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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
If you want to raise chickens in your yard, it’s essential to provide them with a safe, spacious coop where they can sleep and lay eggs. "A flock of birds without an adequate amount of space is in for a world of problems," says Chris Lesley, founder of the authoritative blog Chickens and More, "from lack of exercise to increased stress to violence between birds to more rapid spread of illness." We evaluated coops based on their size, construction materials, capacity, and special features.
Our top pick, the Omlet Eglu Cube Large Chicken Coop, can accommodate up to 10 chickens, and it can be purchased with a run and/or wheels to make the design portable.
Here are the best chicken coops to protect your birds.
Best Overall: Omlet Eglu Cube Large Chicken Coop
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Omlet
Draft-free ventilation
Double-wall insulation system
Easy to clean
Optional wheels
Multiple run sizes
Made from polyethylene
For most flocks, the Omlet Eglu Cube Chicken Coop is a secure and reasonably priced home for up to 10 small chickens. If you have larger chicken breeds, this coop may only fit six to eight birds. ("Six is probably the maximum number a beginner can manage successfully," advises Lesley.) The elevated coop is crafted from 100 percent recyclable UV-stabilized polyethylene, and it’s held up by a powder-coated steel frame with a steel ladder leading up into the coop. The double-wall design helps keep the coop warm in winter and cool in summer, and its draft-free vents let fresh air inside. "It's also great for both collecting eggs and cleaning," Lesley says, "as the owner can then just step right into the coop."
The interior of this coop is sectioned into two areas—one for roosting and one for nesting—and the nesting box is large enough to hold three chickens at a time. A door on the side of the coop opens up into the nesting area, allowing you to easily collect eggs. And there’s even an interior divider that allows you to close the nesting area at night to deter chickens from sleeping there. When it’s time to clean the coop, a slide-out droppings tray is easy to empty, and the smooth surfaces can simply be wiped or hosed down.
This coop has a variety of other optional features that may come in handy for your flock. It can be purchased with a run if desired, and there are 6-, 9-, and 13-foot options available. You can also opt to have the coop mounted on wheels, which allows you to move it around your yard as needed. Finally, the coop is designed to accommodate the brand’s popular automatic door (sold separately), which automatically lets your chickens out in the morning and closes them into the coop at nightfall.
Price at time of publish: $799
Best Budget: TRIXIE Natura Chicken Coop
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Courtesy of Tractor Supply Co.
Made from solid wood
Built-in air vents
Removable floor panels
Hinged roof
Small capacity
If you’re only planning to have a few chickens, the TRIXIE Natura Chicken Coop is an inexpensive option that can accommodate two large-breed chickens or four Bantam chickens. It’s crafted from solid wood with a weatherproof finish for durability, and it features a large main roosting area with a nesting box off the side. The coop has fold-down doors on the front and side that double as ramps for your chickens to get in and out. A large air vent into the main area helps keep the coop fresh.
This compact coop has hinged roof panels over the main roosting area and nesting box, making it easy to clean and collect eggs. The plastic-coated floor panels can also be removed as needed, making them easy to clean. There are two removable roosting poles for chickens to sleep on at night, and the nesting area has a removable divider that lets you create one or two spaces for your hens. While this coop is well-made and budget-friendly, keep in mind that it is quite small and can only comfortably accommodate a few birds.
Price at time of publish: $289
Best Design: Cutest Coops Classic 4x6 Coop
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Courtesy of Classic Coops
Stylish walk-in design
Accommodates up to 12 chickens
Soft-close nesting box lid
Clean-out door
Shipping is very expensive
Assembly required
For a beautiful chicken coop that can become part of your yard’s decor, you can’t go wrong with the Classic Coop from Cutest Coops. This coop is 4 x 6 feet and can accommodate up to 12 chickens, and it’s every bit as functional as it is stylish. The structure is hand-built from treated wood, which you can choose to have painted white or left natural for your own painting. The walk-in design allows you to easily access the interior without bending or crawling.
These thoughtfully designed coops come with several features that make it easy to tend your flock. There are three nesting boxes with a hinged lid for egg collection, and the hinge is even soft-close to avoid any pinched fingers. The windows on this coop are covered with welded hardware cloth to protect your chickens against predators—a threat even in urban areas, says Lesley. "City dwellers will have fewer predators to worry about," she says, "but there will still be birds of prey to contend with, and maybe even a higher risk of rats and other rodents stealing their eggs." There's also a convenient clean-out door at the back of the coop that lets you sweep out bedding quickly and easily.
While this chicken coop is unmatched in terms of style and durability, keep in mind you have to pay a sizable shipping fee to have it delivered, on top of the cost of the coop. Additionally, these coops don’t include assembly—the brand recommends at least two people and basic construction knowledge to put the coops together.
Price at time of publish: $4,999
Best Splurge: Williams Sonoma Cedar Chicken Coop & Run with Planter
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Courtesy of Williams Sonoma
Attractive cedar design
Built-in run
Integrated garden planter
Includes white glove delivery and assembly
Small capacity
Not ideal for cold climates
This adorable coop is perfect for housing a small flock of up to four chickens. Not only is it handcrafted from solid red cedar, but it also has an integrated 25-square-foot run where your chickens can hang out, as well as a built-in planter box to grow herbs or other plants. The coop is hand-built in Washington state at a family-run sawmill, and your purchase includes white glove delivery, meaning they assemble the structure exactly where you want it.
The interior of the coop includes two nesting boxes with a drop-down door for egg collection, as well as a perch where your chickens can sleep at night. A drop-down ladder allows chickens to climb in and out of the run, but you can also keep it closed when needed using a cord located next to the egg door. The run is wrapped in a heavy-duty galvanized-wire mesh that’s too small for predators to reach through, and the coop’s door is lined with the same material, providing plenty of ventilation.
The one big downside of this coop is that the interior floor is only lined with mesh. This makes it easy to keep clean but won’t provide sufficient wintertime insulation in cold climates.
Price at time of publish: $2,800
Best Walk-In: Roost & Root Round Top Stand Up Chicken Coop
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Courtesy of Roost & Root
Walk-in design
Many customization options
Built-in storage compartment
Free personalization
Expensive shipping
Not suitable for cold climates
The Roost & Root Round-Top Stand-Up Chicken Coop has a convenient walk-in design with a full-size door, which makes it easy to check on your chickens, clean out the coop, and refill food and water dishes. The coop, which can comfortably house up to six chickens, is built from solid cedar wood and has a sizable run that’s covered with heavy-duty welded wire to deter predators. Inside the coop, there are several roosting bars, as well as two nesting boxes. But because the roosting area is not fully enclosed, this coop may not be the best option for cold climates.
You can customize this chicken coop in a number of ways to suit your flock. For instance, you can purchase a larger run area, “EZ-fill” water and food containers, as well as storm panels that can be mounted to the walls of the run. You can stash food and other supplies in the built-in storage compartment within the coop, and the design can even be personalized with your farm name for free. This coop does require assembly upon arrival, and because it’s fairly large, freight shipping can be quite expensive.
Price at time of publish: $4,495
Best Large: OverEZ Large Chicken Coop
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Courtesy of Amazon
Houses up to 15 chickens
Heavy-duty construction
Easy to assemble
Suitable for all climates
Small air vents
If you’re planning to have a dozen or more chickens, the OverEZ Large Chicken Coop is our top choice for your flock. This large coop can comfortably house up to 15 full-grown chickens, and despite its heavy-duty wooden construction and sizable design, it’s quite reasonably priced. The design features two windows and five nesting boxes with a hinged lid. Its moisture-resistant design is ideal for warm and cold climates, helping keep your chickens comfortable year-round.
This coop is hand-built in the USA and can be assembled in around 30 minutes using an electric screwdriver. The interior features two spacious roosting bars where your chickens can sleep, and the slanted roof profile ensures that rain and snow run off in the opposite direction of the nesting boxes. The only downside of this large chicken coop is that its air vents, which are located on each gable, are quite small and may not be sufficient for airflow when the windows are closed.
Price at time of publish: $1,999
Best Small: Producer's Pride MDC001 Sentinel Chicken Coop
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Courtesy of Tractor Supply Co.
Affordable
Easy to assemble
Integrated run
Removable tray for easy cleaning
No ventilation
If you’re new to chickens and just want a couple of birds, the Producer’s Pride Sentinel Chicken Coop is a small and affordable housing option. The manufacturer claims it can house up to six chickens, but most people agree it’s best suited for a maximum of four. However, this coop is extremely easy to assemble and comes with an integrated run where your chickens can spend their days, making it an all-in-one option for beginner chicken owners.
This small coop is made from thick wood panels and a powder-coated steel frame, and it comes with a wooden ramp that allows your chickens to climb in and out of the enclosed area. There are three nesting boxes, which you can access via a hinged lid, and a sliding door allows you to shut your birds in as needed. The metal floor slides out for easy cleaning, and access doors on both sides of the structure can be locked with predator-resistant latches. The one shortcoming of this coop is it lacks ventilation panels, but you can always install a few onto the wooden siding.
Price at time of publish: $400
Best Run: Producer's Pride Universal Poultry Pen
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Courtesy of Tractor Supply Co.
Heavy-duty construction
Knock-out panel can attach to coop
Walk-in design
Expandable
Hard mesh roof
Pricey
Unless you’re planning to let your chickens free range in your yard, you need some type of run—a term for an enclosed area for poultry—where they can spend time during the day. The Producer’s Pride Universal Poultry Pen is a top choice for this purpose, as it’s extremely well-built and designed to protect your chickens from predators when they’re outdoors. The run is 8 x 8 feet and more than 6 feet tall, and its full-size door allows you to walk inside without crouching.
This run is made from rust-resistant powder-coated steel, and its hard mesh roof can protect your birds from aerial predators such as hawks. If you want to connect it directly to your chicken coop, there’s a knock-out panel for exactly that purpose, and the door is compatible with most padlocks if you want to provide an additional layer of protection. While this run is fairly pricey, it’s extremely well made and should keep most predators out. Just keep in mind that it needs to be paired with a coop to provide sufficient housing for your birds.
Price at time of publish: $700
Best Plans: CoopExpert Chicken Coop Plans
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Courtesy of Etsy
Accommodates up to 12 chickens
Thorough step-by-step instructions
Easy to customize
Requires basic construction skills
If you’re fairly handy and own a few basic power tools, you can build a beautiful chicken coop using the CoopExpert Plans. The plans include detailed step-by-step instructions for constructing a large coop that can hold up to 12 chickens. But the best part is you can easily tweak the design to suit your needs, adding additional roosts, ventilation, access doors, and more. As the plans are written, the coop includes two single-hung windows, three roost rails, and five nesting boxes that are accessible via a hinged lid.
These coop plans are extremely comprehensive, including 31 pages of detailed diagrams and CAD drawings, as well as a material list, cut list, and recommended tools list. Depending on the cost of lumber, the coop will likely cost between $900 and $1,200 to build, but you’d likely pay twice as much for a pre-made coop of this size.
Price at time of publish: $18
For small-to-medium-sized flocks, the Omlet Eglu Cube Chicken Coop (view at Omlet) is a well-priced and thoughtfully designed chicken coop. It can hold up to 10 small chickens, and you can add on a matching run and/or coop wheels, depending on your needs. If you only plan to have a few chickens, the TRIXIE Natura Chicken Coop (view at Walmart) is a small, budget-friendly option that can comfortably accommodate up to four small birds.
What to Look For in a Chicken Coop
Size
When shopping for a chicken coop, it’s essential to purchase a structure that can comfortably accommodate your flock. “How much room they need per bird will vary a bit from breed to breed, but a good rule of thumb is 10 square feet per bird for standard breeds," says Chris Lesley, founder of the popular blog Chickens and More. Look at the coop’s recommended capacity, and be sure to factor in the potential expansion of your flock. After getting a few birds, many people end up wanting more chickens, so it doesn’t hurt to buy a coop that’s larger than you need initially.
Also, consider the number of nesting boxes and roosting space available within a coop. Generally, you should have one nesting box for every four chickens and 8 to 10 inches of roosting space per bird.
Ventilation
Chicken coop ventilation is extremely important yet an often-overlooked feature in pre-made coops. Proper ventilation provides chickens with fresh air during the night and helps minimize odors within the coop. Additionally, for those living in cold climates, draft-free ventilation prevents moisture buildup in the winter, helping avoid frostbite among your flock.
In general, allot about 1 square foot of ventilation per 10 square feet of coop floor space. Vents should be installed in a location that encourages airflow but doesn’t cause a draft to blow on your chickens while they’re roosting. Cover vents with hardware cloth to keep out predators.
Chicken Run
Some chicken coops come with attached runs—enclosed outdoor areas where chickens can eat and forage. This is typically where chickens spend most of their time during the day. "The best exercise for chickens is free-ranging and foraging, or looking for their own food," says Lesley. "If it is at all possible to let your birds free range, you should; the exercise they get from roaming around is great for their physical health and their moods, and the added protein and variety they get from foraging for plants and insects will improve their health and give you tastier, more flavorful eggs and meat. If you can’t let them free-range, the next best thing is putting toys in their run will help keep them occupied and exercising."
If your coop doesn't come with a run, you need to build one or place your coop inside a fenced-in area. To keep out predators, the run's walls and roof should be constructed from welded wire fencing, ideally with openings less than 1 inch.
Predator Protection
There are many predators that may try to access your coop and the birds inside, but proper predator proofing deters raccoons, foxes, hawks, weasels, and more. "Raptors can generally be fended off with shiny things, like reflective tape or old CDs suspended around the coop, or by covering the run with a tarp or wooden shelter," advises Lesley. "For small ground-based predators, the best defense is hardware mesh and making sure your coop is thoroughly sealed." Most poultry pros prefer hardware cloth with half-inch wire spacing to chicken wire for predator protection since many predators can rip chicken wire right open.
Cover any area of the coop that is open, including windows and vents, with hardware cloth. Also, install secure latches on any doors, as raccoons are often able to open basic latches.
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How big should a chicken coop be?
The size of your chicken coop should be determined by the number of chickens you plan to keep. It's best to start larger rather than smaller in case you want to expand your flock. If your chickens have access to outdoor foraging, allow at least 2 to 3 square feet per bird inside the coop. If your birds stay cooped constantly, give them around 5 to 10 square feet per chicken.
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What do you need to have inside a chicken coop?
Your chicken coop needs depend on what kind of birds you have. Laying hens need nest boxes. Figure at least one nest box or 1 square foot of community nesting space for every four to five hens. You also need roosts for laying hens; those should be 2 feet off the ground, with 6 to 10 inches of roosting space per bird.
Additionally, you need shade, ventilation, dust baths, and predator protection. Dust baths are an area of dry soil where birds dig up and then cover themselves with mulch, sand, and other detritus. The routine absorbs excess moisture and oil, helping to control parasites. Predator protection is also key to keeping away unwanted animals such as dogs, cats, and foxes.
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How do you clean a chicken coop?
If you have a fixed coop, you have to muck it out several times a year. For most other coops, start by cleaning out old droppings, feathers, dirt, and nesting materials. Hose it down, scrub the surfaces, and let it dry before replacing any nesting materials. Adding things like floor bedding make cleaning the bottom of your coop easier, as it helps keep droppings from sticking to the floor.
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How do you insulate a chicken coop?
Insulation methods include using budget-friendly options such as styrofoam or cardboard. You can place these materials between the studs of your ceiling to help lock in heat at the top. Other materials, such as straw, can also be used on the bottom of your coop to help insulate from the cold ground during the winter.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. She’s the proud owner of 12 chickens and four ducks, and she and her partner used the CoopExpert Chicken Coop Plans to build a sturdy coop for her flock. For additional insight, we also consulted with Chris Lesley, founder of the popular blog Chickens and More.
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