Home and Family Author: Marc Buldger

Chickens, and their eggs, have been staples of the American diet for hundreds of years. Unfortunately, with rising prices on all groceries, affording high-quality chicken is becoming difficult for many families, causing backyard chicken coops to grow in popularity. There are several chicken coop designs from which to choose - from the very simple to very complex.

Once a family decides to raise chickens, the chicken coop should be the first project to tackle. There are many pre-made chicken coops available to buy, but many find them too expensive and therefore defeating the purpose of saving money by raising one's own chickens! For those who feel this way DIY chicken coop plans are a great choice.

Several factors should be considered before deciding on a design, like the number of chickens a family needs, the climate in which the family lives, and the size of the yard. Those with small yards need not worry about not being able to raise chickens for there are several designs that lend themselves to city and suburban yards.


Depending on one's ability with tools, the actual design of the coop can become a work of art.  Basic hen house designs are simple in concept and allow their architects a good bit of creativity when designing. Embellishments can be made in the shape of the coop, décor adorning it, and the color. Some coops even resemble homes with front doors, flower boxes and a mailbox. No matter how simple or complex the chicken coop is, one must remember that the chickens' comfort and safety are first priority. Allowing ventilation, fresh earth for the chickens to peck and scratch, a safe place to sleep and lay, and plenty of chicken wire for walls and roofs need to be included in all designs.

Anyone with a little extra time and a few tools can learn to build a chicken coop. The internet, as well as the local library, is full of designs for all types and sizes of coops.  Though most consider chicken raising to be something reserved for farmers or those living on a few acres, the backyard chicken coop is becoming more and more prevalent, and with it the abundance of small chicken coop plans. Many DIY chicken coop plans are available online. One interested in raising chickens for eggs or meat should take advantage of the knowledge available and give it a try.  Knowing eggs came from one's backyard makes the decision to build a chicken coop well worth it.

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