How to Build a Chicken Coop | Build It | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva creates a backyard chicken coop for a homeowner in Connecticut in Build It (See below for steps.)

Steps for How to Build a Chicken Coop:
1. Stain the sheets of T1-11 and allow to dry.
2. Place two sheets of T1-11 on top of each other and ensure they are even on all sides. Use a track saw to cut the roofline of the plywood at a 45-degree angle on both sheets at once.
3. Remove one sheet and then, using a jigsaw, cut a small square opening for the sliding coop door into a plywood sheet. For all the doors, the cutouts will later be reattached as the door.
4. On the next sheet, cut an opening for the small entrance door, using the jigsaw.
5. Cut a third sheet of T1-11 to form the side walls. On one of them, cut a large opening for the egg door, using a jigsaw. The other side wall will remain uncut.
6. Cut two of the 4x4 posts to the desired length, then match the angle of the roof using a miter saw for both steps.
7. Use a driver to drive in 1 5/8-inch ceramic screws to attach the posts to the plywood sheeting.
8. Use a piece of 2x4 at the bottom and the top of the coop to give it additional support. Attach these using ceramic screws, and fasten them using a driver.
9. Construct the opposite gable end, repeating the same steps.
10. Connect the two gable ends using 2x4s, and attach one of the side walls.
11. To form the rafters, screw in a 2x4 ridge beam and 2x4 purlins (parallel roof framing), using a driver and 3-inch ceramic screws.
12. Finish the framing by attaching additional 2x4s to the base of the front and back gable walls, using 3-inch ceramic screws.
13. Then, attach two more perpendicular 2x4 joists to form the floor support for the coop with 3-inch ceramic screws
14. To form the floor, use the _-inch exterior plywood and cut out the corners to match the posts using a jigsaw.
15. Fasten the plywood floor by driving 1 5/8-inch screws into the floor joists.
16. Attach the cutout door pieces to the plywood exterior sheets of the structure using hardware of your choice. Do this by driving provided screws into the hardware.
17. Attach the chicken door by threading a rope through a pulley at the top of the door. Then attach the rope to an eyelet on the chicken door. The other end of the rope should be linked to a hook at the opposite end. A track for the door can be made using scrap wood.
18. Attach the final side wall using 1 5/8-inch ceramic screws.
19. Build a nesting box to your desired dimensions using plywood and 2x4s.
20. Cut cellular PVC trim boards to match the angles of the coop, using a miter saw.
21. Attach the PVC trim boards to the exterior of the coop using a hammer and stainless-steel trim nails.
22. Attach _-inch plywood roof sheathing to the roof structure using a driver and 1 5/8-inch ceramic screws.
23. Lay down a layer of felt paper, and staple in place.
24. Using a hammer and roofing nails, attach the asphalt shingles with a 5-inch reveal to the roof sheathing.
25. Attach 4x4 posts of the coop to a beveled base using a driver and ceramic screws.
26. Attach the beveled base to a 2x12 square using a driver and ceramic screws to keep the coop from sinking into the ground.
27. Create a pen area using pressure-treated 2x4s to desired design. Connect the pen structure using driver and ceramic screws. Include an access door for cleaning the pen.
28. Cover the pen with chicken wire by hammering in construction staples.
29. Dig a trench in the outline of the pen at least 3 inches deep, and place the structure in the trench. This is meant to keep predators from crawling in underneath.
30. Attach the pen structure to the coop structure by driving in screws.
31. Place a piece of 2x12 from the coop door to the pen to serve as a ramp for the chickens.

Build It:
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor, and special guests including Jimmy DiResta, take you through step-by-step DIY projects in this popular video series. From end-tables to cutting boards to wine racks to chicken coops and more, learn how to build from the best pros in the game. Segments include mention of all tools and materials needed to get the job done.

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How to Build a Chicken Coop | Build It | Ask This Old House

[brandon]

Just built this exact coop from the video. Very helpful and if you’re a little handy it’s easy. For anyone wondering it cost me roughly $275. I built just the coop part though I already had the cage part

[vinnyrea]

Ha, ha😁 chuckled when Tommy made that comment at the end when the roof was being slid into place. Nice job guys👍

[timboslice]

I wish my late Grandfather would have seen this, wow, would he be impressed. He had chicken coops all during his childhood and some later in his life. He spoke of them often! Great job guys!

[scottslotterbeck]

Great design. Love to see Kevin doing a great job helping out.

[jessiehughes]

Why do chicken coops have 2 doors? Cause if they had 4 doors they'd be a chicken sedan.🤣😂

[robusttech]

coopodoit helped me a lot building my coop.

[abrahamm]

I used a 10x10x6’ high dog kennel with a chicken wire roof worked perfect so simple also added a sheet of plywwod for rain protection just used pipes across top for support

[jeanettecook]

Too often these days, in project like this, the master worker starts right in without even giving a drawing or plan of the project. He's done it many times before, I'm sure. However, it helps so much to visualize the usage of pieces if we have an initial graphic idea of the whole thing.

I love watching experts work, though, this was educational.

[grammydayao]

I love this coop , it looks easy the way it was made, and the chickens have plenty of resting boxes when cold and tired , I certainly wouldn't have it any other way , thank you for sharing ❤

[luckyfarms]

Tell me you never had chickens, without telling me you never had chickens. I seriously love This Old House. This is a quality built coop. Just not the best for chickens. If you are watching this video please take the following into consideration. Chicken wire is nothing to ground based predators. Coons and or possums will sinmply rip their way through it and kill your birds. Ventilation is key. Chickens run about 105 body temp. They lose water through breathing. If cooped up without ventilation the air becomes heavy with moisture which can cause them to get way to cold. Finally, and the chicken people will know, you only need one or two nesting boxes. Give them 10 and they will fight over one.
I know it's 8 years later, just a nice gentle warning to anyone considering this exact build. It's cool, just add heavy duty hardware cloth to the run, put in some vents and only do like 2 nesting boxes.

[bighammer]

Nicely done boys, I have only one recommendation to anyone doing it this way. Raise the chicken door so that it’s 5-6” above the floor line. The deep bedding inside won’t be constantly sluffing out of the opening. 😎

[olivergardner]

A nice build. My grandfather made one similar, but he dug down 3 foot and made layers of broken glass and soil then the first foot of wire frame. You can let the chooks out during the day so they can run around but make sure to lock them up at night.

[katieshields]

When I grow up I want to be a carpenter just like Tommy!

[rebeccaantram]

Great little set up, wish there were windows, so the Coup could air out.

[waltonwayaugusta]

THAT SAW IS COOL SOMTHIN ELSE TO LOOK OUT FOR  GREAT TOM

[dianepicard]

Love the coop just perfect for a small yard.

[PatrolOfficer]

After all these years Tommy can still show me something new as a time saver.

[dyana]

Not enough video for a beginner to build this coop. But a great idea. Thanks.

[rverman]

Would have been nice if there had been more video of the finished coop.

[seahawkfan]

Thanks for making it how you were doing and for having a list of materials in the info area 😉😊