How to Make Chicken Hutches

Making a chicken hutch is ideal if you are not going to raise more than one or two chickens at a time. Hutches are not complicated structures, but some woodworking skill will help the project speed along. Before you begin this project, however, check city codes in your corner of the world to see if there are any restrictions or guidelines for raising chickens.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 pieces of 1-by-2-by-30-inch lumber
  • Wood glue
  • 2 pieces of 30-by-12-by-¾-inch plywood
  • 3d box nails
  • 2 pieces of 30-by-6-by-¾-inch plywood
  • Chicken wire
  • Chicken wire cutters
  • 2 pieces of 2-by-2-by-36-inch lumber
  • 2 pieces of 2-by-2-by-21-inch lumber
  • 2 pieces of 2-by-2-by-32½-inch lumber
  • 2 pieces of 2-by-2-by-20½-inch lumber
  • Hinges
  • 2 latches
  • 2 pieces of 1-by-2-by-37½-inch pieces of lumber
  • 1 piece of 37½-by-31½-by-¾-inch plywood
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Instructions

    • 1

      Apply glue to two of the 1-by-2-by-30-inch lumber and secure them to one of the 30-inch edges of the 30-by-12-by-¾-inch plywood with the 3d box nails. These are supports for the chicken hutch floor.

    • 2

      Place the four 2-by-2-by-36-inch lumber (the legs) on the worktable and make a mark 12 inches from one end of each. Secure the plywood to the legs with the 3d box nails.

    • 3

      Secure the 6-by-30-by-¾-inch plywood to the top of the legs. Next, measure, cut and secure chicken wire to the space between the 6 and 12-inch plywood.

    • 4

      Secure the sides to the 36-by-24-by-¾-inch plywood to with the 3d box nails. Next, build a rectangular frame with the 2-by-2-by-36-inch lumber and the 2-by-2-by-21-inch lumber placing the 21-inch pieces between the 36-inch pieces.

    • 5

      Secure the frame to the front of the chicken hutch with the 6d box nails. Build another frame with the 2-by-2-by-32½-inch lumber and the 2-by-2-by-20½-inch lumber placing the 20½-inch pieces between the 32½-inch pieces. Cover this frame (door) with chicken wire.

    • 6

      Install hinges on the door and then install the door to the frame. Install latches on either side of the door to keep it in place.

    • 7

      Secure the two 1-by-2-by-37½-inch pieces of lumber to the bottom side of the 37½-by-31½-by-¾-inch plywood with the 3d box nails. Next, secure the 1-by-2-by-30-inch lumber between the 37½-inch pieces with the 3d box nails. This is the top to the chicken hutch.