If you’re building a chicken house, start by determining the preferred dimensions. In this example, the structure will be 8 ft long, 4 ft wide and 6 feet high.
Required Tools and Materials
2 x 4 x 8’ (four pieces)
2 x 4 x 6’ (12 pieces)
2 x 4 x 4’ (eight pieces)
Lumber (for the door frame)
Chicken wire
Plywood
Box of nails, screws
Several hinges and latches
Step 1
Mark the lumber pieces first. The 4 piece 2 x 4 x 8 are for the top and bottom frame lengths; the dozen 2 x 4 x 6 are for the frame heights and door frame. The 2 x 4 x 4 boards are the top and bottom frame (width) and the nesting.
Step 2
Begin building a chicken house by screwing the four bottom wood pieces. Connect a couple of the side pieces to the frame. Put these inside the frame.
Step 3
Gather the lumber for the top frames and screw them to the frame. For the door, choose one of the 8 ft sides, preferably the one near the nesting. Get the door wood pieces. Screw the sides, bottom and top together.
Add some chicken wire to the door if you want. When you’re done, screw in two more 6 ft long wood boards. Get the hinges and attach them to the door. Screw the hinges and install the door.
Step 4
After building a chicken house frame, you need to put in chicken wire around the sides. Make sure they are fastened tight. Fasten the topmost wires before adding on the roof. Slice an opening in the nesting area.
Step 5
Cut and shape the roof as desired. Put the roof over the structure. You can use nails or screws.
Step 6
The nesting sizes here are good for ten chickens. Begin by making support brackets that can connect to any of the 4 ft ends you made. You can use a couple of 4 ft long boards. Join them (L shape) and link to the frame. Screw the nesting.
Now you can start building a chicken house nesting box. Get a plywood and cut it into a box shape. Put a hinge on its top. Make an opening in the box’s back so the chickens can move to the other areas.
Step 7
Sand any rough edges. Cut and cover any sharp wires. When this is done, you can join the nesting onto the frame.
Step 8
For the flooring you can put on sawdust or straw. When everything is set, you can put the chickens in.
Tips and Warnings
You can always visit the nearest Co-op for more info about making chicken house. Wear goggles to protect your eyes when sawing. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice on how to rear chickens best. Make sure to take out the excess wires you cut before putting in the chickens.
If you’re building a chicken house that’s larger, increase the wood lumbers you’re going to use. However the building process is still the same.
