1
Posts
Four 4x4 posts cut to 94-3/4" carry the structure from grade to the top plate.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post A | 4 | 94-3/4" | 4x4 |
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6x8 Pallet Chicken Coop Plans for 7-10 Hens (Free PDF)
6x8 Pallet-Clad Coop — Framed in Real Lumber, Clad in Free Board: 37 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of screened run for 7-10 hens. Dimensioned drawings, a complete material list, and every cut length across 20 assembly steps. Intermediate build, five to seven days (38-50 hrs), plus about 10 hrs stripping pallets.
Every dimension, spec table and cut list below is free on this page.
Isometric Overview
The cover sheet from the plan book — the accurate geometry behind the image above. Every dimension, spec and cut length on this page is computed from this same model, so the drawing and the tables cannot disagree.
Specifications
| Coop footprint | 6 ft × 8 ft — 37 sq ft of bird floor |
|---|---|
| Run | 6 ft × 10 ft (60 sq ft), screened |
| Overall length | 216" coop + run |
| Peak height | 119-5/16" (18" roof rise) |
| Interior wall height | 72" |
| Floor height | 12" off grade — screened bay underneath |
| Capacity | 7-10 hens |
| Nest boxes | 3 in a 45" bank |
| Roost bar | 100" minimum (10" per bird) |
| Ventilation | 3.3 sq ft across 3 windows |
| Floor framing | 7 joists at 16" OC, 66" clear span |
| Build time | Five to seven days (38-50 hrs), plus about 10 hrs stripping pallets |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Materials cost | $2,850–$3,800 at 2026 prices |
What's Inside the Plans
Sample sheets from the complete 49-page plan book — dimensioned drawings, cut tables and build references drawn at print quality. The previews below are watermarked; the book is not. Everything published on this page stays free.
Material List
The complete bill of materials. Quantities carry no waste allowance — add two or three extra boards if you are new to framing.
| Material | Size | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1x2 lumber | 8 feet | 2 pcs |
| 1x4 — the vertical furring nailbase (step 8a) | 10 feet | 17 pcs |
| 1x4 — the vertical furring nailbase (step 8a) | 8 feet | 9 pcs |
| 2x2 lumber | 8 feet | 2 pcs |
| 2x4 — framing, corners and casings (step 8c) | 12 feet | 4 pcs |
| 2x4 — framing, corners and casings (step 8c) | 10 feet | 6 pcs |
| 2x4 — framing, corners and casings (step 8c) | 8 feet | 74 pcs |
| 2x6 lumber | 10 feet | 4 pcs |
| 2x6 lumber | 8 feet | 14 pcs |
| 4x4 post (ground contact) | 10 feet | 4 pcs |
| 4x4 post (ground contact) | 8 feet | 4 pcs |
| 3/4" plywood | 4' x 8' | 8 pcs |
| 1/2" plywood (partition + header spacers) | 4' x 8' | 1 pcs |
| Corrugated metal roofing | 26" x 8 ft | 5 panels |
| RECLAIMED PALLET BOARD — see the sourcing pages | deck boards 32-3/4"+ long, any pallet size | ~30 (408 sq ft of board to harvest; about 10 hrs to strip) |
| Housewrap (NOT optional here — see step 8a) | 3 ft x 100 ft | 1 roll |
| Housewrap tape | 2" x 165 ft | 1 roll |
| 2-1/2" ring-shank siding nail, hot-dip or stainless | 5 lb box | 2 boxes (2-1/2" EXACTLY — see step 8a, a 3in nail comes out the back of the stud) |
| 2-1/2" exterior screw for the furring | 1 lb box | 2 boxes |
| Penetrating semi-transparent stain or exterior wood oil | 1 gal | 4 (all six faces, before hanging) |
| Exterior sealant for the butt joints | 10 oz tube | 3 tubes |
| Recip-saw blades, metal-cutting, for the nails | 6in 18 TPI | 3 pcs |
| Cut-resistant gloves + safety glasses (dismantling) | — | 1 set |
| Tetanus shot in date | — | yes, actually |
| Roof screws, neoprene washer | 1-1/2" | 200 pcs |
| Drip edge / eave closure strip | 10 ft | 4 pcs |
| 1/4" hardware cloth, 19 ga | 36" roll | 100 ft + 25 ft + 25 ft (129 ft needed) |
| Fender washers + screws for cloth | 1" washer | 516 pcs |
| Heavy-duty staples | 1/2" | 1 box (1000) |
| Coop windows | 18" x 23" | 3 |
| Pier blocks | solid concrete deck block | 10 pcs |
| Gravel, compacted under each block | 3/4" clean | 9 cu ft |
| Coarse sand or 3/8in drain rock (run floor) | 3-4in deep | 1 cu yd |
| 2-1/2" exterior screws | 5 lb box | 4 boxes |
| 1-1/2" exterior screws | 5 lb box | 2 boxes |
| 4" structural screws | — | 24 pcs |
| 3/8" x 4" lag bolts (run to coop) | — | 8 pcs |
| Exterior caulk | 10 oz tube | 3 tubes |
| Hinges | — | 10 (4 openable parts, buy in pairs) |
| Two-action latches | — | 5 |
Nominal vs actual: the list uses nominal sizes (2×4), the drawings use finished sizes (1-1/2" × 3-1/2"). Check your own stock before cutting.
Floor Framing
7 joists at 16" on centre running the short direction, rim doubled on all four sides, 66" clear span — comfortably inside the published span tables, so no intermediate support is needed. True 16" spacing means plywood seams land on framing.
The 20 Assembly Steps
Every step, with the cut list it needs. The summaries here are the short version — the complete 49-page book carries the full written instruction for each one, plus the stop-and-measure checkpoints.
Every cut length below is computed from the same geometry that draws the PDF, so the numbers on this page and the numbers in the plan set cannot disagree.
2
Base supports
The base ring ties the four posts into a rigid square at grade. Use the 4-inch screws here — this joint carries the racking load for the life of the coop.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base support A (front/back) | 2 | 65" | 4x4 | |
| Base support B (sides) | 2 | 89" | 4x4 | |
| Base blocking | 8 | 20-1/2" | 2x4 |
3
Floor joists
Joists sit 12" above grade on 16" centres, running the short direction across 66" in 2x6, with the rim doubled on all four sides.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rim joist (long sides) | 4 | 96" | 2x6 | doubled |
| Floor joist | 7 | 66" | 2x6 | 16" OC, last bay short |
4
Floor deck
Deck the floor in 3/4" plywood, notched 3-1/2" square at each corner so it drops cleanly around the posts.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor panel | 1 | 72" x 96" | 3/4" plywood | notch corners |
5
Wall framing — the method
Every wall is framed FLAT ON THE DECK and then stood up. That is the whole trick: you are working on a level surface, gravity holds the parts where you put them, and you can push the frame square before a single screw goes in.
5a
Front wall (low eave)
The low side. It carries the door and most of the glazing.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Bottom plate | 1 | 89" | 2x4 | sits flat on the deck — cut out at the doors AFTER standing |
| B Top plate | 1 | 89" | 2x4 | first plate over the studs |
| C Cap plate (upper top plate) | 1 | 86" | 2x4 | laps the corner — long walls SHORT both ends, end walls LONG both ends |
| D King stud (full height, beside the opening) | 6 | 72" | 2x4 | full height, outside the jack |
| E Jack stud (carries the header) | 2 | 68-1/2" | 2x4 | carries the header, sits ON the bottom plate |
| F Jack stud (carries the header) | 4 | 51-1/2" | 2x4 | carries the header, sits ON the bottom plate |
| G Header | 2 | 35" | 2x4 | two pieces + a 1/2in plywood spacer = 3-1/2in thick, flush both faces |
| H Header | 4 | 21" | 2x4 | two pieces + a 1/2in plywood spacer = 3-1/2in thick, flush both faces |
| I Rough sill | 2 | 21" | 2x4 | rough sill under the window |
| J Cripple under the sill | 6 | 27" | 2x4 | between bottom plate and rough sill |
| K Cripple over the header | 6 | 17" | 2x4 | between header and top plate |
5b
Back wall (high eave)
The HIGH side — its studs are longer than the front wall's by the full rise of the roof.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Bottom plate | 1 | 89" | 2x4 | sits flat on the deck — cut out at the doors AFTER standing |
| B Top plate | 1 | 89" | 2x4 | first plate over the studs |
| C Cap plate (upper top plate) | 1 | 86" | 2x4 | laps the corner — long walls SHORT both ends, end walls LONG both ends |
| D Common stud | 4 | 88-1/4" | 2x4 | 16in OC, crown out |
| E King stud (full height, beside the opening) | 2 | 88-1/4" | 2x4 | full height, outside the jack |
| F Jack stud (carries the header) | 2 | 27-1/2" | 2x4 | carries the header, sits ON the bottom plate |
| G Header | 2 | 48" | 2x6 | two pieces + a 1/2in plywood spacer = 3-1/2in thick, flush both faces |
| H Rough sill | 1 | 48" | 2x4 | rough sill under the window |
| I Cripple under the sill | 4 | 13" | 2x4 | between bottom plate and rough sill |
| J Cripple over the header | 4 | 55-1/4" | 2x4 | between header and top plate |
5c
Left end wall (run end)
The run attaches to this wall and the pop door passes through it. Seen from outside, the roof runs DOWNHILL left to right.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Bottom plate | 1 | 65" | 2x4 | sits flat on the deck — cut out at the doors AFTER standing |
| B Top plate | 1 | 65" | 2x4 | first plate over the studs |
| C Cap plate (upper top plate) | 1 | 68" | 2x4 | laps the corner — long walls SHORT both ends, end walls LONG both ends |
| D Common stud | 4 | 72" | 2x4 | 16in OC, crown out |
| E King stud (full height, beside the opening) | 2 | 72" | 2x4 | full height, outside the jack |
| F Jack stud (carries the header) | 2 | 16-1/2" | 2x4 | carries the header, sits ON the bottom plate |
| G Header | 2 | 15" | 2x4 | two pieces + a 1/2in plywood spacer = 3-1/2in thick, flush both faces |
| H Rough sill | 1 | 15" | 2x4 | rough sill under the window |
| I Cripple over the header | 2 | 52" | 2x4 | between header and top plate |
| J Rake plate (sloped) | 1 | 67" | 2x4 | top bevel 14 deg (3:12) |
| K Rake stud (sloped top wall) | 1 | 16-1/16" | 2x4 | top bevel 14 deg (3:12) |
| L Rake stud (sloped top wall) | 1 | 12-1/16" | 2x4 | top bevel 14 deg (3:12) |
| M Rake stud (sloped top wall) | 1 | 8-1/16" | 2x4 | top bevel 14 deg (3:12) |
| N Rake stud (sloped top wall) | 1 | 4-1/16" | 2x4 | top bevel 14 deg (3:12) |
5d
Right end wall
Fixed wall with a window. This wall MIRRORS the left end: seen from outside, the roof runs UPHILL left to right.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Bottom plate | 1 | 65" | 2x4 | sits flat on the deck — cut out at the doors AFTER standing |
| B Top plate | 1 | 65" | 2x4 | first plate over the studs |
| C Cap plate (upper top plate) | 1 | 68" | 2x4 | laps the corner — long walls SHORT both ends, end walls LONG both ends |
| D Common stud | 4 | 72" | 2x4 | 16in OC, crown out |
| E King stud (full height, beside the opening) | 2 | 72" | 2x4 | full height, outside the jack |
| F Jack stud (carries the header) | 2 | 51-1/2" | 2x4 | carries the header, sits ON the bottom plate |
| G Header | 2 | 21" | 2x4 | two pieces + a 1/2in plywood spacer = 3-1/2in thick, flush both faces |
| H Rough sill | 1 | 21" | 2x4 | rough sill under the window |
| I Cripple under the sill | 3 | 27" | 2x4 | between bottom plate and rough sill |
| J Cripple over the header | 3 | 17" | 2x4 | between header and top plate |
| K Rake plate (sloped) | 1 | 67" | 2x4 | top bevel 14 deg (3:12) |
| L Rake stud (sloped top wall) | 1 | 16-1/16" | 2x4 | top bevel 14 deg (3:12) |
| M Rake stud (sloped top wall) | 1 | 12-3/16" | 2x4 | top bevel 14 deg (3:12) |
| N Rake stud (sloped top wall) | 1 | 8-3/16" | 2x4 | top bevel 14 deg (3:12) |
| O Rake stud (sloped top wall) | 1 | 4-3/16" | 2x4 | top bevel 14 deg (3:12) |
6
Shed rafters
A single-slope shed roof at 3:12 — 18" of fall across the 72" width, which is the minimum pitch exposed-fastener corrugated metal will shed reliably.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shed rafter | 5 | 83-3/16" | 2x6 | birdsmouth both ends, 9" tail |
| Rafter blocking | 8 | 22-1/2" | 2x6 | between rafters — a row at the LOW wall and a row at the HIGH wall |
7
Roof deck and metal
3/4" plywood over the rafters, then corrugated metal sheets. Metal over shingles because it sheds snow, lasts decades and never needs a tear-off.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roof deck panel | 3 | 4' x 8' sheet | 3/4" plywood | lay the 8-ft dimension UP the slope; seams land on a rafter |
| Metal roof panel | 5 | 8 ft x 26" | corrugated steel | 26in wide, 24in coverage; one piece eave to ridge, no lap partway up |
8a
Housewrap and furring — the nailbase and the rainscreen
This step is the reason a reclaimed board is allowed on this building at all.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furring strip — front wall (low eave) | 7 | 84-1/4" | 1x4 | laid FLAT and VERTICAL, one over every stud, 16" OC. Trim to the rake on site. |
| Furring strip — back wall (high eave) | 7 | 95" | 1x4 | laid FLAT and VERTICAL, one over every stud, 16" OC. Trim to the rake on site. |
| Furring strip — left end wall (run end) | 5 | 100-1/2" | 1x4 | laid FLAT and VERTICAL, one over every stud, 16" OC. Trim to the rake on site. |
| Furring strip — right end wall | 5 | 100-1/2" | 1x4 | laid FLAT and VERTICAL, one over every stud, 16" OC. Trim to the rake on site. |
8b
The cladding — courses, laps, and where the joints land
284 sq ft of board face over 196 sq ft of wall. That is the whole cladding order, and it is an AREA on purpose.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pallet cladding — COVERAGE, not a count | 0 | 284 sq ft | reclaimed pallet board | 284 sq ft of board FACE. Longest piece 32-3/4"; nothing shorter than 8". |
8c
Corner boards, trim, and the finish that keeps it alive
Corner boards go on FIRST and the cladding butts into them — one 2x4 laid FLAT on each face at every corner, covering the 3-1/2" face of the post behind it.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corner board — front wall (low eave) leg | 2 | 84-1/4" | 2x4 | laid FLAT, 3-1/2" face out, covers the 4x4 post |
| Corner board — back wall (high eave) leg | 2 | 95" | 2x4 | laid FLAT, 3-1/2" face out, covers the 4x4 post |
| Corner board — left end wall (run end) leg | 2 | 100-1/2" | 2x4 | laid FLAT, 3-1/2" face out, covers the 4x4 post |
| Corner board — right end wall leg | 2 | 100-1/2" | 2x4 | laid FLAT, 3-1/2" face out, covers the 4x4 post |
8d
Doors, hatches and lids
Every opening you framed in step 5 now gets something to close it. Cut each slab a quarter inch smaller than its rough opening on all four sides — 3/4in plywood swells in the wet and a door cut to the exact opening size will bind by November.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access panel slab | 1 | 31-1/2" x 69-1/2" | 3/4" plywood | 3 hinges, opens out |
| Access panel batten rail | 2 | 30" | 1x4 | top and bottom, 1in in from each edge |
| Access panel batten diagonal | 1 | 66-7/16" | 1x4 | BOTTOM HINGE corner up to TOP LATCH corner; mitre both ends to suit |
| Pop door slab | 1 | 11-1/2" x 13-1/2" | 3/4" plywood | 2 hinges, opens out |
9
Nest bank
An exterior nest bank 45" long and 17 inches deep, hung off the side wall with a hinged lid.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nest bank floor | 1 | 45" x 17" | 3/4" plywood | |
| Nest bank back | 1 | 45" x 14" | 3/4" plywood | screws to the wall studs |
| Nest bank front | 1 | 45" x 10" | 3/4" plywood | leaves a 4in lip so eggs stay in |
| Nest bank end | 2 | 17" x 14" | 3/4" plywood | closes each end of the bank |
| Nest divider | 2 | 17" x 14" | 3/4" plywood | |
| Nest lid | 1 | 45" x 18" | 3/4" plywood | hinged |
| Nest bank frame | 4 | 45" | 2x4 |
10
Pop door and ramp
The pop-door slab was already cut in step 8d to fit the opening you framed in step 5c — do not cut another one.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramp | 1 | 43-1/16" x 10" | 3/4" plywood | trim to your measured drop |
| Ramp cleat | 10 | 10" | 1x2 | every 4in, so a hen has grip |
11
Run frame
The 6 ft x 10 ft screened run frames off the coop wall, 92" tall.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Run post | 6 | 92" | 2x4 | |
| Run top rail | 2 | 120" | 2x4 | |
| Run mid rail | 2 | 120" | 2x4 | |
| Run end rail | 3 | 65" | 2x4 | |
| Run purlin | 3 | 65" | 2x4 | across the top at every post — the mesh roof needs something to span to |
| Run brace | 4 | 33" | 2x4 | 45 deg corner braces, 33in on the long points |
| Run door stile | 2 | 74" | 2x4 | |
| Run door rail | 3 | 26" | 2x4 | finished door 33" wide |
12
Hardware cloth
The step that decides whether you still have a flock in two years. Quarter-inch hardware cloth over every opening, screwed through fender washers rather than only stapled.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Run walls | 1 | 67 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Run roof | 1 | 20 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Buried apron, 12in down and 12in out | 1 | 22 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Window screens | 1 | 5 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Continuous eave vent strip | 1 | 2 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Nest opening and pop-door surround | 1 | 3 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Under-floor skirt | 1 | 10 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth |
13
Roosts and droppings board
10 birds NEED 100 inches of perch at 10 inches each. Why 10 and not the 6 you have read everywhere.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roost bar | 3 | 49" | 2x4 | MOUNT ON EDGE — 1-1/2in face up, top corners eased round |
| Roost support | 4 | 14" | 2x4 | wall cleats |
| Roost bar leg | 3 | 16-1/2" | 2x4 | 1 per bar at 24-1/2" — a 49" bar is not held up by its ends alone |
| Droppings board | 1 | 51" x 24" | 3/4" plywood | removable, sealed or lined |
| Droppings board rail | 2 | 51" | 2x2 | slides out on these |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these 6x8 chicken coop plans really free?
The 6-page preview PDF is a free download with no email required, and everything published on this page stays free — every dimension, the spec table, the complete material list and all 20 assembly steps with their cut tables. The complete 49-page plan book — every wall on its own sheet with its own cut table, a board-by-board cut plan and a material buy list — is $4.99 on Etsy.
How many chickens fit in the 6x8 chicken coop?
7-10 hens. At 37 sq ft of floor, 7 birds get about 5 sq ft each, with 60 sq ft of screened run on top of that. The top of the range (10) assumes the birds spend their days outside rather than shut in.
What's in the full 49-page plan book?
Everything on this page — dimensioned plan and elevation drawings, the complete bill of materials (40 line items) and all 20 assembly steps with per-step cut tables — plus what a web page can't carry: the full written instruction for every step rather than the summary shown here, every wall framed on its own sheet, a board-by-board cut plan, a buy list you can hand to the lumber yard, and stop-and-measure checkpoints at each stage. The free 6-page preview PDF shows the design overview and main dimensions. On-page specs are computed from the same geometry that draws the PDFs, so the numbers can never disagree.
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