Keeping chickens isn’t a difficult task, however, you do need to ensure their safety and health by providing a space for them to live and roost. Although there are many prefabricated chicken coops from which you can choose, sometimes building your own is a better approach, especially if you own a large flock.
Chickens need approximately 2 to 3 square feet of space in their coop and at least one nesting box for every 3 to 5 hens. Even though this space can be measured vertically since they roost, many coops available for purchase only hold a limited amount of birds. Luckily, large chicken coop plans are easy to find online and are generally very easy to make. If you have been wondering how to build your own, read on below for some of our favorite ideas!
Mobile Firwood Coop and Run
Image credits: Best Choice Products via Amazon
There aren’t a lot of mobile chicken coops out there, but occasionally you need one – and this one from Best Choice is a great option for just that kind of unique situation. The elevated coop with roaming space helps keep the birds safe as they roost during the day as well as while they’re sleeping.
Art Deco
Create a protective, contemporary coop with these awesome plans that showcase an art deco design that is one of a kind. Complicated in looks, but easy to build, let your chickens live in style with this unique hen house.
Large Enclosure
When looking for an extra large chicken coop, sometimes building your own is the most affordable choice. This fully enclosed design has a simple style and easy instructions for a secure, safe, and roomy coop option.
Shed Extension
Learn more at www.unboundroots.com
Take advantage of an existing shed, or build your own and add on a well-supported run that provides protection from all types of seasonal weather. This is a great option for northern climates to help protect against excessive moisture and still provides excellent airflow.
Decorative Shed
Image Source: www.backyardchickens.com
This awesome coop has a ton of great ideas to take advantage of. Alter a prefab shed or build from the ground up to create this unique, and well-thought-out, detailed chicken home. The instructions are pretty hilarious as well!
Geodome Aviary
Image credits: SunriseDomes via Etsy
This one is perfect for the family with more than just chickens. The large geodome encompasses a pond for those ducks, gives roaming room for the chickens, and allows plenty of open-air space for any other critters you’d want to keep in there with the chickens.
Simple Lean-To
More info of this design at www.thegardencoop.com
This airy, light-filled lean-to-style coop is perfect for protecting your chickens all while allowing them exposure to the great outdoors. Spacious and comfortable, this design provides a free-range experience without the fear of predators.
Attached Run
Image Source: www.backyardchickens.com
Although not everyone includes a run with their coop plans and prefers to allow their chickens to range on their property, it doesn't hurt to have a back up plan for their safety. Attaching a simple, enclosed run is not difficult and gives you peace of mind, especially if you are not home to come to your chicken’s rescue when needed.
Cottage House
Learn more here
Could this cottage-inspired coop be any cuter? Spacious, with easy-to-access nesting boxes and a short run for predatory protection, these building plans make a big impact on your landscape.
Coop with a View
Image credits: Trixie via Homedepot
This versatile coop offers a lot of flexibility for your unique needs. For one, the top opens to make cleaning much easier, there are plenty of doors and windows, and a sliding bottom comes out for easy cleaning as well. It’s roomy, looks great, and provides a little small space protection when needed.
Rustic Home
Learn more from this website
A large, rustic enclosure is not only simple but also may often be built for free depending on the type of materials you may already have on hand. Lean-to-style coops are a great solution to providing a large, protective area and are generally a quick build.
Basic Enclosure
[embed width="735"]https://youtu.be/Ll9vPN60nJ0
Wondering how to make a large coop? This basic enclosure is a great option to help keep your hens comfortable each night and makes it easy to collect eggs each day. Watch this step-by-step tutorial to see how you can make this vision your own.
Little Coop in the Woods
Full info here
Looking more like a little playhouse, this adorable coop is the perfect size for a healthy-sized flock. Paint to match your home decor, or allow it to be a highlight of your landscape, this style of design is the perfect option for your hens to live in cute comfort.
Salt Box Predator Proof Coop
Image credits: Clark Wooden Originals via Etsy
Here’s another attractive option that provides you with plenty of access for easy collection and cleaning and keeps your chickens safe from predators while also having plenty of room for roaming around. You can even add some flowers to the window boxes for some extra oomph on the aesthetics.
Multi-Functional Coop
[embed width="735"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvHQpOk1NqM
This huge coop may be one of the best designs ever concerning the safety and care of your chickens. Roosts, nests, and plenty of space to run around defines this stylish home that will have your chickens living in style.
Hoop Coop
Learn more at www.backyardchickens.com
This traditional hoop coop is perfect for climates that receive a lot of snow. Avoid a pile-up and keep your chickens well ventilated with this spacious run and vertical height to allow both indoor and outdoor roosting without fear of predation.
Simple Coop
Full build tutorial here
Put your chickens to bed each night in this raised option that also includes a small run that you can easily open and close for safety measures. Raised coops are often easy to clean and maintain and provide a spacious area for laying and roosting.
Secure Coop
Full information here
This coop looks like the perfect backyard escape for both humans and animals alike. Look over these easy-to-follow plans to make a secure, predator-proof housing for your flock, and also provide a comforting space for nesting.
Classic Coop with Nesting Box
Image credits: PawHut via Amazon
This beautiful, classic barn-style coop offers tons of room both inside and in the run, with a large nesting box for the ultimate in comfort for your fluffy birds. The water-resistant roof, sturdy build, and firwood design all make it durable and easy to clean.
Coop and Shed Combo
Image credits: Happy Little Bear via Etsy
These unique plans make gathering eggs, cleaning the coop, and caring for your chickens super easy. The built-in shed makes storage of all your chicken-care, cleaning, and other needs close at hand, with easy access into the nesting box from the shed itself. Plus, it’s a beautiful design that you won’t mind seeing in the backyard.
Pallet Creations
Image Source: www.delaneychicken.com
DIY your way with cheap (or free) pallets to create the chicken coop of your dreams. These plans are easy to follow and help bring your chicken housing passion to life! The great thing about this idea is you can customize the size to fit your needs.
The Right Coop Can Make All the Difference
If you have a large flock, or simply are not interested in the coop styles offered for sale, you may want to build your own. These many coop instructions and ideas provide plenty of creative tips for you to make your own personalized hen house. Although designed for a large flock, these DIY tips can be altered to fit your needs.
If you have any questions or comments or want to share your own coop picture or plans, please do so below. And, as always, please post this article for everyone to see!