How to Build a Chicken Coop: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Amazon Customer: This book deal mostly focuses on carpentry skills than plans or give you any ideals of a coop.

United States on Apr 10, 2023

Charles M. Bowers: Building a coop

United States on Feb 18, 2023

Brett: Clear layout of plans

Australia on May 25, 2022

Anthony: Written in imperial measurements...know that I would not have bought it

Australia on Mar 24, 2021

frale: At first, it looks like it is for beginners.And everybody who reads it found something that gave them real confidence.
Like consulting an "architec".
I enjoyed very much lending it to those peoples who know everything and want to compete.

Canada on Mar 12, 2021

NINA BUSBY: Ideal book for my partner to build his coop ! Well worth it

United Kingdom on Feb 03, 2017

LittlePlum um hum: This was a great help in making my mind up to buy a hen house! It is well set out and full of great information but it made me realise my limitations. However it inspired me to get my husband to make lots of other stuff!

United Kingdom on Dec 27, 2012

Keep smiling: We're new to chicken coops and many things construction. I sat down with my dad and we read through the book. There were a number of plans and we eventually decided to slightly modify the plan showed on the cover, but with the directions provided it was very easy for us to do that. Dad and I are very mathematically oriented, but not so construction oriented so we really needed a book like this. If my dad had not come by to help, I would simply have done the coop on the cover and I feel pretty confident that I could have done it myself. The equipment lists were absolutely a life saver. It took us (emphasis on him) about two weeks to buy the material, build the coop and take days off to go golfing and shopping with my mom.

I must admit I looked for hours on the internet for free coop plans and while there were some cool looking chicken coops out there, nothing I found had the level of detail I needed to make a chicken coop beyond a one or two chicken project. I am not the kind of person who can see a picture of something and make it. I need detailed, step by step instructions which was exactly what this book provided. I really liked the variety of options available since many...

United States on Jul 08, 2011

mkmk: For <$20 one gets chapters on where to build, how to build, what materials, lots of info on general carpentry and 5 coop plans. It's written by 1) a do-it-yourself writer, 2)an owner of Horizon structures and 3)the co-author of the excellent companion book, 'Raising Chickens For Dummies".

Building a chicken coop is very personal. I've scanned the internet endlessly. There are tons of plans, a few graciously offered freely, but most you have to pay for the so-called schematics. I know what I want in a 'home': 3 chickens, easy clean, well protected-weather and pest, room for me to go inside the run, easy access to nest, cute appearance. Absolutely must contain slideout drip pans for fast cleanout! That's me.

The 5 plans are at different skill levels and needs:
1)the Minimal Coop- box shaped with single, sloping roof, simple hinged door, ~4'X4'X4', no adjoining run, good it states for 4-5 birds. Price tag ~$200 for building supplies. Easy;
2)the Alpine A-frame- 4'wide X 10'long X ~4'tall,, 2 nest boxes, screened run with door, 2-4 birds, looks cute, ~$300, not too hard, but you do have to cut some simple angles;
3)the Urban Tractor- 3'X6' with peaked roof...

United States on Sep 10, 2010

Michael A. Morrisey: I found this book to cover all the basics, not only what your chickens require; but, also what you'll need to build a basic coop. It covers the basic carpentry skills and tools needed to build 5 coops; from the Minimal to the Walk-In; suitable for small flocks. Not only that, it also explains the why's for each aspect of construction and use of tools.

As for your chickens, if you follow the suggestions in the book, you'll have a happy flock. Roosts, nest boxes, ramps, lighting, ventilation are all covered in detail; as well as suitable materials for each.

The plans given are very basic, so if your looking for a coop with a bit more style such as Victorian or Country Cottage you won't find it here. However, with the information in this book, you can easily use a shed or playhouse plan and using the information in the this book, adapt the plan for chickens.

Overall it's a good baisc book with a lot of information for the backyard coop builder.

United States on Sep 06, 2010