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If you’re considering purchasing and raising chickens, a chicken coop is the perfect way to house them and feed them while giving them ample room to roam.
However, not all chicken coops are created equal. Depending on factors such as the number of chickens you have, the size of your yard, and what climate you live in, some coops may work better than others for your specific situation. Typically, you can expect to spend anywhere between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on a chicken coop, depending on its size, material, and other features.
To help you narrow down your options, the This Old House Team researched the best chicken coops available. Overall, our top choice is the OverEZ Small Chicken Coop, which is perfect for up to five chickens, features a stylish design with a screened-in window for viewing, and has moisture-resistant siding. Read our guide below for more of our top picks.
Best Chicken Coops: Our Top 7 Picks
- Best Overall: OverEZ Small Chicken Coop
- Best Metal Coop: Polar Aurora Large Metal Chicken Coop
- Best for Small Yards: Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop
- Best Play Area: Aivituvin Walk-In Chicken Coop
- Most Portable: Best Choice Products Mobile Fir Wood Chicken Coop
- Easiest To Clean: ecoFLEX Fontana Barn
- Most Adjustable: PawHut Wooden Chicken Coop
Compare Top Chicken Coops
| Product | Material | Has Lockable Doors | Weight | Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OverEZ Small Chicken Coop | Wood | Not listed | 200 pounds | 55 x 34 x 45 inches | ||
| Polar Aurora Large Metal Chicken Coop | Galvanized steel | Yes | 104 pounds | 110.4 x 220.8 x 76.8 inches | ||
| Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop | Solid fir wood | Yes | 63 pounds | 53.2 x 22 x 28 inches | ||
| Aivituvin Walk-In Chicken Coop | Fir wood | Yes | 63 pounds | 87.8 x 20.5 x 33.7 inches | ||
| Best Choice Products Mobile Fir Wood Chicken Coop | Fir wood | Yes | 64 pounds | 70.9 x 26 x 39.4 inches | ||
| ecoFLEX Fontana Barn | Plastic-wood polymer | Not listed | 57 pounds | 52.4 x 29.4 x 29.1 inches | ||
| PawHut Wooden Chicken Coop | Wood | Yes | 49 pounds | 74.8 x 32 x 40.5 inchs | ||
| Product | Material | Has Lockable Doors | Weight | Dimensions |
Best Overall
OverEZ Small Chicken Coop
- $1,299
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying about the OverEZ Small Chicken Coop?
Happy customers noted that this chicken coop was solidly built, easy to assemble, and had a roomy interior. However, some customers did note they felt it was smaller than they expected, and others claimed the sides did not line up correctly.
“…I finally decided on this coop and it’s awesome! I am 5-foot-3 and 110 pounds, and I can comfortably sit inside this coop! With room for all four of my chickens to spare! The big door on the side makes cleaning super easy, and the whole coop is super sturdy. I put it together myself, and it took a good 1.5-2 hours, but it wasn’t awful…. Overall, I love this coop, and it keeps my girls safe! I added laminate flooring to make cleaning even easier.” — Lynn M. Hamilton via Amazon
“After a lot of research, I chose the OverEZ coops. I’m very pleased with all aspects of this coop except one, the nests are too small. My smaller chickens barely fit, let alone my big girls. If they have to, they will lay eggs in them, but when available, they lay in a larger nest area I made nearby. Still, this coop is of such quality I purchased a second smaller one for use as a hospital/isolator/new chicken introducing coop.” — chc via Amazon
Best Metal Coop
Polar Aurora Large Metal Chicken Coop
- $299.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the Polar Aurora Large Metal Chicken Coop?
Customers praised this chicken coop for having a simple assembly process. Many noted that the assembly instructions were easy to understand and that the parts were clearly labeled. Customers also recommended this coop for its sturdy build. Negative reviews criticized the manufacturer for not sending all of the parts and for not responding to customer inquiries.
“The instructions were clear and easy to follow. We used extra zip ties to hold things in place while we wire-wrapped them. It seems sturdy, and I think it will help keep predators out… [This coop] leaves plenty of room for the animals to run around. I am very satisfied with this product and would recommend it to anyone. Much easier than building your own coop and running for them. Which I’ve done.” — LeighAnn Gillingham via Amazon
“This coop would have been the ticket if it didn’t need so many modifications. The holes with the spring loaded tabs were not drilled on center. I ended up welding all the joints. I also used my own zip ties to attach the wire, as the provided zip ties and coated wire was junk. Last but not least, the tarp provided is paper thin. If it were not so much work, I would have returned.” — Megan H via Amazon
Best For Small Yards
Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop
- $138.59
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop?
Positive reviews raved about how easy this chicken coop was to put together and clean. However, unhappy customers pointed out that the nesting box had holes in it that rodents could break into. They also said that the wood started to show signs of rain damage after a short period of ownership.
“I purchased this for my small backyard flock. With winter coming, I figured I would get them a cozy upgrade. I am highly impressed with this coop. Instructions were easy to follow and was together in mere minutes. The quality of the wood, while a little on the thin side, went together snugly and without any mishap. Providing my girls with a draft-free enclosure. The dual nesting boxes are nice as well. I have 4 very large hens that fit inside with plenty of room to spare.” — jerry via Amazon
“The nesting box floor has holes in the bottom; for what purpose, I have no idea, but that is a safety concern. Rodents, minks and weasels all would likely be able to enter inside the locked box and prey on your animals. I will need to either fill in those holes somehow or just cut out new flooring altogether. I will not put my ducks in it until the box is sturdy and completely sealed. The wood is thin pine and I will be using bails of straw to build up and around it in the winter for insulation.” — Sarah Shy via Amazon
Best Play Area
Aivituvin Walk-In Chicken Coop
- $209.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying about the Aivituvin Walk-In Chicken Coop?
Many customers loved this chicken coop for being predator-proof, weatherproof, easy to clean, and easy to assemble. However, dissatisfied customers said that their chicken coop arrived in a damaged box or with smaller dimensions than what the product description advertised.
“This was a great buy and super easy to put together! My broody chicken hatched two baby ducks and they seem to love it so far. I’m super glad we bought it, and it arrived way earlier than expected! I’d definitely buy from this company again!” — Anthony M. via Amazon
“It’s a great chicken house if you had very small chickens. I am using this for rabbits. I have two continental giants, and this was way too small for even one. I made adjustments and added to the barn cage to make their space bigger. I would have just rather built one myself for a lot cheaper.” — jasmine.libby via Amazon
Most Portable
Best Choice Products Mobile Chicken Coop
- $199.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Are People Saying About the Best Choice Products Mobile Chicken Coop?
Positive reviews praised this chicken coop for easily fitting four to five chicks. Many reviewers also loved how maneuverable and simple to assemble it was. Negative reviews pointed out that the UV screen and roof were flimsy, increasing the chances that predators could break in.
“The stability of this is better than I had thought. The way everything fits is perfect….The directions said it would take 90 minutes to assemble, but it didn’t take long if you have everything laid out and prepared…. It’s not terribly heavy, so the thickness isn’t bad. The cleaning tray makes this super easy to clean. The wheels help move the coop around with ease, and they are large, much bigger than expected.” — Nlclark05 via Amazon
“Easy to assemble, but not super sturdy, especially if you’ll be moving it around a lot. The roof slats have become warped fairly soon after purchasing. It’s ok and suits my needs, but I’d go with something bigger for chickens.” — Kindle Customer via Amazon
Easiest to Clean
ecoFLEX Fontana Barn
- $228.84
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Homeowners looking for a durable chicken coop with a large interior that’s easy to clean.
What Are People Saying About the ecoFLEX Fontana Barn?
Based on our research, this chicken coop received positive reviews for its easy assembly, sturdy materials, and weatherproof design. However, several customers did note the lack of ventilation in this coop, and others were perplexed about how to properly clean it.
“So, I went from a cheaply made wood coop that literally fell apart the first time I tried to clean it to this little beauty here. What a difference! I could tell the quality when I was putting it together, and all the pieces fit like clockwork. There is nothing fragile about this coop, and it is weatherproof, so it will be in use for quite some time. It also doesn’t have a bunch of gaps in it like the wood coop did, so I know my girls will stay dry and warm. They really like this coop as well. ” — Blah via Amazon
“….My biggest complaint is that the tiny front opening is the only way to access the inside of the coop. How are you supposed to rinse the flooring? They recommend you keep their specialty tool (because they don’t just use regular screws, so you have to use a specialty key to tighten them). I guess unscrewing the top is annoying enough, but then you also have to take apart the roof piece by piece, as it is not a solid top…..So we spent some extra time gluing together the top and putting hinges and new hardware on the roof. Not a deal breaker, but annoying nonetheless. This is an easy engineering fix and a major oversight for a coop that is selling itself on ease of cleaning.” — SaveMama via Amazon
Most Adjustable
PawHut Wooden Chicken Coop
- $209.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Farmers who want a flexible coop with plenty of interior space.
What Are People Saying About the PawHut Wooden Chicken Coop?
Our team found that customers who gave this product a positive review liked that it was easy to put together, had a sturdy design, and provided excellent value for the price. However, some others were concerned about its lid not being fully secure, and others were disappointed in the size, saying it was smaller than they expected.
“This coop came very quickly by FedEx and was very easy to assemble. It is made of sturdy wood and it looks exactly as it is shown in the pictures. We only have two chickens in the coop, and because it is Michigan winter we keep it in the garage currently, and it fits no problem. I wouldn’t get this for more than four chickens to live in. Great investment. —Jenni via Amazon
“I thought this would be way bigger than I had received. It has some really nice qualities and access to your chickens. For the money, I feel like it was a nice starter, but I know we will be putting more money into this cage to make it bigger and more spacious for our little ones. I have one hen and one rooster that are pretty [plump], and six little chicks that won’t grow anymore, so adding on is what we will have to do.” — Aida via Amazon
Elements for a Safe and Secure Coop
The No. 1 threat to backyard chickens is predators. Your coop should serve as a fortress against potential attackers. Here are key features to include:
- Buried fencing extending at least 10 inches underground and curved outward to deter digging predators
- Predator-proof door latches to keep hens safe at night
- Sturdy construction using a combination of wire and wood
- Tightly fitted walls and roof to prevent small predators from squeezing through gaps
For added security, install motion-sensor lights around the coop to scare away nighttime intruders and set up a camera to identify any persistent predators.
Proper Ventilation and Insulation
A well-ventilated coop helps maintain air quality and regulate temperature. Proper insulation keeps chickens warm in winter and cool in summer. Your coop should have the following:
- Adjustable vents near the roof to allow hot air to escape
- Draft-free design to protect chickens from cold winds
- Insulation in walls and roof to maintain a stable internal temperature
- Windows that open to allow air circulation
Secure Doors and Windows
In addition to predator-proofing and insulation, your chicken coop should have secure doors and windows. Use hardware cloth rather than chicken wire for better durability and security, and secure locks on all doors and windows to prevent raccoons and other clever predators from accessing the coop. Design your coop so that all doors open outward to prevent unwanted animals from pushing their way indoors.
Essential Equipment for Your Chicken Coop
Certain equipment, such as waterers, feeders, nesting boxes, and dropping boards, is necessary to meet your chickens’ daily needs. Let’s explore these must-have items.
Waterers and Feeders
Clean water and nutritious food are essential for chicken health. You can use a simple drinker from a farm supply store, but clean it daily to prevent bacteria and mold growth.
Store feed in airtight containers to maintain freshness and deter pests. Additionally, consider using hanging feeders and waterers to keep them off the ground and free from bedding and droppings.
Try: Gravity Drinker for Chickens, about $8; SummerHawk Ranch, The Home Depot
Nesting Boxes and Roosting Bars
Nesting boxes are a safe, secluded space for hens to lay eggs. Roosting bars mimic the branches chickens would use in the wild for sleeping. Here’s what you need:
- About 1 linear foot of roosting space per bird
- One nesting box for every five hens
- Secluded, dark locations for nesting boxes to prevent vent pecking
- Roosting bars with diameters measuring at least 2–3 inches
Droppings Boards and Trays
Maintaining a clean coop will help keep your chickens healthy. Droppings boards and trays can simplify waste removal. Place droppings boards under roosting bars to catch overnight waste, and use removable trays that are easy to clean to reduce ammonia levels and odor. Regularly clean and replace these boards and trays to maintain a hygienic environment.
Creating a Comfortable Living Environment
A comfortable coop encourages natural behaviors and promotes overall chicken health.
Bedding Materials
Proper bedding absorbs waste, reduces odors, and provides comfort. Here are a few options:
- Sand for easy cleaning and dust bathing areas
- Straw for nesting boxes to cushion eggs
- Wood shavings or hemp bedding for the coop floor
Change bedding regularly and make sure it’s dry and mold-free to prevent respiratory issues.
Lighting Solutions
Chickens need light for egg production, and a well-lit coop helps chickens feel secure and prevents pecking and other aggressive behaviors. Natural sunlight is best, but artificial lighting can supplement during shorter winter days. Consider a coop design that allows ample natural light and a 60-watt bulb on a timer for 14–16 hours per day during winter months. Avoid excessive artificial light, which can stress chickens.
Ventilation and Temperature Control
Make sure that your coop has adequate airflow with windows and vents that can be opened and closed depending on the weather. Install fans or use natural airflow designs to reduce humidity and maintain fresh air.
Monitor coop temperatures regularly and use heaters or fans as needed to maintain a comfortable environment for your feathered friends.
Nutritional Needs for Happy Chickens
Commercial chicken feed provides the balanced nutrition your flock needs. Choose a feed appropriate for your chickens’ life stage, such as starter feed for chicks and layer feed for egg-laying hens.
While treats should make up no more than 10% of a chicken’s diet, they can provide enrichment and additional nutrients. Consider offering your flock the following:
- Garden-grown treats such as kale, spinach, or carrots
- Grit to aid in digestion
- Kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings or fruit
- Oyster shells for additional calcium
Health and Hygiene Considerations
Maintaining a clean coop and being prepared for health issues will help your flock thrive.
Cleaning Supplies
Regular cleaning prevents the buildup of harmful bacteria and parasites. Stock up on the following supplies:
- Food-grade diatomaceous earth to control pests
- Scrub brushes and a hose for cleaning
- Vinegar or poultry-safe disinfectants for sanitizing
First Aid Kit for Chickens
Chickens can sustain minor injuries or catch illnesses, so we strongly recommend having a first aid kit handy. The kit should contain the following:
- Antiseptic spray
- Gauze and self-adhering bandages
- Tweezers for splinter or tick removal
- Veterinary antibiotic ointment
Electrolytes and probiotics can also support chickens during recovery from illness or stress.
Regular Health Checks
Frequent health checks help detect potential issues early. Develop a habit of inspecting your chickens regularly for signs of illness or injury, monitor their weight and egg production, and observe your flock for any behavioral changes.
Enrichment and Entertainment for Your Flock
Happy chickens are active and engaged. They enjoy pecking and exploring. Offer a variety of toys, such as the following:
- Hanging vegetables or fruit
- Securely mounted mirrors
- Xylophone or other musical toys
An outdoor run is another great way for your chickens to receive enrichment and get some exercise. Dust baths, perches, and natural covers are all great options for your run. Rotating the area where your chickens forage can also keep the ground fresh and reduce the buildup of parasites and pathogens, so we recommend installing mobile fencing to make moving the run area simple.
Seasonal Considerations for Chicken Coops
Different seasons bring unique challenges for chicken keepers. Prepare your coop for year-round comfort.
Winter Preparations
Cold weather requires extra care to keep your flock comfortable. Add extra bedding for insulation, use a heated water base to prevent freezing, and install a heat lamp for extreme weather conditions—but be cautious of fire risks. Make sure the coop remains draft-free but still well-ventilated to prevent moisture buildup.
Summer Cooling Strategies
Hot weather can stress chickens. Help them stay cool by providing shade in the run area and offering frozen treats like watermelon or frozen corn. Make sure your flock always has access to fresh, cool water.
You can also install misters or fans in the coop to lower the temperature. If you notice signs of heat stress, such as panting or lethargy, take immediate action to cool your chickens down.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Coops
Where should I put my chicken coop?
Here are some general guidelines of the best places to keep your chicken coop:
- Place your coop as far away as possible from both your house and your neighbors’ houses but still within earshot of your home to hear disturbances.
- If there’s a fence or hedge between your property and a neighbor’s, avoid putting your coop directly next to it to prevent the chickens from damaging the property boundary.
- Move your chicken coop every three to six months to give your grass a chance to grow back in the previously used area.
- Don’t put your coop in direct sunlight, as extreme heat will distress the chickens.
What flooring should I use inside my chicken coop?
If possible, place your chicken coop over a patch of grass or dirt instead of using artificial flooring. This will allow your chickens to peck at the ground for grubs. However, you can also cover this surface with straw or wood shavings to keep the chickens comfortable. If you live in an area where predatory animals are a concern, consider placing the coop on a concrete or wooden surface instead to keep predators from digging under the coop to reach the chickens.
Should I put a rooster in my chicken coop?
Roosters are natural leaders, so they can help your hens feel more secure, which could increase egg production. However, keep in mind that roosters crow multiple times per day, which may be a problem if you live in an area with strict noise regulations or if your coop is close to a neighbor’s house.
Is it cheaper to buy or build a chicken coop?
In many cases, the cost of materials is significantly cheaper than purchasing a pre-built chicken coop. However, the labor, tools, and skills required to build a sturdy coop may outweigh that of a pre-built coop. Additionally, a hand-built coop may not be as durable, weatherproof, or secure for your chickens compared to a pre-built model.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of [products] with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final short list, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
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