How Much Does a Chicken Coop Cost to Build?
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Homeowners who raise chickens can benefit from farm-fresh eggs, convenience, money savings, and a sustainable way of living. A chicken coop costs an average of $650, although the typical range is between $300 and $2,000.
Highlights
- It typically costs from $300 to $2,000 to build a chicken coop, with homeowners paying a national average of $650.
- When building a chicken coop, homeowners will find that several factors can influence the total cost, including the number of nest boxes, the size and style of the coop, the construction material used, and the flooring material used.
- Building a backyard chicken coop comes with many benefits, including healthier chickens, healthier and tastier eggs, sustainability, garden improvements, and family involvement.
- Many homeowners can easily build a basic chicken coop themselves using a prefabricated kit, but it may be worthwhile to hire a pro to build a more elaborate custom design.
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Farmers have been raising chickens in their backyards for many years, but now this activity has become a trend for homeowners who enjoy not only taking care of the animals but also the farm-fresh eggs they produce. A desire to be more self-sufficient and sustainable has led to more people adding a chicken coop to their backyard decor. Learning about the essentials of raising backyard chickens and knowing which type of chicken coop to build can be overwhelming, and there can be questions about how to budget for this project. According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, the typical cost to build a chicken coop is $300 to $2,000, with the national average being $650. Keep reading to discover how much it costs to build and maintain different types of chicken coops, and see all the factors involved in the pricing.
Factors in Calculating Chicken Coop Cost
A number of key elements impact the price to build a chicken coop successfully. These factors include the number of nest boxes added; the size and style of the coop; materials chosen for flooring, framing, walls, roof covering, and mesh; and the labor fees associated with either putting together a prefabricated kit or designing and constructing a custom coop.
Number of Nest Boxes
Nest boxes, which are enclosed cubbies filled with fresh straw or other bedding material, are places where chickens can nest and lay their eggs. They can be homemade using lumber, or they can be purchased ready-made for about $30 per box. Having at least one box per chicken is recommended. Therefore, the number of chickens will dictate the total price of the best nest boxes for the coop.
Size and Style
The more chickens, the bigger the coop. The bigger the coop, the pricier it will be to build. Each chicken needs 3 to 5 square feet of space in the coop to move around. If it gets too crowded, the chickens may become competitive and peck at each other. The best chicken coops accommodate the number of current chickens and leave room for additional ones in the future. Homeowners will want to keep in mind that there should also be enough space for the run. Each chicken needs at least 15 square feet, and some experts recommend 25 square feet per chicken. With the average chicken coop housing three to six chickens, about 30 square feet of space will be needed inside, and the run will need to be 90 to 150 square feet.
Style also impacts the price of the chicken coop. A-frame coops cost about $200 to $300, tractor coops cost between $300 and $500, walk-in styles range from $300 to $1,000, and all-in-one coops are the most expensive and range from $1,000 to $4,000.
Construction Material
Chicken coops can be made of different materials, and all come with varying benefits and price points. Decisions about which materials to use for the framing, wall, roof covering, and mesh will drive the price. There can be a wide range of chicken coop budgets based on materials. A small chicken coop for four chickens that’s built using the least expensive materials could be $200, while a large, custom-built coop made from premium materials could easily cost over $2,000. The following table shows the most common types of materials and their typical prices.
| Type of Material | Characteristics | Cost Range | Average Cost |
| Corrugated Tin | Sheeting material for roof and walls
Strong/durable Low maintenance Poor insulator |
$15 to $20 per sheet | $17.50 per sheet |
| Mesh | Covers windows
Seals against predators Used for the run |
$30 to $40 per board roll | $35 per board roll |
| Plastic | Sheeting material
Expensive Common in kits |
$25 to $30 per sheet | $27.50 per sheet |
| Plywood | Used for walls and roofing
Budget-friendly |
$10 to $20 per sheet | $15 per sheet |
| Pressure-treated lumber | Used for framing
Affordable Resistant to rot and insect infestation Concern that chemicals in it can harm chickens |
$7 to $10 per board foot | $8.50 per board foot |
| PVC | Used for framing
Affordable Lightweight Modern Often combined with mesh and plastic |
$5 to $6 per linear foot | $5.50 per linear foot |
| Redwood | Used for framing, walls, and roof
Insect- and rot-resistant No staining, sealing, or chemical applications required Long lasting |
$10 to $12 per board foot | $11 per board foot |
| Softwood | Used for frames, walls, and roofing
Budget-friendly |
$2 to $3 per board foot | $2.50 per board foot |
Flooring Material
Although installing a constructed floor is not required, there are many benefits to having a stable floor, including protecting chickens from predators, keeping pests out, making the cleaning process easier, insulating the coop in cold weather, and providing a more comfortable surface for the chickens to walk on.
There is a wide range of floor materials available at different price points. Vinyl is the cheapest option and very easy to clean. Wooden boards are simple to install, but they are not that easy to clean. Wood also needs to be sealed to prevent waste from seeping into the boards. Next, rubberized roofing material is an inexpensive and popular option that is also easy to clean and walk on. Plywood can also be used; it is simple to install but some pests are able to get through it. Wire helps keep burrowing predators from getting inside the coop, but it needs to be covered with another material or a deep layer of sand or dirt to prevent damage to the chickens’ feet. Rubber mats are durable, heavy, easy to clean, very comfortable for the chickens, and effective at deterring predators. Finally, concrete is the most expensive flooring option. It’s most effective for keeping out pests and predators; however, it is not very comfortable for chickens to walk on. The chart below lists the prices for each type of flooring material.
| Flooring Material | Cost Range | Average Cost |
| Concrete | $75 to $125 per cubic yard | $100 per cubic yard |
| Plywood | $10 to $20 per sheet | $15 per sheet |
| Rubberized roofing material | $7 to $9 per square foot | $8 per square foot |
| Rubber mats | $45 to $80 per sheet | $62.50 per sheet |
| Vinyl | $2 to $8 per square foot | $5 per square foot |
| Wire | $35 to $45 per roll | $40 per roll |
| Wooden board | $7 to $9 per board foot | $8 per board foot |
Labor
Although some people construct a chicken coop on their own, others choose to either purchase a prefab chicken coop kit or have a chicken coop custom made. A contractor from one of the best handyman services can help put together the kit, and these pros typically charge $60 to $100 per hour for the service. An average-size coop should only take a couple of hours to build, so homeowners will want to budget at least $120 to $200 for labor costs. It is recommended that a homeowner hire a carpenter for a custom-built coop. Carpenters usually charge around $100 per hour or they may charge by the project. It could take about a half a day to construct a smaller design, but it may take several days for a larger, more extensive one. There may be other labor fees, too, depending on where the chicken coop is to be placed. These can include costs to clear the land ($1,250 to $4,460), level the land ($400), remove trees ($200 to $2,000), and remove tree stumps ($320 per stump).
Want to build a chicken coop?
Consult a top-rated local pro. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from builders near you.
Additional Costs and Considerations
In addition to the main factors that influence the price of a chicken coop, there are some additional, and somewhat unexpected, costs to take into account when raising chickens. These costs range from repairs to installing temperature-control systems and egg catchers for making egg collection easier. Homeowners won’t want to forget to factor in these additional fees when planning to install a chicken coop.
Prefabricated vs. Custom-Built Chicken Coop
With so many creative chicken coop styles to choose from, it can quickly become overwhelming to determine what type is best for a specific household. With custom-built coops, the sky’s the limit, and the cost can be in the thousands of dollars. On the other hand, prefab chicken coop kits are available to make the selection process more manageable. For a fee ranging from $200 to $7,700, the design and materials are all taken care of.
Repurposing an Existing Structure
Another way to build a chicken coop is by repurposing an existing structure. For example, a homeowner could start with an old shed and make some modifications, such as adding roosts, a chicken door, ventilation near the roof, mesh to the windows, insulation, a run, and nest boxes. Starting with an existing structure can end up saving the homeowner money as opposed to using a prefab kit or building everything from scratch.
Maintenance and Repair
Ongoing maintenance is critical to keeping the chickens healthy. Since they roost, sleep, drink water, fight, and eliminate waste in the coop, the area will need to be cleaned regularly. Many people put down an absorbent material on the floor to change out weekly, such as straw, sawdust, wood shavings, or sand. This helps keep the area tidy and minimizes odor. If it is difficult to access the inside for cleaning, a homeowner may consider using a tray to pull out easily to clean. Treating the coop for lice, mites, and other parasites is also important. Homeowners will want to be prepared to pay about $30 to $60 monthly or $360 to $720 annually for chicken coop maintenance. Some common monthly maintenance expenses include food ($15 to $30), bedding ($10 to $20), feeders ($5 to $10), and the chickens themselves ($3 to $100 per chicken, although most are between $5 and $30).
In addition, necessary repair issues may come up. These include damage from predators as they try to bite through the mesh or burrow through the floor, destroyed insulation from chickens pecking at it, and a weathered exterior that may need a fresh coat of paint or other updates. While these repairs can be done as DIY projects, it may be preferable for a homeowner to hire a handyperson to get the work done at a rate of about $60 per hour.
Winterization
Although chickens can tolerate temperatures below freezing, it is still critical to winterize the chicken coop so the animals stay comfortable and healthy. Homeowners will want to take steps such as adding heat lamps, installing a water heater, mounting shutters to windows to keep in the heat, and preventing the water from freezing. It is also necessary in cold climates to add insulation to the walls and roof and to protect the egg boxes from the chilly temperatures. Finally, spreading a thick layer of sand on the floor of the run can protect the chickens’ feet from getting frostbite. All these measures will add to the overall budget.
Temperature Control
For people living in areas with harsh winters, installing a temperature-control system in the coop can help protect the chickens (and their tasty eggs). With a price tag between $50 and $200, the temperature-control system automatically turns on the heater once the temperature in the coop drops too low based on the preset thermostat.
Egg Catchers
The best way for a homeowner to collect eggs and ensure that they are safe from predators is to invest in an egg catcher. Typically costing around $100, an egg catcher is a device that attaches to the nesting box to trap the eggs and gently roll them to the back of the box to simplify harvesting.
Backup or Quarantine Coop
Another additional expenditure to consider is investing in a backup or quarantine coop in case any of the chickens get sick. It is important to separate the chickens since some illnesses can be contagious. A simple chicken coop in an A-frame style works well for a quarantine coop and costs about $200. A backup coop is also useful when introducing new chickens to the group that may need some time to adjust.
Types of Chicken Coops
Various types of chicken coop styles exist at different price points. When deciding which type to build, homeowners will want to consider the cost, size, features, and benefits each one provides. The following are the most common types of chicken coops available (A-frame, all-in-one, tractor, and walk-in coops) and their average costs.
| Type of Chicken Coop | Average Cost |
| A-frame | $200 to $300 |
| All-in-one | $1,000 to $4,000 |
| Tractor | $300 to $500 |
| Walk-in | $300 to $1,000 |
A-Frame
An A-frame coop has a straightforward structure that looks like a triangle chicken coop with two sharply sloping boards down each side that meet at a peak in the roof. They are budget-friendly, costing between $200 and $300, and are meant to house up to four medium-size chickens. One side includes one or two nest boxes, and the run sealed with mesh is on the other side. Unfortunately, they are difficult to clean and provide little space for the chickens to roam.
All-in-One
This chicken coop with a run is designed to include a substantial walk-in space to house a large breed. All-in-one coops range in price from $1,000 to $4,000, with the average cost being $2,000. Prices vary depending on the size and features included. Even though the coop is spacious, it is still recommended to let the chickens roam freely as much as possible to keep them happy and healthy.
Want to build a chicken coop?
Consult a top-rated local pro. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from builders near you.