How Much Does a Chicken Coop Cost to Build?

Average Poultry House Costs

Chicken Coop Costs by Type

Most chicken coops range from $300 to $2,000. Size is one of the most important factors in determining cost, but the type of chicken house you go with also plays an important role.

A-Frame

A-Frame chicken coops cost around $250, or between $200 and $300. These small coops are only really suitable for a small backyard flock, around four small to medium hens, or up to six bantam hens. Simple structures, A-frame coops don't give your birds any room to roam, so you should consider whether you're able to let the hens range in a secure part of your yard for at least some of the day. 

As the name suggests, A-frame coops have two sharply sloping boards, one down each side, that meet at the "peak" of the roof. One end consists of the coop and nest boxes, while the other is sealed with mesh as part of the chicken run. 

These are inexpensive, so they're a good choice if you're on a budget and have somewhere you can let your chickens free range during most of the day, only securing them in their coop at dusk.

Tractor

For chicken tractors, most people pay around $400, although you can pay anywhere from $300 to $500. Chicken tractors are temporary housing for one or two birds or for use as overnight shelter for free-ranging chickens. 

Chicken tractors are comparatively small and lightweight, designed to move around. They usually have two levels, with a living area and nest boxes upstairs, and a small mesh run beneath. They have a grab bar or wheelbarrow-like handles on one end and small wheels at the other so you can lift and move them wherever needed. 

Because chickens are a nuisance in the vegetable garden, many people don't let their chickens roam where they're growing food crops. But chickens are also allies in the garden, as they aerate the soil, remove weeds, and kill and eat pests. So, chicken keepers use a chicken tractor as a compromise. 

Walk-In

A walk-in chicken coop typically costs $650, but it may run between $300 and $1,000. Walk-in coops vary dramatically in size. The average walk-in is the size of a small shed and can accommodate 16 bantams, 12 small hens, or eight extra large egg-laying birds, like the Golden Comet hybrid. 

If you pay $1,000 or more, you can have a larger coop with room for a substantial flock of large chickens. Large walk-in coops give you plenty of space to provide bad weather entertainment for your girls, like chicken swings, cabbages on ropes, and other enrichment activities for those days when the chickens just can't be outdoors.

Remember though, that walk-in coops don't generally have runs attached, so you'll need to provide somewhere for your girls to roam safely, build a secure run yourself, or hire a local handyperson to build one for you. 

All-In-One

All-in-one chicken coops cost around $2,000, but you can pay anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 or more. These coops tend to be substantial and include a coop and a walk-in run. However, unless the attached run is huge, you'll need to let your birds roam and free-range as much as possible or, at the very least, limit the size of your flock to make sure they stay happy and healthy. 

The bigger you build the coop and run, the more chickens you can accommodate. A large all-in-one coop can house a large self-sustaining flock of meat and egg birds with no problems, as long as you meet their need to forage, explore, and roam whenever possible.

Chicken Coop Cost Factors

Alongside the type of coop you choose, the materials you use, the type of flooring you add, and any extra features, such as nest boxes and egg catchers, influence the total price you'll pay.

Material

Materials impact cost and coop quality. Remember, chickens love to peck, so it's smart to avoid anything they can chew up and harm them. Pressure-treated lumber, for instance, isn't good for walls and flooring; the chickens will ingest the chemicals if they peck at it. But it is a good budget-friendly option for roofing.

Flooring

Not everyone chooses to install a real floor in their chicken coop, but there are benefits to going to this extra expense and effort. Flooring your coop properly can help keep predators and insects out, keeping your chickens healthy and safe. Decent flooring also makes cleanup easier, adds a layer of insulation, and ensures comfort for your chicken's feet.

Temperature Control

Temperature controllers cost between $50 and $200, depending on the size and complexity of your coop setup. Temperature control systems have a heater attached so that when your coop temperature drops too low based on the thermostat that you set, the system knows to activate the coop heater to raise the temperature. It then switches off again once the coop reaches the desired level of warmth.                                                                                                                                       

Egg Catchers

Egg catchers cost around $100 each and make collecting eggs easy and help to stop predators stealing eggs. The device goes into the nestbox and gently rolls the egg to the back of the box to make collection super easy.

Backup or Quarantine Coop

Quarantine coops cost around $200 if you opt for a simple A-frame. These backup coops are essential in case one of your birds gets sick, if you introduce new hens to your flock, or you have a problem in the coops like mites that require you to remove your chickens to really get in there and clean.

Prefab Chicken Coop Prices

There are several chicken coop kits available, ranging from $200 to $7,700 or more. Materials, coop size, and overall design factor into the costs.

Labor Cost to Build a Chicken Coop

Labor costs for a chicken coop start at $100 and can run upwards of $2,000 or more. Hiring a handyperson costs around $100 to put together a prefab kit, whereas having a carpenter build one from scratch typically starts at $350.

In addition to handyperson or carpenter costs, you might encounter some other chicken house labor prices, including:

• Clearing land costs: $1,250–$4,460

• Land leveling prices: $400

• Tree removal prices: $200–$2,000

• Cost to remove a tree stump: $320 on average

Chicken Coop Maintenance Costs

You’ll likely pay about $30 to $60 per month or $360 to $720 per year in chicken house maintenance costs. Here are some of the monthly expenses you can expect:

• Food: $15–$30 (though some types of feed can cost up to $150)

• Bedding: $10–20

• Other: $5–$10 for things like feeders, waters and resealing wooden coops

These costs do not include the chickens themselves, which can cost anywhere from $3 to $100 but usually cost between $5 and $30. The more chickens you have, the more your monthly expenses.

DIY Build a Chicken Coop vs. Hire a Professional

Smaller DIY chicken house kits are relatively easy to assemble. However, handcrafted coops will typically last longer, despite costing more upfront. Cheaper kits or handmade projects made with softwood will likely need more frequent resealing and upkeep.

Regardless of the size or type of hen house you’re planning, talking to a carpenter or handyperson near you is a great first step. You can get a price estimate, as well as an idea of the project scale.

FAQs

How big should I build a chicken coop?

One chicken needs between three and four square feet of space in a coop. Many chicken owners recommend having at least three chickens, so you need a coop between nine and 12 square feet.

You can build a smaller coop if your chickens are mostly outside or the breed is smaller. Conversely, if they’ll be in the coop at all times, then each chicken will need 10 square feet at least. You want to make sure your chickens have enough space, otherwise they’ll peck at each other and become stressed if their coop is too small.

Do you have to have a chicken coop to keep chickens?

You don’t need a coop to keep chickens, but you will definitely still need a few forms of protection. Especially in places with extreme cold or heat, free-range chickens will still need a shelter for temperature management. You’ll also need to install tall fencing to keep predators at bay. And, if you want to easily find and collect eggs, you'll need to make your chickens comfortable nest boxes.

How much do chickens cost?

Chicks usually cost $5 but can range from $3 to $100 based on the breed. Hens that can lay eggs cost between $20 and $50, while roosters are only $10 on average. However, not all areas allow roosters, so check with your municipality before you bring a rooster home. Common egg-laying breeds like Golden Comets or Rhode Island Reds tend to be fairly inexpensive and give you lots of eggs per year. Fancier chickens, such as Silkies and Sultans, lay fewer eggs but are prized for their appearance and are often entered in chicken showing competitions.

Can I use a shed as a chicken coop?

Yes, with a few simple changes, you can definitely use a shed as a chicken coop. You need to make sure it’s predator-proof; foxes, snakes, opossums, and foxes all love to eat chickens or their eggs, so make sure your shed is really safe. It will also need a chicken door so your chickens can make their way into the lovely run you’ll also have to build them. And, of course, you'll need roosts and nest boxes.