Chicken Coop Guides

Most chicken coop info online is either a Pinterest image with no instructions or a 200-word filler article slapped together for ad revenue. We started CoopCraft to fix that. Every guide here covers a single decision a real coop builder runs into — what size do I actually need, do I really need insulation in my climate, what materials hold up to weather, what's the cheapest way to predator-proof, do I need a permit in my city.

Where to start:

• New to chickens? Start with our size calculator to figure out how big your coop needs to be, then our permit guide to check if your city requires one before you build.
• Planning your build? Read the materials guide, our 2026 cost breakdown, and the step-by-step build guide.
• Worried about predators or weather? The predator-proofing guide, insulation guide, and winter guide are the three we get the most emails about.
• Want to skip to the plans? See our coop plans shop — printable PDFs in 4×4, 4×8, 8×8, A-frame, and bundle sizes.

Every guide is dated, has a "last updated" timestamp, and links to the related guides and plans you'll need next. If you spot anything wrong, email hello@buildingachickencoopplans.com — we read every message and update guides when readers catch mistakes.