Having chickens can be a great way to get access to fresh eggs in the home. It’s good for the environment and some people even rescue hens that stop producing as regularly from the poultry industry. Lots of people love having chickens running around in the garden but they need a coop too. We’ve reviewed the best chicken coop options in this post.
We’ve looked at 40 top options and reviewed 8 of the best in this guide, deciding upon the very best products for use in your own home and you can check out why we have recommended them. There are lots of different features we’ve looked at. The Best Choice Products Chicken Coop has been named as our best option overall. It’s big enough for multiple chickens, and has a clever removable platform that can be washed with ease. In spite of being made of wood, it is treated and very good for coping with a lot of different weather conditions.
More features: 2 nesting spots, raised housing area, sliding door and ramp, 2 doors include a metal locking system and open/close nesting box, comes with a removable bottom sliding tray and metal wire fencing
Best Choice Products Chicken Coop is a fantastic option for the home and it has some brilliant features as well as solid build quality.
As well as having a fantastic raised housing area that hens tend to love, it also comes with plenty of space on the bottom level for up to 4 chickens to enjoy.
The raised housing area is a particular bonus, and it also protects your chickens. The fir wood used to make this means that it is waterproof so there is no risk of not giving your chickens the weather protection they need.
Among the other features, this may be the best chicken coop design for easy cleaning. The removable tray pops out and lets you clean with ease before replacing.
If you are looking for a simple but sturdy system that allows up to 4 chickens, this could be a great option with 2 levels and therefore plenty of space.
More features: 2 nesting spots, 1-year warranty, 3 removable floor panels
If you are looking for affordable chicken coops then the Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop could be a good option. It has a very cool design and can fit 3-4 chickens within.
One of the downsides is the fact that it only has 1 level, whereas some other coops have 2 and chickens do tend to prefer this.
It has 6.2 sq ft of space. We would say that 3 chickens rather than 4 would be the best option due to one level.
This is a good option if you want to let your chickens roam free too, as the ramp and entrance lets them come and go as they please.
Though it has removable floor panels for cleaning, the top isn’t removable so it can be a little tough to get a totally thorough clean.
This is one of the best prefab chicken coop options for affordability. If you are trying not to spend a fortune on the coop then this could be a good choice, especially for just 2 or 3 chickens.
More features: high-quality waterproof asphalt roof, eco-friendly paint
The Lovupet Chicken Coop has a really clever design and a lot of space. 11 square feet is plenty for two or three adult chickens. This is another coop that is set over 2 levels, which hens tend to love. The simple ramp makes it easy for them to get up and down. However, there’s also a steel slide pole that allows for control of the door, so you can shut the chickens away if you want.
Like a lot of the products on this list, it is made out of fir wood which has been coated for weatherproof protection.
The waterproof asphalt roof is very good quality and the steep slope makes it easier for the rain to drain away and stay away from your hens.
The tray at the bottom of the nesting area is removable to make it far easier to clean.
This is advertised for two or three adult chickens or a bunch of baby chicks, and certainly has plenty of space for your birds.
More features: nesting box, roosting bar, 10-year limited mfr warranty
The ECOFLEX Fontana chicken barn is the perfect choice for those looking for an eco-friendly and durable option. The barn is made from a proprietary formula that incorporates recycled wood and plastic, making it an excellent value that will outlast most other products. Additionally, the barn is 100% non-toxic and does not absorb moisture, ensuring that your chickens will be safe and healthy.
It is suitable for 2-4 chickens making it the perfect addition to your backyard flock. The roof is removable for easy egg collecting, and the barn can be attached to an ECOFLEX pen (sold separately) to expand the space.
The easy assembly and removable roof make this barn a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality chicken coop. It is also backed by a 10-year limited warranty, making it a risk-free choice.
More features: nesting box with hinge top, UV Proof Run Panel, suitable for rabbits, big front door & pen door, easy combine together
The Aivituvin Wooden Chicken Coop is another good option and has a capacity of up to 5 chickens. The design definitely looks good and is one of the biggest options on the list with 15 square feet for chickens to explore. It also has a chicken nesting box which has a hinge on the top so you can remove eggs quickly and easily, too.
The UV Proof Run Panel offers protection from the sun, and this coop is also pretty good at coping with rainy conditions.
The coop is also suitable for rabbits and other small animals. The big front door and pen door make it easy to keep chickens separated, too.
It’s certainly designed with chickens in mind. The hen house even has a perch for your chickens to sit and roost.
It’s a little bit tricky to put together compared to some of the other options on the list. The pull out tray is great quality and fantastic for people who are looking to keep their chicken coop as clean as possible, as easily as possible.
More features: roof with polycarbonate panels, built-in slide-out tray
The PawHut Indoor Outdoor Chicken Coop is advertised as an indoor and outdoor model. We recommend using it outdoors to keep things clean but it can also be a good option for outbuildings.
It has a smaller capacity than some of the other chicken coops on the list, and is only really suitable for 2-3 chickens. However, it is solid, made with fir and given a coating for both UV protection and waterproof design. The sloped design lets the water drip off.
One downside is the fact that it is harder to get to the eggs in the nesting area. There isn’t a simple hinged area to get in and grab the eggs.
The white design looks great, and it has 2 levels, which chickens love.
If you are new to keeping chickens and looking to get a simple and easy model for your first pets then this coop could be a good choice. It keeps the predators away.
More features: 3 nesting boxes, 1 ventilation window, 2 access doors
The Omitree Deluxe Chicken Coop has a lovely look, which you can see sitting outside a farmhouse. It looks handmade and has a lot to offer, though it is only over 1 level. However, it is raised, and lends itself to being at the center of a pen or area for your chicken coop.
Like most of the best chicken coops it is made out of fir wood. It has a capacity of four chickens with 12 square feet to explore. There are two access doors, and the nesting box simply and easily opens up and allows people to grab the eggs as needed.
This can also be a good option for small breeds of chickens, and can fit 8 Bantam Chickens within. The main criticism is that it doesn’t have a second level, which would be a bonus for this type of coop.
The holes to put it together are all pre-drilled. In order to prepare this model of chicken coop, all you need to do is use a screwdriver and attach as per the instructions, which are very detailed.
More features: easy access ramp, removable tray, and wire enclosure
Another alternative in our top picks constructed using water/rain-resistant fir wood is the ECOLINEAR Outdoor Chicken Coop option. Furthermore, it’s finished using an eco-friendly waterproof varnish to give your chickens extra protection from the rain. This is in addition to a sloping asphalt roof on the raised portion of the structure.
Other important inclusions in the roofed section are windows for air circulation and a door for refilling chicken feed and water when necessary.
It can house two to four chickens, depending on breed and size. The chickens also get an easy access ramp that will take them up to the roofed enclosure or down to the wire enclosure where they can get some sun while they’re still protected from the sun.
Even cleaning doesn’t seem to be a hassle. You just wait until all the chickens are out of the roofed enclosure and remove the sliding bottom tray. Once it’s clean and dry, you slide it back in.
Another component of the coop is the nesting box, where your chickens will lay their eggs. Since it’s so easy to access, getting to your eggs won’t be a problem. That said, its maximum capacity is two chickens at a time.
Honestly, a purchase like this is quite rare for most people. A lot of people don’t have any experience with buying chicken coops. This means it is worth considering the features and finding the best prefab chicken coop for your own needs.
The models on our list all have a lot to offer. They are very high in quality in their own ways, but some are better suited to specific situations than others. For instance, it is important to find a model that is suitable for the number of chickens you own (or are buying).
We’ve rated these chicken coops based on certain criteria and features. What should you be considering when you are looking to buy the best chicken coop? How can you ensure you get the right model to give protection and comfort to your chickens? Don’t make a choice without reading some reviews thoroughly and checking you have found a model suited to you.
This buying guide will help you to find the ideal solution.
What features have we considered when creating our best chicken coop reviews? What do you need to think about before you make your purchase? As mentioned, we don’t have a lot of reference when buying something like this. A lot of people have not bought one before, so our team have done the research and collected the important features.
This is a vital part of the decision you are likely to make on which chicken coop to buy. There are all kinds of different frames, but commonly for a sensibly priced chicken coop, you will either be looking to get fir wood or reinforced plastic.
Some people don’t like the plastic design, but it is good for staying sturdy and not causing issues with predators, for instance, The Snap Lock Formex Standard Chicken Coop is an example of a plastic model that doesn’t need a huge amount of construction either. It is as simple as just clicking everything into place.
Fir wood models often come with an extra coating that can give both UV protection for your chickens in their run, and can also stop the wood from being adversely impacted by the rain. Wood products that go outdoors and aren’t treated don’t tend to last long.
How many chickens is it suitable to put into your coop? Coops on the list are all slightly different in terms of size, but it is important that you consider the advice on how many chickens should be included. Some of the coops are different if you have bantam chickens or other smaller types.
Generally, 4-6 is about the level most of the options contain, but we have listed this specifically on the list. Also, it is vital that you don’t overcrowd the chickens, so we always advise being cautious. If a coop says it can handle 3-4 chickens, try it with three. The best chicken breeds for backyard coops are often the smaller breeds.
The number of nesting spots is also crucial to this as chickens will like to have their own space if possible.
A lot of the best chicken coop options do have multiple levels. Chickens prefer to get up high if they can and it makes them feel safer and more relaxed. It is a way that they can feel better about predators.
It often makes sense for the manufacturers to provide two levels, as it maximizes the space. Our editor’s choice, the Best Choice Products Chicken Coop, has a second tier and allows the chickens to run around in the area underneath the actual nesting space.
The square footage or size of the chicken coop is closely tied to the capacity. This is calculated based on the floor space, but can be the floor space of both levels if it is a bigger, multi-tiered coop.
If you have big chickens, think about the fact that they just might need that extra bit of space in order to be comfortable. The square footage is vital.
Nesting spots are designed to be the area in your coop that the chickens feel comfortable laying their eggs.
A nesting spot may be a small area that is easy to insulate. It is a good place to provide extra bedding and make your chickens feel like they can nest there in order to lay their eggs.
Often, there are nesting spots built into a chicken coop. Additionally, they may have easy access. The Merax Chicken Coop has two nesting spots that are really simple and easy to reach. The nesting spots, from the outside, may look like an extra area jutting out from the side of the coop.
This is a feature that some of the coops have and others do not, but the vast majority have some way for a chicken to get up high and roost. Perches or roosts that allow chickens to get up high. Some roosts are simply classed as the area where chickens can get up high within the design of the coop. They are elevated from the floor as part of the design.
Being able to get up high can keep chickens safe from disease and other issues. It’s vital that you provide a space like this. In some places in the world it is even illegal not to. The Aivituvin Wooden Chicken Coop is a great example of a coop that includes a perch. Hens can get up nice and high if they wish to.
Another way to stop the spread of disease and to give your chickens a comfortable and humane place to live is to give plenty of ventilation. When you see cute little windows on the coop, remember that they are not just for design because they look good. These help chickens to stay properly ventilated and get fresh air that they need, just like any other animal would.
Many of the best coops even have two access areas meaning the chickens can choose where to enter and exit. This stops chickens from blocking each other’s access to the coop.
In raised chicken coops, it is normally the case that there is a ramp up to the entrance so chickens can come and go as they please.
As we always try to, we’ve provided a list of chicken coops that are all at different price points. This means that someone looking to make a choice based on what is the best value can find a model that gives them a lot for their money. The ECOLINEAR Outdoor Chicken Coop is the budget pick on our list. It offers an incredible amount for the money and though it isn’t quite as weatherproof as the very best options, it’s good for beginners.
The more you spend, the more likely it is that you will find a large and high-quality chicken coop. We’ve focused mainly on small home coops that will be big enough for a small flock of chickens. 4-6, for instance. For this, a budget of $300-400 is usually plenty. You can buy some of the best coops at this price and know you have a safe and weatherproof spot for your chickens.
There are some options below $200, as included in our list, and these can be just as good for long-term use, if you find one that has all the features you need. Beginners may not need to spend a lot to get a coop that can enhance the life of their chickens.
This is a vital consideration, and may be more of an issue in some places than others. If you are likely to get foxes or other predators, it’s important that you think about the coop design. Does it keep predators out? Is it secure enough to stop them biting their way through and getting to the chickens?
Wherever you live, think about whether predators could potentially get to your chickens, and take precautions to stop this from happening.
A lot of the extra features that are included with coops come in the form of coatings and protection from the conditions. For instance, a lot have UV coating, this means that chickens don’t have to deal with the sun’s rays and heat as much as they would otherwise. Chickens don’t always cope well in hot conditions and they need a lot of protection.
Similarly, coatings to keep the coop weatherproof and safe from water are always welcome.
Where should the chicken coop go? What are the most important considerations when choosing where the coop needs to be placed?
There should be plenty of grass in the area for the chickens. As the grass deteriorates you may even need to move your coop to ensure they have fresher grass.
On top of this, make sure the ground is sturdy and even, so that the coop isn’t compromised or likely to tip if a predator does come near it or try to get in.
Partial shade and partial sunlight are the best policies. Make sure your chickens can choose between the sun and the shade if they can, so they don’t end up having to get too hot or too cold.
The square ft measurement of a chicken coop can be done by multiplying the two sides, if it is a rectangle or a square. If it is over two levels, calculate the square ft of both of the levels and then add these together to work out the total space that the chickens have.
Our editor’s choice is the Best Choice Products Chicken Coop which comes with a rating of 9.8. It has multiple levels, loads of floor space and a good environment for your chickens. It can cope with four chickens. The Best Choice Products Chicken Coop is also really easy to wash and keep clean.
We’ve named the Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop the best value. It offers a lot considering the price. It’s probably only suited to 3 chickens, or more if they are small breeds, but this is another model with easy access which is simple to clean. We’ve rated it 9.7/10 on our list of the best chicken coop options.
As for the LOVUPET Chicken Coop, it has an asphalt roof, which is very good quality, and the steep slope makes it easier for the rain to drain away and stay away from your hens, making it one of the best chicken coops.
