Keeping chickens has become an increasingly popular hobby and a sustainable lifestyle choice for many across the USA. Whether you’re after fresh eggs, natural pest control, or just a little farm charm in your backyard, a chicken house is essential. But with so many styles and designs to choose from, how do you know which one suits your space and aesthetic?
In this article, we’ve rounded up 23 creative and functional chicken coop design diy cheap ideas for every type of backyard. Whether you’re living in the suburbs or on a larger plot of land, you’ll find something that fits your style and meets the needs of your chickens.
1. Cozy Cottage-Inspired Chicken House
Imagine a charming cottage-style chicken house tucked away in a cozy corner of your garden. This design blends seamlessly with your backyard, offering both beauty and function. A cottage-inspired chicken house is usually small but perfectly formed, often featuring wood paneling, a slanted roof, and quaint little details like a small window or front porch.
These coops work well for those with smaller yards or urban spaces, as they are compact but provide enough room for your chickens to be comfortable. A little extra insulation or padding can help keep your chickens warm in the winter and cool in the summer, making it a practical choice as well.
Adding personal touches like flower boxes or painted designs will give it a whimsical look that blends right in with your garden decor. Plus, this design helps keep predators at bay while offering a space that’s easy to maintain and clean.
2. Modern Minimalist Chicken Coop
For those who love sleek, contemporary designs, the modern minimalist chicken coop is the way to go. Think clean lines, simple geometry, and a focus on functionality. These coops often feature large windows or mesh sides for maximum ventilation, and some even incorporate modern patio furniture elements into the design.
The simplicity of the design makes it easy to build and maintain, and it works well for homeowners with a minimalist aesthetic. If your backyard has modern back porch ideas or you’re aiming for an outdoor living vibe, this design will fit right in. The modern patio furniture vibe in this design extends to how comfortable and cozy your chickens will feel in their new home.
A minimalist coop can be built using sustainable materials like bamboo or repurposed wood, ensuring that it not only looks good but is environmentally friendly as well.
3. Raised Chicken Coop for Better Ventilation
Raised chicken coops have become a favorite for those living in humid or hot climates. Elevating your chicken house off the ground allows for better airflow and ventilation, which keeps the interior cooler during the summer months. This setup also makes cleaning the coop a lot easier since you don’t have to kneel or bend down as much to clean the bedding or collect eggs.
A raised coop is also safer for your chickens, as it keeps them out of reach of ground-level predators like raccoons or stray dogs. To enhance the design, you can add modern back porch ideas underneath the coop, turning the space into a shaded, relaxing area for you while your chickens roam freely in a secure run below.
If you’re worried about keeping the coop warm in the winter, you can add insulation to the floor and walls to create a comfortable environment year-round.
4. Rustic Barn-Style Chicken House
For a classic farm-inspired look, the rustic barn-style chicken house is a great choice. These coops mimic the look of a traditional barn, with features like wood slats, a pitched roof, and a sliding door. Often painted in red or white, the rustic design adds instant charm to any backyard, and it’s especially perfect if you want to make a bold statement with your chicken house.
Rustic barn-style coops can be customized with back porch decor to give it a homey touch. You can add a small porch for your chickens to peck around or even use recycled wood for a weathered finish that adds more character. These coops are spacious and provide ample room for your chickens to move around comfortably.
In terms of functionality, the barn-style coop is excellent for colder climates, as the solid walls and roof provide ample protection from wind and snow.
5. DIY Pallet Chicken Coop
If you’re a DIY enthusiast, why not repurpose some old wooden pallets to build your very own DIY pallet chicken coop? Pallets are easy to find, relatively inexpensive, and make for an eco-friendly choice. You can stack and secure them to create the walls, roof, and floor of your chicken house, and customize the design to suit your needs.
This type of chicken coop is ideal for those on a budget who don’t mind getting their hands dirty. It also adds a rustic, homemade touch to your backyard. The back porch decor theme can be incorporated into the pallet design by adding plants or lights around the outside of the coop to make it feel more inviting.
Not only is it a fun project, but it also provides a durable, safe environment for your chickens. As with any DIY project, make sure the structure is sturdy and predator-proof before adding your chickens.
6. A-Frame Chicken Coop for a Simple Look
The A-frame chicken coop is a simple, classic design that works well for small backyard chicken keepers. Its triangular shape provides ample space for your chickens to roam around without taking up too much room in your yard. These coops are often constructed from wood and feature slanted roofs that help with water drainage, keeping the coop dry and clean.
An A-frame chicken house is low-maintenance and easy to build, making it a great option for beginners. The design also encourages natural light to filter in, ensuring your chickens have a well-lit space to live in. To enhance the A-frame design, you can add modern patio furniture outside for a cute, functional area where your chickens can interact with you or take in the fresh air.
7. Chicken Mansion with a Run
If you have a larger backyard and want to give your chickens the luxury they deserve, a chicken mansion with a run is the perfect choice. These grand coops feature multiple levels, spacious runs, and plenty of space for your flock to spread out. Some even have small ramps leading up to the higher levels where your chickens can nest and roost.
These chicken mansions can be designed to match any aesthetic, whether you prefer a more traditional or contemporary look. For example, you could incorporate some back porch decor ideas by adding a small garden, hanging plants, or even an outdoor lounge area nearby where you can sit and enjoy watching your chickens.
The added run ensures that your chickens have ample space to stretch their wings and get fresh air. It’s a great solution for keeping your chickens safe while giving them the freedom to roam.
8. Hen House with a Green Roof
For a truly eco-friendly chicken coop, consider building a hen house with a green roof. This design incorporates plants or grass onto the roof of the chicken house, creating a natural, sustainable aesthetic. Not only does it help with insulation, but it also provides a habitat for birds and insects, adding biodiversity to your backyard.
A green roof is especially beneficial for those living in warmer climates, as it helps to keep the chicken house cool in the summer by reducing heat absorption. You can choose from various plant species that are low-maintenance, like succulents, moss, or even small herbs that can be harvested for your kitchen.
The natural beauty of the green roof will complement your overall back porch decor, creating a cohesive, natural-looking environment for both you and your chickens.
9. Victorian-Inspired Chicken Coop
If you love vintage design and want to add a touch of elegance to your backyard, a Victorian-inspired chicken coop is the perfect choice. These coops feature intricate details like decorative trim, painted finishes, and ornate windows that evoke the charm of the Victorian era. These coops can be larger in size, offering plenty of room for your chickens to thrive.
To complement the Victorian look, you can add back porch decor like vintage chairs, hanging baskets, or an ornate trellis for climbing plants. The Victorian chicken house adds a timeless, sophisticated touch to your garden while providing a safe and comfortable space for your chickens.
10. Mobile Chicken Coop (Chicken Tractor)
A mobile chicken coop—also known as a chicken tractor—is a great option for those who want to allow their chickens to roam freely without compromising safety. These coops are built on wheels, allowing you to easily move the structure around your yard. This means your chickens can enjoy fresh grass and forage while staying protected from predators.
Chicken tractors are typically smaller than traditional coops, but they still provide a cozy environment for your chickens. The modern patio furniture design could be incorporated into your mobile coop’s setup, creating an outdoor space for you to relax while your chickens are out enjoying the grass.
This style of coop is ideal for people who want a more hands-on approach to chicken keeping and prefer a constantly rotating grazing area for their chickens.
11. Chicken House in a Garden Shed
Repurposing an old garden shed into a chicken house is a brilliant way to save money and recycle an existing structure. A garden shed chicken house can be as simple or elaborate as you like, with plenty of space for your chickens to roam. The beauty of this design lies in its flexibility—it’s easy to convert an old shed into a fully functioning chicken house by adding nesting boxes, perches, and windows for ventilation.
Incorporating back porch decor ideas around the garden shed will further enhance its charm. You can decorate with climbing plants, hanging lights, or even a little bench to make it feel like part of your garden oasis. A garden shed chicken house also provides excellent protection from the elements and predators.
12. Compact Chicken Coop for Small Yards
If you have a small yard, you can still keep chickens with a compact chicken coop design. These coops are small but efficient, offering just enough space for your chickens to live comfortably without overwhelming your yard. Compact coops are often designed with vertical space in mind, utilizing shelves and perches to maximize the limited area.
This type of chicken house is perfect for city dwellers or those who don’t have a lot of backyard space. You can make the most of your compact coop by incorporating back porch decor elements, like small planters or outdoor lighting, to create a cozy space around the coop.
13. The Traditional Chicken Coop with a Run
If you’re looking for a reliable and traditional option, the traditional chicken coop with a run is a tried-and-true design. It’s a spacious structure that includes both a secure house for your chickens to sleep and lay eggs, along with a secure run where they can roam and scratch.
This setup works well for both urban and rural spaces, offering a simple but efficient solution to chicken-keeping. You can customize the design with back porch decor, like a small wooden bench or potted plants, around the chicken run to enhance the look of the area.
The run area ensures that your chickens have plenty of space to roam and forage, reducing the chances of them becoming bored or stressed. The addition of sturdy wire mesh around the run will also help keep predators out.
14. The Luxury Chicken Villa
For those who want to go all out and spoil their chickens, the luxury chicken villa is the ultimate in chicken house designs. This concept involves building a spacious, multi-level chicken house with all the bells and whistles—ranging from designer wood finishes to cozy nesting areas and even an integrated automatic feeding system.
The luxury villa also features wide windows for natural light, custom-made perches, and a well-designed ventilation system to keep the air fresh and breathable. You can add back porch decor and extra comfort by surrounding the chicken villa with flowers and a garden path that adds an elegant touch.
A chicken villa is not just about aesthetics—it’s about providing a luxurious, stress-free environment for your chickens to thrive. The extensive space allows them to socialize and enjoy their surroundings, making it a great investment for dedicated chicken keepers.
15. The Quirky Geodesic Dome Coop
If you’re looking for something truly unique, the geodesic dome chicken coop is a fun and modern alternative. A dome structure offers a visually striking design, with its rounded walls providing more usable space for your chickens. This innovative coop provides great ventilation and natural light, ensuring your chickens stay happy and healthy.
A geodesic dome is also incredibly durable and offers earthquake-resistant benefits in areas prone to shaking. It’s a fantastic design for anyone who loves a little flair mixed with function, making your backyard look like a mini urban farm or a futuristic chicken paradise.
Adding back porch decor and a garden path around the dome coop will complement the futuristic feel and create a unique space in your backyard.
16. A Modern Shipping Container Chicken Coop
Repurposing a shipping container for a chicken coop is a fantastic, eco-friendly option that provides sturdy protection for your flock. The container design offers a robust structure, easily customizable to your needs. You can add windows, nesting boxes, and perches inside, as well as insulation to ensure that your chickens are comfortable throughout the year.
Shipping container coops can also be a mobile solution, as many are designed to be transported. You can create a rotating free-range setup by moving the container around your yard, ensuring that your chickens have access to fresh grass and foraging areas while remaining protected from predators.
By adding a modern patio furniture arrangement nearby, you can turn the space around the container coop into a chic, outdoor lounge area for you to relax in while your chickens enjoy their new home.
17. Raised Coop with a Balcony
For a multi-level chicken house that also gives your chickens a bit of extra freedom, a raised coop with a balcony design is a great idea. The raised coop provides ample airflow, and the balcony offers your chickens an elevated spot to perch and observe their surroundings. This elevated platform provides a safe haven for your chickens, especially from ground predators like snakes or foxes.
The design often includes easy-to-clean ramps that lead up to the balcony, and netting around the area to keep chickens safe. To enhance the look of the space, you can add back porch decor elements such as hanging plants, fairy lights, or a small bistro table where you can sit and enjoy watching your chickens.
This design maximizes the use of vertical space, making it a great solution for smaller backyards or limited spaces.
18. The Eco-Friendly Straw Bale Coop
If sustainability is a priority for you, the straw bale chicken coop is an excellent choice. This eco-friendly design uses natural straw bales as building materials, offering both insulation and environmentally conscious construction. Straw is a renewable resource that’s great at regulating the temperature inside the coop, keeping your chickens cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
These coops can be styled in a rustic, farmhouse fashion and can be easily customized with small windows or ventilation holes. The green roof design is an added bonus—grow native plants or herbs on top to create a beautiful green canopy that provides shade for your chickens during the hot months.
A straw bale coop is an ideal option for those who want to minimize their environmental footprint while creating a safe and comfortable space for their chickens.
19. The Victorian Greenhouse Coop
For those who love gardening, the Victorian greenhouse chicken coop design integrates the beauty of a greenhouse with the functionality of a chicken house. These coops feature large glass windows and roofs, allowing for abundant sunlight and a natural environment for your chickens.
This design combines both beauty and practicality, as the greenhouse-style coop allows for better ventilation, airflow, and an environment where your chickens can enjoy fresh greens and plants throughout the year. You can plant herbs or vegetables inside the greenhouse, giving your chickens an opportunity to forage and enjoy the natural world.
Surround the greenhouse with back porch decor elements such as rustic planters, a bench, and hanging lanterns for a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels like an extension of your home’s outdoor living space.
20. The Repurposed Shed Chicken Coop
For an affordable and functional chicken house, look no further than the repurposed shed chicken coop. If you already have a garden shed in your backyard, transforming it into a chicken house is a simple and cost-effective solution. You can keep the original structure and make modifications by adding ventilation, nesting boxes, and perches inside.
This coop can be further enhanced with back porch decor like small planters and stepping stones leading up to the entrance. Since a shed usually provides ample space, your chickens will have plenty of room to roam, and the design is easy to maintain with a clean-out door for easy access.
This is a practical and eco-friendly solution that gives new life to an old structure while providing your chickens with a safe and secure home.
21. The Hobbit House Coop
For something truly whimsical and fun, a Hobbit house chicken coop is a great design. Inspired by the famous houses from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, these coops often feature round, arched doors, earthy materials like stone and wood, and grass-covered roofs. The hobbit house design blends seamlessly into a rustic or natural landscape, adding a magical touch to your garden.
The design allows for an enclosed living area, with a small entrance and a secure run where chickens can roam and explore. Adding back porch decor like lanterns or fairy lights will enhance the charming, whimsical feel of the space, creating an enchanting area for both your chickens and your family.
This quirky, fun design is perfect for families with young children or those who love adding a unique, personal touch to their garden.
22. The Sleek Metal Coop
For a modern and industrial vibe, consider a sleek metal chicken coop. These coops are built from steel or corrugated metal panels, giving them a clean, minimalist look. They’re incredibly durable, easy to clean, and provide excellent protection from the elements. Metal coops also tend to be predator-proof, keeping your chickens safe from outside threats.
This type of coop works well in urban or suburban settings, especially if you’re aiming to integrate it with your existing modern outdoor living space. You can place it near your modern back porch ideas, creating a cohesive look while ensuring your chickens live in a safe, comfortable environment.
23. The Barn-Style Chicken Coop with Porch
If you’re craving the classic country charm of a barn-style chicken coop, why not add a porch to it? This design features a spacious barn with an attached porch area, where your chickens can relax, bask in the sun, and enjoy a more natural environment. A porch is a fun addition that adds extra space for your chickens, as well as a decorative touch for your backyard.
Complete the design with back porch decor like comfortable chairs, hanging plants, and decorative lighting to make the space feel inviting and functional. This design is perfect for families with ample space who want a blend of beauty and practicality.
Conclusion
Choosing the right chicken house for your backyard is a big decision, but it’s also an exciting one! With these 23 unique ideas, you can create a space that not only meets your chickens’ needs but also complements your personal style and your backyard’s overall aesthetic.
Whether you opt for a rustic barn, a modern minimalist design, or a quirky hobbit house, your chickens will have a safe and comfortable home to call their own. We hope this list inspires you to build the perfect chicken house that both you and your flock will love!
