How to Build a Coop

Measure out eight 2-by-4 boards at about 4 to 5 feet. Measure out four 2-by-4 boards to about 3 to 4 feet.

Place your 2-by-4s on the sawhorses and cut them at the measured length with your circular saw.

Nail the 2-by-4s together at the corners to create an open-ended rectangle that measures 4 to 5 feet by 3 to 4 feet.

Cut four rectangles of chicken wire fence that are slightly larger than the open holes on each side of your wooden rectangle. Hold these up against the openings and nail them in place through the fence openings at the corners and at several spots along the length on each side.

Cut out a piece of plywood that measures the same length and width of your 2-by-4 rectangle. Hold this in place on top of the rectangle and line up the edges so there is no overhang. Nail the plywood into place at the corners and along a few spots on the edges of each side.

Place your newly built ventilation area on the ground with the plywood area facing upwards. Cut out the center of the plywood floor, leaving an outer edge of about 2 inches along the sides.

Measure the area you have cut out on the floor and cut out a chicken wire floor using these measurements. Add an extra inch to each side measurement to give you room to nail it down. Nail it down through the fence loops at the corners and at a few spots along the sides.

Cut four 4-by-4 boards that measure about 6 feet tall. Place each of these boards on the corners of your plywood floor and nail them down to create the wall posts. Measure the distance between each of these posts.

Draw four rectangles on your plywood that measure 6 feet high and the width between the posts you measured earlier. Cut them out using your circular saw.

Hold the plywood sheets into place between each of the posts and line up the edges between the sheets and the posts. Screw them into place using your screwdriver and 6-inch screws.

Attach all of the wall sides using this method. Use your level to make sure the sides are level as you attach them. Cut out a rectangle that is as wide and as long as the open rectangular area on top of your walls. Nail this into place on the top of your coop.

Cut out two pieces of plywood measuring as wide as your coop and about 3 to 4 feet long. Hold these on top of your coup at an angle. The bottom edges should hang a few inches over the side of your coop and the top edges should meet in an angled roof shape.

Nail your slanted roof bottom to the top of the coup and into the walls underneath. Nail the slanted roof top ends together through the top edges.

Measure the length, width and angles of the triangles created by your angled roof and cut two of these triangles out of your plywood. Nail them into place inside the triangular openings.

Cut out a door on the front of your coup. The door should start at the bottom of the front wall and measure about 2 to 3 feet wide and 3 to 4 feet tall depending on the length and width of your wall.

Remove the plywood door from the hole and nail two metal hinges on the top and bottom of the hole. Replace the plywood door and nail the hinges to the top and bottom of the door to hold it in place. Add more hinges along the edge if necessary.

Nail your chicken nesting boxes along the walls on the inside of your coup. Add as many nesting boxes as necessary to fit all your chickens. Each chicken should have access to one box.

Measure a piece of plywood as wide as your door and about 6 feet long. Hold this in place underneath your door and slant it down to the ground to create a ramp. Screw it in place where the edge touches the coop.