The 7 Best Chicken Coops of 2020

Best Overall: Snap Lock Formex Large Chicken Coop

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Our top choice for a chicken coop is easy to assemble, weather-resistant, and a safe place to keep your egg layers. The SnapLock Formex Chicken Coop is made from sturdy, double-walled plastic (much like a storage shed) and can accommodate about a half-dozen birds, depending on the breed.

This chicken coop includes three elevated roosting bars with multiple height placement for each bar. Two nesting boxes with removable dividers provide up to four egg-laying locations. Some of the essential features included with this chicken coop are a removable tray for cleaning droppings and changing bedding, adjustable side vents to keep circulation in the coop, and hinged doors above each nesting box for easy egg collection. A hinged roof also allows for easier cleaning. 

People find the SnapLock Formex Chicken Coop to be super easy to assemble—no tools required since the pieces snap together. But if you think this makes the coop flimsy, think again. One reviewer reported that this coop got tossed around by a bear looking for a meal but he wasn’t able to gain access to the birds inside thanks to the locks and sturdy construction. 

Just keep in mind that this chicken coop doesn’t include a window or run. So make sure your birds have plenty of access to roam and forage during the day. It’s an investment compared to some wooden chicken coop kits, but the money spent on this quick-to-assemble chicken coop is well worth it for the comfort of your chickens and the conveniences it offers to you. 

Best Starter: Tucker Murphy Pet Hawkes Multi-Level Chicken Coop

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If you're just starting your flock or are running a small, urban operation, the Hawkes Multi-Level Chicken Coop is a great entry point. Between its interior sleep space and exterior run, the two-door, two-level coop offers 8 square feet for chickens to roam. Since it's made from weather-proof, rot-resistant solid fir, you can also count on its longevity.

Reviewers note that the coop is easy to assemble and offers enough room for three bantams or two larger breed chickens. They do note that it doesn't include nesting boxes, though, so that may be something you want to add.

Best Multi-Level: Archie & Oscar Freddy Chicken Coop

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If you want a multi-level chicken coop, then this model will give your feathered friends an elevated spot to roost along with room to roam about on the ground. 

The Freddy Chicken Coop is a popular option for raising chickens in backyards and small farms alike. The multi-level coop includes an elevated roosting box with a roosting bar and nesting box with partial divider. A door gives you the ability to securely put your chickens away for the night, while a ramp gives them easy access to ground level during the day. 

People like the easy access options of this multi-level chicken coop, including the hinged door over the nesting box for egg collection, the sliding tray for litter changes under the coop, and the additional doors into the hen house and enclosure. However, the most common complaint is that the hardware needs to be upgraded for longevity and better predator protection. It also is on the smaller side, as it accommodates up to four chickens at most.

Runner-Up, Best Multi-Level: Pawhut Outdoor Wooden Chicken Coop Hen House with Nesting Box

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Whether you have two hens or twelve, your feathered friends need space to roam. That's where a multi-level coop, like this one from PawHut, comes in handy. The large 69.25 x 26 x 43.5-inch coop is constructed from solid fir and outfitted with an elevated nesting box, a non-slip ramp, and a sizable run. A hinged roof over the nesting box allows you to easily collect eggs.

PawHut's "poultry palace" is suitable for three to five chickens, depending on their size and breed. The coop keeps predators at bay with lockable doors and sturdy wire mesh, so you never have to worry about the fate of your flock. As far as cleaning goes, that's pretty simple, too, thanks to a built-in slide out tray (which collects droppings) and a side door which offers access to the run.

Best Urban: Omlet Eglu Chicken Coop

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For urban chicken farmers, look for an easy-to-maintain and portable chicken coop. The Omlet Eglu is our top pick for a backyard chicken coop. 

The Eglu stands out in terms of design and simplicity. This molded plastic chicken coop comes in a vibrant green with a steel mesh run that measures almost 10 feet long. Plastic panels, doors, and drawer make it easy to gain access to any part of the coop and are especially easy to clean—a major plus for backyard chicken owners that need to keep odor under control. 

This backyard chicken coop sits on a sturdy metal frame but is light enough to move around your yard to comply with zoning requirements and to give your chicks new areas to forage. We also like those no-spill containers for chicken feed and water attach to the sides of the steel mesh run. This urban chicken coop makes a perfect addition to your backyard. While it does have a higher price point, it’s a safe and secure way to keep your chickens in your yard.

Best High-End: Williams Sonoma Cedar Chicken Coop & Run with Planter

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As far as good-looking chicken coops go, Williams Sonoma's Cedar Chicken Coop comes out on top. The hand-built coop is constructed from handsome rot-resistant red cedar (that was milled at a family-owned sawmill in Washington state) and finished off with a galvanized roof and wire mesh which protects your flock from predators.

The multi-tier coop measures 63.25 x 61.75 x 83.25 inches and offers two watertight nest boxes, an interior perch, and 25 square feet of run space which can comfortably accommodate four to six hens (depending on if you let them roam freely throughout the day). A built-in planter box also comes ready to be filled with your favorite flowers or veggies. Best of all, Williams Sonoma's coop comes with white glove delivery, so you don't have to worry about assembly.