This step by step woodworking project is about how to build a chicken coop plans free. Building a lean to chicken coop out of wood will enhance the look of your yard, while supplying your family with fresh meat and eggs. If you are an absolute beginner when it comes to raising chickens, you should start with a smaller chicken coop, as the one shown in this article requires a significant investment.
Before starting the actual construction of the chicken coop, we recommend you to look over the design alternatives and too choose the design that really fits your needs. For example, if you want to build a basic construction with a small surface, you have to take a look at these a-frame chicken coop plans. Taking into account this project requires a significant investment, you might be better off with a simple chicken coop.
In order to build the coop in just an weekend and to get a professional result, we recommend you invest in high-quality materials. Choose pressure-treated lumber and check if all the slats are straight and in a good condition. Use T1-11 sheets for the exterior siding and add 1×4 trims to the corners of the structure and around the edges of the opening, in order to enhance the look of the chicken coop. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.
Made from this plan
Building a chicken coop free pans
Materials
- A – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 96″ long, 5 pieces – 45″ long FLOOR FRAME
- B – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 48″x96″ long FLOORING
- C – 6 pieces of 2×4 – 71″, 2 pieces – 96″, 2 pieces – 69 1/2″, 1 piece – 31″ FRONT WALL
- C – 5 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 82 3/4″ long, 2 pieces – 96″ long BACK WALL
- C – 8 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 71″ long, 4 pieces – 41″ long, 4 pieces – 20″ long SIDE WALLS
- D – 7 pieces of 5/8” grooved plywood – 48″x96″ long SIDING
- E – 5 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 49 3/4″ long RAFTERS
- F – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′, 40 sq ft of tar paper, asphalt shingles ROOFING
- G – 1×4 trims cut at different sizes TRIMS
- 33 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
- 3 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 10 ft
- 7 pieces of 5/8” T1-11 – 4’x8′
- 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
- 40 sq ft of tar paper, asphalt shingles
- 2 1/2″ screws
- 1 1/4″ screws
- glue, stain
- wood filler
Tools
- Safety gloves, glasses, Miter saw, jigsaw
- Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
- Drill machinery and drill bits
Tips
- Use a good miter saw to make the angle cuts
- Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws
Time
- One Week
Related
- Part 1: How to build a chicken coop free plans
- Part 2: How to build a chicken nesting box
How to build a chicken coop plans free
The first step of the woodworking project is to build the floor of the chicken coop. As you can see in the plans, you need to build the frame from 2×4 or 2×6 lumber. Cut the joists at the right size, drill pilot holes trough the rim components and insert 3 1/2″ galvanized screws into the regular joists. Check if the corners are right-angled before attaching the 3/4″ plywood sheets. Use 1 1/4″ screws to lock the plywood into place tightly.
Afterwards, you should assemble the wall frames of the chicken coop. Cut the 2×4 lumber and assemble them together, as in the plans, using 3 1/2″ galvanized screws. It is essential to pre-drill the components before inserting the screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. Leave enough space for the door opening, otherwise you won’t have room to enter into the chicken coop.
Building the back wall is a lot easier, but you should remember that the top of the studs should be cut at 15 degrees. Use a carpentry square to make sure the corners are right-angled.
Continue the woodworking project by assembling the side walls. As you can notice in the image, we recommend you to leave space for small windows, as to let the light get inside the construction. Frame the window as in the plans, in order to create a rigid structure.
Place the wall frames on top of the floor, drill pilot holes trough the bottom plates and insert 4 1/2″ screws into the joists. Make sure you pay special attention to these steps, as you need to plumb the walls and to check if the corners are right-angled. Drill screws into the adjacent walls, in order to add support to the construction.
After building the frame of the chicken coop, we recommend you to build the 2×4 rafters and to fit them into place. Drill pilot holes trough the rafters and insert the screws into the top plates of the coop. Make sure you space the rafters as in the image, in order to support the weight of the roof efficiently.
The next step of the backyard project is to attach the siding to the walls. Adjust the size of the 5/8″ siding to the right size, by using a circular saw and lock the sheets to the frame with galvanized screws. Make sure you cut out the door opening in a professional manner (drill a starting hole and cut out the piece with a jigsaw), as we are going to use it for the front door.
Attach the sheets to the back wall, making sure you align the sheets to the top plates. Insert 1 1/4″ screws into the studs, every 8″.
In addition, we recommend you to attach the siding to the side walls, in the same manner described above. Cut out the window openings, as well as the opening for the nesting boxes, on one side of the chicken coop.
Attach the 1×4 trims to the edges of the chicken coop, using finishing nails and waterproof glue. It is not compulsory to attach the trims to the exterior of the chicken coop, but it will most certainly add value to the construction.
Attach a piece of 3/4″ plywood to the rafters, tar paper and asphalt shingles. Make sure the strips of tar paper overlap at least 2″, in order to protect the structure from bad weather. Start laying the 3 tab shingles from the bottom left section of the roof.
Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. In order to get a professional result, fill the holes and the gaps with wood filler and let it dry out for a few hours. Check if there are protruding screws and fix this issue, if necessary.
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