1
Posts
Four 4x4 posts cut to 99-1/2" carry the structure from grade to the top plate.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post A | 4 | 99-1/2" | 4x4 |
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8x12 Chicken Coop Plans for 12-19 Hens (Free PDF)
8x12 Chicken Coop with 8x12 Run: 80 sq ft of coop and 96 sq ft of screened run for 12-19 hens. Dimensioned drawings, a complete material list, and every cut length across 18 assembly steps. Advanced build, seven to nine days (55-70 hrs).
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 | 8 ft × 12 ft — 80 sq ft of bird floor |
|---|---|
| Run | 8 ft × 12 ft (96 sq ft), screened |
| Overall length | 288" coop + run |
| Peak height | 153-5/16" (48" roof rise) |
| Access | Walk-in — full standing headroom |
| Interior wall height | 64-3/4" |
| Floor height | 24" off grade — screened bay underneath |
| Capacity | 12-19 hens |
| Nest boxes | 5 in a 74-1/2" bank |
| Roost bar | 190" minimum (10" per bird) |
| Ventilation | 5.1 sq ft across 4 windows |
| Floor framing | 10 joists at 16" OC, 90" clear span |
| Build time | Seven to nine days (55-70 hrs) |
| Difficulty | Advanced |
| Materials cost | $3,950–$5,050 at 2026 prices |
What's Inside the Plans
Sample sheets from the complete 40-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 lumber | 8 feet | 2 pcs |
| 2x2 lumber | 8 feet | 2 pcs |
| 2x4 lumber | 16 feet | 1 pcs |
| 2x4 lumber | 14 feet | 4 pcs |
| 2x4 lumber | 12 feet | 6 pcs |
| 2x4 lumber | 8 feet | 91 pcs |
| 2x6 lumber | 14 feet | 4 pcs |
| 2x6 lumber | 8 feet | 10 pcs |
| 2x8 lumber (headers) | 8 feet | 2 pcs |
| 4x4 post (ground contact) | 12 feet | 2 pcs |
| 4x4 post (ground contact) | 10 feet | 12 pcs |
| 4x4 post (ground contact) | 8 feet | 2 pcs |
| 3/4" plywood | 4' x 8' | 13 pcs |
| 1/2" plywood (partition + header spacers) | 4' x 8' | 1 pcs |
| Lap siding | 12 ft, 8-1/4in exposure | 37 pcs (~256 sq ft of wall) |
| Corrugated metal roofing | 26" x 8 ft | 7 panels |
| Roof screws, neoprene washer | 1-1/2" | 280 pcs |
| Drip edge / eave closure strip | 10 ft | 5 pcs |
| 1/4" hardware cloth, 19 ga | 36" roll | 100 ft + 50 ft + 25 ft + 25 ft (186 ft needed) |
| Fender washers + screws for cloth | 1" washer | 744 pcs |
| Heavy-duty staples | 1/2" | 1 box (1000) |
| Coop windows | 18" x 23" | 4 |
| Pier blocks | solid concrete deck block | 12 pcs |
| Gravel, compacted under each block | 3/4" clean | 11 cu ft |
| Coarse sand or 3/8in drain rock (run floor) | 3-4in deep | 2 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 |
| Siding nails or screws | 5 lb box | 2 boxes |
| Exterior caulk | 10 oz tube | 3 tubes |
| Exterior primer + paint | 1 gal each | 1 + 1 |
| 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
10 joists at 16" on centre running the short direction, rim doubled on all four sides, 90" clear span — comfortably inside the published span tables, so no intermediate support is needed. True 16" spacing means plywood seams land on framing.
The 18 Assembly Steps
Every step, with the cut list it needs. The summaries here are the short version — the complete 40-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 | 89" | 4x4 | |
| Base support B (sides) | 2 | 137" | 4x4 | |
| Base blocking | 8 | 20-1/2" | 2x4 |
3
Floor joists
Joists sit 24" above grade on 16" centres, running the short direction across 90" in 2x6, with the rim doubled on all four sides.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rim joist (long sides) | 4 | 144" | 2x6 | doubled |
| Floor joist | 10 | 90" | 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 | 96" x 144" | 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
The low side. It carries the door and most of the glazing.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Bottom plate | 1 | 137" | 2x4 | sits flat on the deck — cut out at the doors AFTER standing |
| B Top plate | 1 | 137" | 2x4 | first plate over the studs |
| C Cap plate (upper top plate) | 1 | 134" | 2x4 | laps the corner — long walls SHORT both ends, end walls LONG both ends |
| D Common stud | 4 | 64-3/4" | 2x4 | 16in OC, crown out |
| E King stud (full height, beside the opening) | 6 | 64-3/4" | 2x4 | full height, outside the jack |
| F Jack stud (carries the header) | 2 | 61-1/4" | 2x4 | carries the header, sits ON the bottom plate |
| G Jack stud (carries the header) | 4 | 48-1/2" | 2x4 | carries the header, sits ON the bottom plate |
| H Header | 2 | 37" | 2x4 | two pieces + a 1/2in plywood spacer = 3-1/2in thick, flush both faces |
| I Header | 4 | 21" | 2x4 | two pieces + a 1/2in plywood spacer = 3-1/2in thick, flush both faces |
| J Rough sill | 2 | 21" | 2x4 | rough sill under the window |
| K Cripple under the sill | 6 | 24" | 2x4 | between bottom plate and rough sill |
| L Cripple over the header | 6 | 12-3/4" | 2x4 | between header and top plate |
5b
Back wall
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 | 137" | 2x4 | sits flat on the deck — cut out at the doors AFTER standing |
| B Top plate | 1 | 137" | 2x4 | first plate over the studs |
| C Cap plate (upper top plate) | 1 | 134" | 2x4 | laps the corner — long walls SHORT both ends, end walls LONG both ends |
| D Common stud | 4 | 64-3/4" | 2x4 | 16in OC, crown out |
| E King stud (full height, beside the opening) | 4 | 64-3/4" | 2x4 | full height, outside the jack |
| F Jack stud (carries the header) | 2 | 48-1/2" | 2x4 | carries the header, sits ON the bottom plate |
| G Jack stud (carries the header) | 2 | 27-1/2" | 2x4 | carries the header, sits ON the bottom plate |
| H Header | 2 | 77-1/2" | 2x8 | two pieces + a 1/2in plywood spacer = 3-1/2in thick, flush both faces |
| I Header | 2 | 21" | 2x4 | two pieces + a 1/2in plywood spacer = 3-1/2in thick, flush both faces |
| J Rough sill | 1 | 77-1/2" | 2x4 | rough sill under the window |
| K Rough sill | 1 | 21" | 2x4 | rough sill under the window |
| L Cripple under the sill | 3 | 24" | 2x4 | between bottom plate and rough sill |
| M Cripple under the sill | 6 | 13" | 2x4 | between bottom plate and rough sill |
| N Cripple over the header | 6 | 30" | 2x4 | between header and top plate |
| O Cripple over the header | 3 | 12-3/4" | 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 | 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 | 92" | 2x4 | laps the corner — long walls SHORT both ends, end walls LONG both ends |
| D Common stud | 6 | 64-3/4" | 2x4 | 16in OC, crown out |
| E King stud (full height, beside the opening) | 2 | 64-3/4" | 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 | 44-3/4" | 2x4 | between header and top plate |
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 | 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 | 92" | 2x4 | laps the corner — long walls SHORT both ends, end walls LONG both ends |
| D Common stud | 5 | 64-3/4" | 2x4 | 16in OC, crown out |
| E King stud (full height, beside the opening) | 2 | 64-3/4" | 2x4 | full height, outside the jack |
| F Jack stud (carries the header) | 2 | 48-1/2" | 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 | 24" | 2x4 | between bottom plate and rough sill |
| J Cripple over the header | 3 | 12-3/4" | 2x4 | between header and top plate |
6
Gable ends, rafters and rafter ties
A 12:12 gable — the rise equals the run, so every rafter is cut at 45 degrees and the ridge lands 48" above the top plate.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafter | 14 | 79-7/8" | 2x4 | 45 deg plumb cut, 12" tail |
| Ridge board | 1 | 168" | 2x4 | |
| Rafter tie | 7 | 89" | 2x4 | one per rafter pair, at top-plate level |
| Gable stud (varies) | 8 | 28-13/16" | 2x4 | cut to fit under the rafter |
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 | 6 | 4' x 8' sheet | 3/4" plywood | lay the 8-ft dimension UP the slope; seams land on a rafter |
| Metal roof panel | 7 | 8 ft x 26" | corrugated steel | 26in wide, 24in coverage; one piece eave to ridge, no lap partway up |
8a
Siding
Lap siding in 9-foot courses, starting from a level chalk line at the bottom and working up.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lap siding board | 99 | 9 ft | 9 ft lap siding | 5in wide, ~1in lap |
8b
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walk-in door slab | 1 | 33-1/2" x 62-1/4" | 3/4" plywood | 3 hinges, opens out |
| Walk-in door batten rail | 2 | 32" | 1x4 | top and bottom, 1in in from each edge |
| Walk-in door batten diagonal | 1 | 60-7/8" | 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 74-1/2" long and 17 inches deep, hung off the side wall with a hinged lid.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nest bank floor | 1 | 74-1/2" x 17" | 3/4" plywood | |
| Nest bank back | 1 | 74-1/2" x 14" | 3/4" plywood | screws to the wall studs |
| Nest bank front | 1 | 74-1/2" 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 | 4 | 17" x 14" | 3/4" plywood | |
| Nest lid | 1 | 74-1/2" x 18" | 3/4" plywood | hinged |
| Nest bank frame | 4 | 74-1/2" | 2x4 |
10
Pop door and ramp
The pop-door slab was already cut in step 8b to fit the opening you framed in step 5c — do not cut another one.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramp | 1 | 69-7/8" x 10" | 3/4" plywood | trim to your measured drop |
| Ramp cleat | 17 | 10" | 1x2 | every 4in, so a hen has grip |
11
Run frame
The 8 ft x 12 ft screened run frames off the coop wall, 96-13/16" tall.
| Part | Qty | Length | Stock | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Run post | 8 | 96-13/16" | 4x4 | |
| Run top rail | 2 | 144" | 2x4 | |
| Run mid rail | 2 | 144" | 2x4 | |
| Run end rail | 3 | 89" | 2x4 | |
| Run purlin | 4 | 89" | 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 | 87 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Run roof | 1 | 32 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Buried apron, 12in down and 12in out | 1 | 27 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Window screens | 1 | 6 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Continuous eave vent strip | 1 | 3 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Nest opening and pop-door surround | 1 | 4 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth | |
| Under-floor skirt | 1 | 27 lin ft | 1/4" hardware cloth |
13
Roosts and droppings board
19 birds NEED 190 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 | 73" | 2x4 | MOUNT ON EDGE — 1-1/2in face up, top corners eased round |
| Roost support | 6 | 14" | 2x4 | wall cleats |
| Roost bar leg | 3 | 16-1/2" | 2x4 | 1 per bar at 36-1/2" — a 73" bar is not held up by its ends alone |
| Droppings board | 1 | 75" x 24" | 3/4" plywood | removable, sealed or lined |
| Droppings board rail | 2 | 75" | 2x2 | slides out on these |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these 8x12 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 18 assembly steps with their cut tables. The complete 40-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 8x12 chicken coop?
12-19 hens. At 80 sq ft of floor, 12 birds get about 7 sq ft each, with 96 sq ft of screened run on top of that. The top of the range (19) assumes the birds spend their days outside rather than shut in.
What's in the full 40-page plan book?
Everything on this page — dimensioned plan and elevation drawings, the complete bill of materials (35 line items) and all 18 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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