5 Chicken Coop Ideas: Practical Designs for Safety and Comfort
Posted April 1, 2025 by Emily Pascale at RedFin Blog
Thinking about getting chickens? Welcome to the world of fresh eggs, quirky clucks, and backyard fun. Before you bring your feathered friends home, planning the design of your coop is essential—ensuring both safety and practicality while adding your personal touch.
So whether you're planning to raise chickens at home in Asheville, NC, Eugene, OR, or Burlington, VT, these expert tips and guidance will help you create the right coop to not only match your style but also provide the necessary safety features for your flock to thrive.
1. Give your flock room to roost
Before you dive into the fun of raising chickens, it’s important to plan your chicken coop ideas upfront so your flock has a safe, comfortable home.
Jennifer Murtoff, of Home to Roost Chickens in Chicago, IL, a chicken consultant and educator, explains that while chickens aren’t too particular about what their homes look like, there are still some essential guidelines to follow with size.
“I’ve seen coops made from all kinds of materials, including wooden cable spools, barn cupolas, and a converted cold-frame greenhouse. Chickens, however, have certain living-space requirements. Their space must be dry, draft-free, and secure from predators. Each bird needs about 4 square feet inside the coop and 6 to 8 square feet per bird in the outdoor run. Nest boxes and the coop interior should be dimly lit to minimize aggression.”
Claire Dineen of Bitchin’ Chickens adds to the conversation of planning the size of your coop while also adding additional key tips.
“Coops are critical for the protection and safety of your flock. Whether large or small, homemade or purchased, fancy or simple, every coop should be designed with key factors in mind: interior space, location, fenced run vs. free-range, predator-proofing, window openings, ventilation, and door type (manual or automatic).. The motto 'Go big or go home' applies here. Regardless of how many birds you start with—or think you might want—it's smart to build as much as your space and budget allow. If you catch the ‘chicken math’ bug, you'll be set to accommodate an expanding flock. If you're content with a small flock, they'll appreciate the extra space.”
2. Set the foundation for a safe, functional coop
Once you have the size planned out, shift your focus to airflow, lighting, and shelter, three key elements that keep your chickens healthy and laying consistently.
Let the light in and keep the air moving
Laura Mikulski of Ferndale Chickens in Michigan shares how thoughtful design supports both comfort and productivity.
“When building a chicken coop, natural light and protected ventilation are key. I recommend incorporating a clear polycarbonate roof or large windows to brighten the space and support healthy egg production. Ventilation should be thoughtfully designed to prevent drafts while maintaining airflow—in my own coop, I used roof ventilation with a directional flap to control air exchange throughout the seasons. And don’t forget to cover the run. This adds essential protection from predators and the elements, making it safer and more comfortable for your flock.”
Consider the climate you live in and the changing seasons
No matter what chicken coop ideas you come up with, ventilation is essential and should be set up to adapt to your local climate. Kassandra Kern of Country Life Charm Blog explains how to balance airflow for both hot summers and cold winters.
“Ventilation for your chicken coop is very important, especially in hotter climates. Chickens can tolerate cold weather over the heat much better, as long as they have protection from cold drafts and rain. Providing a cool breeze, yet having a strong windbreak is something to consider.”
Ventilation isn’t the only weather-related factor to keep in mind. Suzanne of Flower Feather Farm in Washington State, points out that your comfort matters too.
“When planning your chicken coop, think about how agile you are. Does the coop you are planning have hard-to-get-at corners? That’s where your hens will decide to lay. Make sure all parts of the coop and run are easy for you to access. Invest in running power to your coop so you can run heated waterers in freezing weather. No one wants to carry water out multiple times a day on super cold days. Don’t forget to plan for vermin-proof food storage, and if possible, allow barn cat access to help keep pests under control.”
Focus on the essentials first
When it comes to chicken coop ideas, it’s okay to keep it simple and stick to the fundamentals.
Leigh Spurgin of Steel Raven Farms in Clarksville, GA reminds new chicken owners to focus on the essentials first. “The most important thing about chicken coops comes down to three things; safety for the chicken, ventilation (yes, even in winter), and what you can actually do physically and/or financially. Don’t feel that you have to have the biggest, fanciest, or most extravagant coop. Roosting bars, nesting boxes, and just about everything else can be made from repurposed materials you already have on your property.”
3. Prioritize safety, inside and out
Prioritizing safety is one of the most important chicken coop ideas to get right from the start. A well-built setup protects your flock from predators, pests, and harsh weather, while also making care and cleaning much easier over time.
Protect against predators
Mary Ann Yoder, volunteer at the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Spring, KS, emphasizes the importance of safeguarding your chickens from predators while still allowing them access to fresh air and sunshine.
“Chicken coops should include ample outdoor space, since chickens need the sun and fresh air. This space should be measured by the number of chickens to be included: one cubic foot per bird. The outdoor enclosure should be protected from assault from the sky and the earth. That means installing a barrier six inches below ground, and some above ground barrier. Avoid using chicken wire as that can easily be torn by raccoons, foxes, coyotes and possums. Ideally, netting or another type of overhead covering can be added for extra protection, even though chickens typically aren't outside at night. Safe coops make for safe chickens.”
Think about long-term security
When investing in a chicken coop, it's important to think beyond immediate needs and plan for the long haul. Tori Mellott of Mellott Chicken Coops in San Diego, CA encourages considering features that will make life easier in the future.
“When choosing a chicken coop, look for one that’s sturdy, easy to clean, and spacious enough for the flock you have—and the extra chickens you might fall in love with later. As coop builders, we always encourage people to think long-term: good ventilation, predator protection, and practical features make daily care so much easier. Plus, the right coop doesn’t just do the job, it adds a little charm and sustainability to your backyard, too.”
Expect the unexpected
Raising chickens often starts with a picture-perfect vision but it’s important to also consider the realities as well. David Roberts of Besty, a platform that connects chicken owners with local chicken hotels, shares things to consider as you prepare for your chickens.
“When you first get chickens you will perhaps have a fantasy about the idyllic backyard chicken coop with happy chickens pecking around and maybe your kids skipping along to collect eggs. While you can have all of that, there are some harsh realities that you need to consider when getting chickens.
You'll need to clean up after your chickens a lot, at least once a week your coop will need to be cleaned out. So choose a coop you can clean quickly and easily.
It is highly likely that your chickens will get red mite at some point in their lives. These are extremely tiny little blood sucking insects that cause your chickens harm and upset. If you have a wooden coop then once you have them they are difficult to get rid of.
Fox and other wild animals will want to eat your chickens. Your coop needs to be secure at night so that animals can't get in.
For all these reasons a secure coop made of hard plastic is generally the best. You can normally slide the base out to empty the chicken poop, then pressure wash it out. It will last for years and mite find it hard to hide away (keep your chickens dusted with diatomaceous earth powder regularly to keep mite at bay).”
4. Personalize your coop
Once you've taken care of safety and practicality, you can focus on adding your personal style to your coop.
Choose a design that reflects your home
James Gibbon of Montana Farm Life in Bozeman, MT suggests designing your coop with your home’s character in mind.
“When thinking of chicken coop ideas, some of the best ones come from your home. Think of the chicken coop as a value-adding asset to your property. We matched our coop with the wood on the outside of our home to create a seamless look and feel. You can also try to emulate the fencing around the coop with the fencing around the rest of the property. Doing this will create a lasting aesthetic to your chicken coop that will age in step with your home.”
Aim for both style and functionality
More and more chicken owners are finding that their coops can be both practical and polished and Foer 7 Farms in Hallettsville, TX is redefining what backyard chicken keeping looks like.
“We love showing people that a chicken coop doesn’t have to be a rough-looking shed in the backyard. Today’s chicken owners are looking for coops that reflect their personal style—clean, functional, and thoughtfully designed. We’ve found that simple lines, neutral tones, and convenience-focused features like automatic doors, hardware cloth bottoms, and easy-access egg collection are consistently at the top of our buyers’ wish lists. Whether it’s for farm-fresh eggs or the joy of watching feathered friends roam the yard, chicken keeping has never looked so good.”
DIY with personal touches
If you’re handy or just eager to customize your setup, building your own coop can be a satisfying project. It gives you the flexibility to match your style and your chickens’ needs.
Kristina Cooper of Eco-Luxe Living in Hawai’i shares her expertise. “Raising chickens is a rewarding venture, but it all starts with a safe, comfortable coop. Building your own DIY chicken coop gives you the freedom to tailor it to your space, budget, and flock size. Be sure to include essentials like nesting boxes, roosting bars, good ventilation, and easy access for cleaning."
5. Enhance your coop with charming elements
After you have your design planned and set up for your chicken coop, whether you want to keep it simple or jazz it up, Kathy Vegh Hughes, founder and CEO of Cutest Coops offers charming final touches.
“A thoughtfully designed chicken coop with both functionality and aesthetics in mind should be an enhancement of the property’s value, especially as more homeowners embrace backyard farming and sustainability. We believe that a chicken coop should bring joy and quickly become a happy place. It's a structure that allows for a creative outlet with fun design elements such as chicken coop flooring, whimsical wallpaper, an occasional chandelier and other cute decorative elements that reflect the chicken keeper's personality all while complimenting the main home on the property.”
She goes on to say, “Our coops are built not only to look beautiful and reflect design trends, but also to provide optimal protection for chickens against predators, ensure their health and comfort, and make daily care easy and enjoyable for the chicken keepers. Features like storage, walk-in access, and ergonomic design offer a seamless and stylish way to support this growing lifestyle trend.”
Making the most of these chicken coop ideas
A well-designed coop blends comfort, safety, and style, making it just as enjoyable for you as it is for your hens. From clever repurposing to sleek modern builds, these chicken coop ideas offer inspiration for every kind of backyard setup. And since owning chickens comes with plenty of benefits, it’s worth creating a space that keeps your flock happy while showcasing your personal style.
