Types of Chicken Houses

Whether you want an unusual pet or want to sell eggs at the local farmers' market, raising chickens can be a very rewarding experience. No matter your reason for owning them, one rule remains a constant: your chickens need shelter to keep them away from predators and out of extreme temperatures. Your coop should include a place for your chickens to perch and a nestbox for your hens to lay their eggs.

  1. Portable/Tractor Coops

    • For chickens that aren't allowed to run free in the yard but are still encouraged to get sun and exercise, the portable coop makes it easy to direct exactly where your flock can graze. Tractor coops have an enclosed roosting and nesting section as well as a wired area that will allow your chickens to get some time in the sun. Portable housing lets you maintain your garden or yard while allowing your chickens variety in their surroundings. Coops like this are by nature small and portable, and thus do not typically support a lot of chickens.

    Stationary Coops with Free-Range Chickens

    • Stationary coops are permanent structures that can be any size, up to and including full henhouses, which allow humans to enter and exit comfortably. Flooring on these coops tends to be made of wood and wiring, and is lifted slightly off the ground. This is to allow waste to drop through, which makes routine cleaning easier. As this type of housing can be any size, you should be able to house all of your chickens comfortably in one coop.

      If you allow your chickens to roam freely during the day, a fully walled and windowed nesting and roosting space might be preferred. This selection would not have the built-in space for ranging, like tractor coops. The protection it affords during the night is the benefit to this coop, and come daytime, you can just open the doors and let your chickens roam.

    Stationary Coops with Confined Chickens

    • When your chickens are to be confined at all times, your may prefer a stationary coop with a built-in, tiered system that allows shelter for roosting and nesting, while allowing some open, wired space below for exercise and sun. Some tiered models are built completely to the ground, instead of being raised slightly above it, to allow for things like foraging and dust-bathing. Other, non-tiered models may keep the coop slightly raised and fully walled, while including an attached wire running area. With this type of coop, you know exactly where your chickens are at all times, and the risk of losing them to predators is negligible.

    Wooden Coops

    • Most coops are constructed using chicken wire, untreated wood and the appropriate nails, screws, and tools. Others include the use of roofing shingles to better protect against the elements. Adding metal to the outside of the coop, such as hinging, will allow for better stability of your coop and make access easier for you. Wooden coops are more cost-effective than plastic alternatives and allow you to expand your chickens' home; however, you must ensure that your chickens remain dry. If your wood is not water-sealed using a bird-friendly sealant, moisture may invade the wood and your flock may become ill.

    Plastic Coops

    • Small, portable environments are usually modeled by a manufacturer for a small number of chickens at a time. Plastic coops tend to be much lighter and simple to move around the yard. Cleaning up after your chickens is faster and easier than in wooden models. Unfortunately, they are typically much more expensive than wood.

    Pre-Made Coops

    • There are many sites online that boast different designs to choose from, allowing you to see many coops before deciding which to purchase. Your involvement in the coop itself is minimal; you just decide where it goes. This is an option for people who need a coop quickly or who don't trust themselves to construct their own.

    Building from Scratch

    • If you enjoy crafts or are good with a hammer, screwdriver, and drill, your best option is to build your coop from scratch. Many blueprints and pictures online can help you decide on your design. While it might take more time than going to the internet and clicking "Buy Now," you will have a direct hand in every step of construction and will know how sturdy and how safe your coop is. Moreover, you will be saving money.