Small Chicken Coops: Inside & Out

One of the hobbies currently taking the world by storm is caring for chickens! People worldwide love keeping them as pets and love the eggs they get from their chickens. Did you know there are actually a lot of different ways to house these chickens? In this article, we want to take a look at some small chicken coops and find out the best things for you to know and have. You will also get a look into some of the models you can choose!

Small Chicken Coop Interior Layout

There are three basic things you will want to make sure your small chicken coop has before purchasing. 

1. Roosting Perches
2. Nesting Boxes
3. Air Flow

It is also good to know about them in case your chickens are ever acting strange or are not producing eggs.

Roosting Perch

A roosting perch allows your chickens to feel safe while they sleep. Seeking a high point in their shelter is something chickens have in common with many other animals. If your chickens don’t have this perch, they may not feel comfortable in their small chicken coop. 

Roosting perches have different height requirements, materials, locations, and sizes needed for these perches. For that reason, it is very beneficial to be able to purchase a small chicken coop that already contains one!

Nesting Boxes

Nesting boxes are where you will be able to get eggs! Like the roosting perch, these boxes provide that safe space for your chickens to be comfortable. These are key in a small coop. Without proper nesting boxes, your chickens may never feel comfortable enough to lay any eggs. Or they may lay the eggs where you cannot find them.

Some people will say that nesting boxes are unnecessary because chickens can feel safe without them. While some chickens may feel safe laying eggs without a space to do so, this is not common and will generally not yield results. 

When filling your nesting boxes in your small chicken coop, you will need some of the following:

• Straw
• Sand
• Shredded Paper
• Hemp

These will allow a loose and soft location for the eggs to be laid. Chickens are okay with these materials and may refuse to lay eggs if you try plastics and other fake bedding options.

Air Flow

Chickens need fresh air just like the rest of us living creatures! The main reasons to ventilate your small chicken coop are:

1. Illness Prevention
2. Improved Hygiene
3. Preventing Death

Vents will allow carbon dioxide and moisture to exit the coop as fresh air enters. This ventilation practice continues to remain very important during all seasons, even the winter months. Chickens can survive in colder climates but die if excess moisture and carbon dioxide are present in their environment. 

There are many different ways to go about ventilating your chicken coop. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Windows
• Ridge Vents
• Gable Vents
• Soffit Vents
• Fans

Are you wondering about cold vs. warm weather ventilation? Each season presents unique challenges when ventilating your small chicken coop. Chicken coops in warmer weather will need venting above the chickens and everywhere else you possibly can. Small chicken coops in cold weather will need ventilation above the chickens. The idea is to keep their environment safe and healthy while not causing them to freeze. 

Small Chicken Coop Ideas

There are many different ways to create the perfect small chicken coop. Here are some tried and true methods to keep in mind as you shop for your own!

• Walk-in

These coops provide enough space for your chickens to thrive and allow you to visit with them. There is generally an elevated coop area and an outside space where you enter from.

• Saltbox

This is a traditional-style small chicken coop. It is one structure that includes the roosting perch and space for a few nesting boxes. There are windows, doors, and a small exit into an area you would need to affix to the structure for them to be outside securely.

• Basic

A basic chicken coop can be as small as 4’ x 4’. Commonly found in city homes with small yards, these coops are elevated and feature multiple access doors. These coops are the simplest, smallest, and most inexpensive, and are provided with built-in ventilation for new chicken owners’ needs.

Best Small Chicken Coop

The best small chicken coop is not a comprehensive list of pre-built coops. The best coop is going to be different for most people. If you want to find the best coop, here are the four questions you need to ask yourself!

1. How many chickens do you want?
2. How big is your yard?
3. What climate do you live in?
4. How much do you want to spend?

These questions will allow you to come to an answer that gives you a coop specific to your needs. We do recommend staying away from Walmart and even Amazon coops. When it comes to proper materials, ventilation, and space…it is tough to find quality chicken coops, no matter the size, from these places. 

What Size Chicken Coop Do I Need For 2 Chickens?

If you only plan on ever having two chickens, a 10-square-foot coop can do the job. You may want to consider a 20-30 square foot coop because of its ample space.

Chicken coops should not go below 8 square feet. If you only plan to have 2 chickens, a 10-square-foot coop will do the job! If you have ample yard space, you may want to consider a 20-30 square foot coop. This size coop will give your chickens the benefit of additional roaming space. However, no matter the size you decide is right for you, a small chicken coop should never be smaller than 8 square feet.

Small Chicken Coop For 4 Chickens

A 4’ x 4’ chicken coop is the perfect size for four chickens. You always want to give your chickens more space if you can, but 16 square feet will do the job for 4. 

An excellent premise to keep in mind is ensuring an additional 10 square feet with each chicken you add!

Common Sizes Of Small Chicken Coops

The most common size of a small chicken coop is an 8’ x 10’ coop. Here are a few other standard sizes to pick from.

• 9’ x 12’
• 4’ x 8’
• 8’ x 8’

Small Chicken Coop Materials

When it comes to chicken coop materials, you may need to utilize a few different options. The reason for this is; that there are two separate spaces that make up a full coop. There is the main structure, as well as a run or outdoor space. Let’s check out the main structural materials first.

• Plastic

Plastic chicken coops are going to be the best for cleaning purposes. The maintenance is less than other coop styles, and it will require only a few minutes to wash out. These small chicken coops do not invite any pests that are often seen in wooden chicken coops.  

• Wood

Building a chicken coop with wood gives the best ability for your preferred design and allows for customization. Wooden chicken coop structures are generally the most popular and sought-after for any backyard. Whether standard lumber or pressure-treated wood, these small chicken coops will be durable and last for years. You can paint your chicken coop with ease after it has been delivered too!

• Metal

Metal chicken coops have many of the same benefits as plastic while also being much more durable. Metal chicken coops are easy to maintain and less expensive than wood in some cases. Metal will also keep out any unwanted pests!

Small Chicken Coop With Porch

A porch can help make your small chicken coop more home-like. This look offers another layer that is visually appealing to your yard. It also allows you to wipe off any residue on your shoes from inside the chicken coop. Here are a few examples of small chicken coops with porches!

Small Chicken Coop Roof

One of the last pieces of the small chicken coop we need to discuss is the roof! There are a few main points to consider for your chicken coop roof:

1. Durability – You want your rooftop to be able to withstand everything that nature throws at it (Literally and figuratively 🙂 ). A leaking roof after one heavy rainstorm is going to be very tiring to deal with. Finding a budget-friendly material that also resists Mother Nature is tough to find. 
2. Material – We are going to take a look at the best material for your chicken coop roof below. Luckily, a few options can meet your needs depending on where you live. 
3. Moisture – A roof that helps dispel moisture is a chicken owner’s best friend. We don’t want a roof that absorbs or fully contains it. 
4. Climate – Your small chicken coop roof choice is going to depend on where you live. If you are in the South, you may have better options than someone who gets 3 feet of snow every year. 

Now that you know a little bit more about what to look for, here are the three main roof choices you will have for your coop. 

• Metal

Pros: Affordability, Durability, Maintenance

Cons: Moisture, Noise

Metal roofs on chicken coops are going to be the most standard option. These roofs provide quality and durability for your backyard chickens. As one of the more affordable options for chicken coop roofs, metal is also low maintenance. By using a power washer, you can have your small chicken coop’s roof cleaned quickly!

Metal roofs will keep more moisture in than other roofing materials. Something to keep in mind is that a metal roof will also produce noise when the rain comes. Some people find the sounds soothing, while others find it annoying and fear it will make their chickens anxious. Take a listen for yourself and see if you can endure a night of rain on a metal roof!

• Plastic Panels

Pros: Affordability, Maintenance, 

Cons: Durability, Traps Heat, 

Plastic roofing is a mixed-bag as a roofing solution. It is affordable and easy to maintain, however, all of that can go away if your roof becomes compromised. If a strong storm rips off, punctures, or ruins your roof in any way…a plastic roof can start becoming expensive. 

This material also allows additional heat to stay in, creating a much warmer environment than you would otherwise intend. 

• Shingles

Pros: Durability, Availability

Cons: Price

Shingles are a great option if you are okay with the price The material as a whole is a bit more expensive, however, the price is reflective of high quality and durable material. Obviously, many homes use shingles, so you know they are going to be a very durable option. Since shingles are very common in the roofing industry, you may be able to hire a roofer to put a shingle roof on your small chicken shed. 

In-Stock Small Chicken Coops

If you are in the Kentucky area and surrounding counties, we would love to get you the right chicken coop. Below are some of our current in-stock models. You can also request a quote to let us know exactly what kind of chicken coop you are looking for! If you have any questions about our chicken coops or need help in the buying process, don’t chicken out when reaching out to us! We can’t wait to hear from you!