both efficient and space-saving. Its triangular structure allows for easy construction while providing ample shelter and ventilation for your flock. This coop is perfect for small backyards and urban chicken keepers who need a compact yet functional home for their hens. The sloped roof prevents rain from accumulating, reducing the risk of leaks and water damage. Additionally, an A-frame coop is often lightweight, making it easier to relocate if necessary. To ensure durability, consider using waterproof roofing sheets, which help protect the wood from moisture and extend the lifespan of the coop.

2. The Upcycled Pallet Coop

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If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to build a chicken coop, repurposing wooden pallets is an excellent solution. Pallets are often available for free or at a low cost from hardware stores, making them an ideal material for a budget-friendly build. This type of coop is easy to customize, allowing you to create a unique structure that suits your backyard space. To make the assembly process smoother, invest in heavy-duty wood screws that provide a secure hold, ensuring your coop remains sturdy over time.

3. The Hoop House Coop

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A hoop house coop is an innovative design that uses flexible PVC pipes and wire mesh to create a lightweight, tunnel-shaped shelter. This type of coop is perfect for those who want a portable and inexpensive solution for housing their chickens. The curved design allows for excellent ventilation while providing protection from the elements. Since this coop relies on chicken wire for security, it’s essential to use high-quality mesh to keep predators out. Consider installing a wire apron around the perimeter to prevent digging predators from accessing your flock.

4. The Small Urban Coop

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Urban chicken keepers often face space constraints, but a small vertical coop can maximize limited backyard space while keeping chickens happy and secure. These coops typically feature a raised house with an attached run underneath, providing enough room for chickens to roam without taking up too much ground space. This setup also makes cleaning easier since waste falls to the bottom, where it can be collected. To further simplify maintenance, consider installing an automatic chicken door that opens and closes on a timer, ensuring your flock is safe even when you’re not home.

5. The Tractor Coop

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A chicken tractor is a mobile coop that allows chickens to graze on fresh grass daily while keeping them protected from predators. This design is ideal for those who want to practice rotational grazing, which improves soil health and provides chickens with a varied diet. Since chicken tractors are meant to be moved frequently, they should be built with sturdy yet lightweight materials. Adding heavy-duty caster wheels makes it much easier to transport the coop across your yard.

6. The Greenhouse Coop

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A greenhouse-style chicken coop serves a dual purpose: providing a warm shelter for chickens during colder months while also allowing you to grow plants in the same space. The greenhouse effect helps retain heat, making it an energy-efficient option for those who live in colder climates. For added durability, use UV-resistant greenhouse plastic, which prevents sun damage and extends the lifespan of your coop.

7. The Shed-Style Coop

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If you have an old shed sitting unused in your backyard, why not repurpose it into a spacious chicken coop? Converting a shed into a coop is one of the simplest ways to create a well-ventilated and predator-proof home for your flock. This design provides plenty of space for nesting boxes, roosting bars, and storage. To ensure your hens stay comfortable, add soft nesting pads to give them a cozy place to lay eggs.

8. The Log Cabin Coop

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For those who love the rustic farmhouse look, a log cabin chicken coop is an aesthetically pleasing and highly durable option. This coop style is built using thick wooden logs, which provide excellent insulation against extreme temperatures. Since wood is prone to weathering, applying a weatherproof wood stain helps protect the structure from moisture and pests, ensuring longevity.

9. The Raised Coop with Run

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Predator protection is a top priority for chicken keepers, and raising the coop off the ground is an effective way to deter potential threats. An elevated coop prevents snakes, rats, and other ground predators from accessing the chickens while also providing extra shade underneath. Hardware cloth is a must-have for securing the enclosure and preventing small predators from squeezing through gaps.

10. The Simple Lean-To Coop

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A lean-to coop is a great option for those who want to attach a chicken coop to an existing structure, such as a garage, barn, or shed. This design is easy to construct and offers additional protection against harsh weather. Installing adjustable vent covers allows you to control airflow and maintain a comfortable temperature inside the coop throughout the year.

11. The Barn-Style Coop

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For those who love a traditional farm aesthetic, a barn-style chicken coop is a charming and practical choice. This coop mimics the look of a miniature barn and provides ample space for multiple chickens, nesting boxes, and roosting bars. One of the biggest advantages of this design is its high-pitched roof, which offers excellent ventilation and prevents moisture buildup inside the coop. To keep your flock safe from nighttime predators, installing a sturdy sliding door is a must.

12. The Portable Crate Coop

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If you’re looking for an ultra-budget-friendly coop that is easy to assemble, repurposing wooden crates can be a fantastic option. This design involves stacking and securing wooden crates to create a compact yet functional chicken home. Crate coops work best for small flocks and can be moved around the yard as needed. Since wooden crates can be prone to wear and tear, sealing them with a weatherproof wood treatment will help extend their lifespan.

13. The Recycled Playhouse Coop

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Transforming an old children’s playhouse into a chicken coop is a creative and cost-effective way to provide a secure home for your flock. Many plastic or wooden playhouses already come with doors and windows, making them easy to modify into a coop. Simply add nesting boxes, a roosting bar, and a secure door latch to complete the setup. To ensure your hens stay warm during colder months, consider installing thermal insulation panels inside the coop.

14. The Cattle Panel Coop

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A cattle panel coop is similar to a hoop house design but uses sturdy cattle panels instead of PVC pipes. This design is incredibly durable, affordable, and provides excellent ventilation. The arched structure allows rain and snow to slide off easily, reducing the risk of damage. Since the sides are often made of wire mesh, adding a heavy-duty tarp over the top can provide extra shade and weather protection.

15. The Budget-Friendly Doghouse Coop

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If you have an old doghouse that is no longer in use, why not repurpose it into a cozy chicken coop? Doghouses are already built to withstand outdoor conditions, making them an easy and cost-effective solution for a small flock. Simply raise the structure off the ground, add a nesting box inside, and install a secure door to keep predators out. For added convenience, using a removable floor tray will make cleaning much easier.

16. The Green Roof Coop

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A green roof chicken coop is not only visually stunning but also environmentally friendly. This design incorporates a living roof covered in grass, flowers, or herbs, which helps insulate the coop and provide natural cooling in the summer. Additionally, it can improve rainwater absorption, reducing runoff in your backyard. To create a sturdy base for planting, use a waterproof roofing liner to prevent leaks inside the coop.

17. The Shipping Container Coop

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For those who prefer a highly durable and weather-resistant coop, repurposing a small shipping container can be an innovative option. These metal structures provide excellent protection against predators and extreme weather conditions. To ensure proper airflow, installing adjustable vents and a solar-powered exhaust fan can help regulate the temperature inside the coop.

18. The PVC Pipe Coop

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A PVC pipe chicken coop is one of the most lightweight and budget-friendly options available. This design uses PVC pipes and fittings to create a sturdy frame, which is then covered with wire mesh for protection. This coop is ideal for backyard farmers who need a mobile, easy-to-assemble structure. Since PVC can become brittle over time when exposed to sunlight, using UV-resistant PVC pipes will help extend the coop’s longevity.

19. The Minimalist Wire Enclosure Coop

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For those who prefer a no-frills, open-air coop, a wire enclosure setup might be the perfect solution. This simple design consists of a secure wire enclosure with a small covered shelter for roosting and nesting. It allows maximum airflow while keeping predators out. To provide extra comfort for your chickens, adding soft bedding inside the nesting area is highly recommended.