How to Build a Chicken Coop

A chicken enclosure keeps chickens safe from most predators, plus keeps the chickens in one area of the yard. Chickens can make a mess out of their area because they like to scratch the ground, looking for feed. Some people feed their chickens in flat pans and others like to scatter the feed on the ground for the chickens to scratch. With a chicken enclosure, it is easier and better for the chickens to spread the feed on the ground, unless you use a ground mixture instead of whole corn or other pelleted feed.

Supplies needed to build a chicken coop:

• Chicken wire
• 1- by 1-inch boards
• Laying boxes
• Feed pans
• Watering pan or watering system
• 2-inch wood screws
• Heavy duty construction staples
• Marking paint
• Marking stakes
• String
• 3 Hinges
• Door latch

Step 1:
Decide on the size of the chicken enclosure. Purchase enough material for the size of the enclosure.

Step 2:
Cut stakes out of the 1- by 1-inch boards. The stakes should be at least 7 feet in height. If you want to be able to completely stand up inside the chicken enclosure, cut the stakes to 8 feet or higher.

Step 3:
Put the first stake in the ground where you want one side of the chicken enclosure to be. Measure out the length of the chicken enclosure and mark the spot where the first side will end by putting a marking stake in the ground. Mark the other two corners in the same fashion.

Step 4:
Measure diagonally from one corner stake to the other. Write down the measurement. Measure diagonally from the other set of corner stakes. If the measurement is different move one of the stakes until both diagonal measurements are the same. When they are the same, the corner stakes will perfectly lined up (whether a square or a rectangle). Pound the 1- by 1-inch stakes in the ground at these points. The stakes should be at 2 feet into the ground (you may have to dig a stake hole if the ground is hard).

Step 5:
Measure between the two left stakes. Cut four 1- by 1-inch boards to this measurement. These boards will be the top and bottom part of the frame. Measure between the top left and top right stakes. Cut four 1- by 1-inch board to this measurement. These boards will be the top and bottom of the frame for the width of the chicken enclosure. Screw the boards into place at the top and bottom, making four frames that are attached to each other.

Step 6:
Measure each frame piece diagonally. The measurements should be the same. If not, push the corner stakes one way or the other. When the measurements line up, the frame is squared.

Step 7:
Measure from the bottom of the top of the frame to the top of the bottom frame. This measurement will be used for the studs. Cut 1- by 1-inch boards to this measurement. You will need enough boards to place every 24 inches within all four sides of the frame. Leave space in the middle of one of the sides for a door. The door should be 3 feet in width. Two of the posts on each side of the door will be closer than 24 inches.

Step 8:
Place the studs every 24 inches in the frame and screw the studs into the frame. At the bottom, you will need to put the screws in at an angle. Put two screws in at the top and at the bottom for support.

Step 9:
Measure the width of the top of the chicken enclosure. Use this measurement to cut the supports for the top. Screw the supports in across the top (to make a roof) every 24 inches. Use two screws for each end of each support.

Step 10:
Build a square frame for the door. Measure the 3-foot space between the studs. The door will either be 3 feet in width or 2 feet 10 inches in width, depending on where you placed the studs on each side of the door hole.

Step 11:
Screw the frame together and square it off by measuring and adjusting the square as outlined in Step 4. Cut four boards the width of the door. Evenly space the boards inside the frame for the door and screw them in. This gives the frame for the door support.

Step 12:
Attach the hinges to the door frame. Hang the door in the space on the chicken enclosure frame and attach the hinges to the chicken enclosure frame. Make sure the door fits and opens and closes without a problem. If not, adjust measurements as necessary. Attach the door latch to the door and the frame.

Step 13:
Hold the roll of chicken wire up against the frame (at the bottom), starting at the door frame. Staple the chicken wire to the frame. Unroll the chicken wire as far as the next stud. Pull the chicken wire tight and staple the wire to the first stud. Continue unrolling the chicken wire and stapling it to each stud.

Step 14:
Start the next row by overlapping it over the bottom row of chicken wire by 3 inches. Unroll the chicken wire to each stud and staple the chicken wire to the studs. Continue in this manner until all four sides of the chicken enclosure are covered with chicken wire.

Step 15:
Cover the top of the chicken enclosure with the chicken wire in the same manner you did the sides. Start at the back of the coop (you will need to go inside) and work your way towards the door.

Step 16:
Cut the chicken wire to fit the door. Staple the chicken wire to the door.

Step 17:
Place the laying boxes inside the chicken enclosure. If you are using a flat pan for food, put one pan per five chickens in the enclosure. Place a watering pan or watering system in the center of the chicken enclosure. Watering systems, feed pans and laying boxes can be purchased at the local farm supply store.