How to Build a Chicken House

With the price of eggs rising what else can we do but build a chicken house.

The most tremendous thing about building your own chicken house is that you can build a chicken house this weekend and have your own fresh eggs before you know it. And by choosing to build a chicken house, which is larger than the typical A-frame chicken coop, you can assure yourself that this onetime investment in time and money will be repaid for years to come in free fresh eggs.

Things You'll Need

• 4 Pcs. (8ft 2X4 example) of Lumber for Frame Length Top and Bottom
• 12 Pcs. (6ft 2X4 example) of Lumber for Frame Height Sides and Door Frame
• 8 Pcs (4ft 2X4 example) of Lumber for the Frame Width Top and Bottom, Door Frame, Nesting Area
• Chicken Wire to Enclose the Frame
• Plywood for the Nesting Area and Roofs
• Material for the Coop Flooring
• Tools, Nails or Screws, Hinges and Latches

Instructions

1. 

   To Build a Chicken House with your own landscaping plan in mind I have left the measurement choices to you. You can create the size chicken house that is easiest and suits your needs with this simple box design. For simplicity I will assume you are building a chicken house that's frame measures 8ft L X 4ftW that is 6ft tall

2. 

   To build the basic frame of your chicken house play area you will nail or screw the bottom four pieces together, then attach two of the side pieces cornered at each corner on the inside of that frame creating a sturdy box frame for the chicken wire. This will utilize 8 of the height boards and the remaining 4 will be used in creating your easy access door. Now that you have the bottom frame and your wall frames build you need to attach the top frame lengths to the top. These will steady the structure and allow you to move forward with building your chicken house.

3. 

   After Building the box frame for your chicken house you will have to determine if you are installing a chicken house door and where you will be placing it. The perfect place for it is on one of the eight foot length sides a little bit closer to the nesting area than the front. By placing it there you will have easy access to the nesting area and play area. No matter where you choose to place it you will have to build the door by attaching the top, bottom and sides pieces together with nails or screws. You may even want to cover the door with chicken wire before you attach the two additional 6 foot lengths to the frame creating the frame for the door on your chicken house. If you have already covered the door with chicken wire and attached the support pieces you can attach the hinges so that the door opens in or out onto the frame pieces and hang your chicken house door.

4. 

   Now that you have the frame of the chicken house play area completed I recommend installing the plywood roof and the chicken wire before completing and attaching the nesting area or box. The chicken wire need to be attached firmly around all sides as you will cut out the opening for the nesting area after building it. By installing the wire before installing the rood you will be able to secure the top wires under the roof for a more finished look. After completely enclosing the sides you will secure the roof with additional screws or nails (utilizing screws is for the convenience of disassembly if needed).

5. 

   Now to build the nesting area of your chicken house. Again the measurements are totally up to you. The sizes in my example are adequate for 10 chickens but you can choose the size and design that works best for you are with these instructions. The simplest way to build the nesting area is to build a support bracket or frame first that will attach directly to one of the 4 foot ends and support your nesting area. Use 2 four foot lengths to create this. Attaching them one horizontal and one vertical (just like an L) to the frame. This will allow you to screw the nesting box securely and create a space that allows the top top open when needed. After attaching the nesting box support frame you will build the box with plywood and attach a hinged top so that you have easy access to the eggs. Then you will have to carefully cut an opening in the back of the box for the chickens to have access to the play area and cut through the corresponding chicken wire on the frame. Be sure to sand the opening and cover any wire ends to create a safe place for your chickens before attaching the nesting area to the frame and adding chickens.

6. 

   Coop flooring is again up to you but you can add sawdust, straw or sand. You may want to check with your local Co-op to see what's best in your area and they may even having chicken care instructions that will really help you in the years to come.

Tips & Warnings

• Enjoy Your Free Fresh Eggs.