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Free chicken coop plan

Chicken Coop Plans for 12 Chickens

12 standard hens need 48 sq ft of coop floor, 3 nest boxes and 8' of roost. The smallest of our sizes that passes every check is the 8x8 walk-in coop, drawn here with its run.

hens
12
sq ft inside
55
nest boxes
3
sq ft of run
120
Change the size or flock

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Materials for this coop and its run: $3,840.79, at Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026; Lowe's, Atlanta-Edgewood store, Oct 8, 2026; Home Depot, Bronx Terminal store, Sep 30, 2026.

8x8 chicken coop, walk-in, 6/12 gable roof, for 12 standard hens.

What 12 chickens need

For standard laying hens with a run. The first column is our default, the second the least an extension source accepts.

SpaceOur defaultLeast accepted
Coop floor48 sq ft36 sq ft
Run120 sq ft48 sq ft
Nest boxes33
Roost8'6'

What this plan gives the flock

Every check names its rule and source. Green meets our default, amber sits between the least a source accepts and our default or is a builder's rule of thumb, red is below every source we read.

CheckResultThis planNeededSource
Coop floorOK55 sq ft inside the walls (4.6 per bird)48 sq ft (4 per bird), at least 36 sq ftVirginia Tech, Cooperative Extension, Oregon State
RunOK120 sq ft120 sq ft (10 per bird), at least 48 sq ftVirginia Tech, Cooperative Extension, Colorado State
Nest boxesOK33 (one per 4 hens, at least 2)Oregon State, UNH, Kentucky
Nest box sizeOK12 in12 in cube, at least 10 inOregon State, Kentucky, UGA
Nest box floor heightOK18 in18 in above the coop floorUtah State, Colorado State, Penn State
Nest box lipOK4 in4 in, at least 3 inPenn State, Utah State
Roost lengthOK14.8 ft8 ft (8 in per bird), at least 6 ftVirginia Tech, Penn State, Utah State
Roost heightOK24 inabout 24 in, never above 48 inOregon State, Penn State, Maryland
Roost above the nestsOKroost 24 in, nest floor 18 inroost bar higher than the nest box floorMaryland, Oregon State, Colorado State
Space between barsOK12 in12 in, at least 10 inPenn State, Cooperative Extension, Oregon State
Bar to the wallOK12 in12 in, at least 8 inCooperative Extension, Kentucky
Ventilation (rule of thumb)Rule of thumb6.3 sq ft, 6.3 sq ft highabout 5.5 sq ft of screened opening, at least half of it highRule of thumb from coop builders
Mesh on the openingsOK1/2 in hardware clothhardware cloth, 1/2 in or smallerUtah State, UC Davis, Maryland
Floor off the groundOK24 in24 in, at least 12 inOregon State, NC State, UC Davis
Pop doorRule of thumb10 in x 13 in10 in x 13 inPenn State
Run wallsOK1/2 in hardware cloth, full heighthardware cloth the full heightUtah State, UC Davis, UNH
Anti-dig apronOK12 in on the surface, pinned12 in on the surface, or buried 12 in and turned 6 in outNC State, Penn State, Virginia Tech
Run roofOKroof panelscovered against hawks and owlsPenn State, NC State, Oregon State
Run roof framing under snowOK2x6 purlins every 22-1/2", longest span 129" (bending)purlins that span 93" at 30 psfOur default
Run roof panelsOK1-1/2" of fall per foot, purlins 22-1/2" apart, rated 40 psf by the makerat least 1-1/2 in of fall per foot, and a panel rating of 30 psf at the purlin spacingPalram (Suntuf guide), Palram (Suntuf data sheet)
Run headroomOKframing 73-1/2" at the low end, 96" at the coop, door opening 66" clear, tucked under the eaveframing about 72 in tall at the low end, so you can step inOur default, after NC State
Run out from the coopOK15 ftat least 6 ftNC State
Pop door into the runOKon the left wallpop door and ramp on the run wallOur default, after NC State

The coop

Footprint8' wide x 8' deep, 55 sq ft inside the walls
TypeWalk-in coop, gable roof at 6/12
Floor24" off the ground on 12 pressure-treated 4x4 legs, 2x6 joists, 3/4 in plywood, hardware cloth underneath
Walls2x4 framing, 6' tall, panel siding; 10' 4-7/8" from the ground to the top of the roof
Nest boxes3 boxes, 12" inside, floor 18" up, inside the coop
Roosts2 bars of 2x4 on the flat, 14' 10" in all, 24" up, over a removable dropping board
Ventilation6.3 sq ft of screened opening, 6.3 of it high under the overhang (about 5.5 asked by the rule of thumb)
Doorsperson door 30" wide on the front wall; pop door 10" x 13" on the left wall with a ramp
Inside, with the walls cut away: nest boxes and roosts outlined.

The run

Size8' x 15' (120 sq ft), 73-1/2" at the low end and 96" at the coop
Placementleft side, tucked under the coop eave
Frame10 pressure-treated 4x4 posts set 24 in in the ground, 2x4 rails at the ground, at each mesh joint and at the top
Walls48 in hardware cloth over 48 in hardware cloth, on the outside of the posts
Roof10 corrugated polycarbonate panels on 7 2x6 purlins, falling 22-1/2" away from the coop
Door and apron30" x 66" door; 24 in hardware cloth apron pinned on the ground all round

What it costs

Materials
$3,840.79
Coop alone
$2,705.89
The run adds
$1,134.90
Lines priced
73/73

Every line of the materials list below has a price: the coop, its run, the mesh, the hardware, the caulk, primer and paint. Shelf prices read at Home Depot, Hamilton Mill store, Oct 8, 2026; Lowe's, Atlanta-Edgewood store, Oct 8, 2026 and Home Depot, Bronx Terminal store, Sep 30, 2026, before tax and delivery. Sales tax, delivery and tools are not included. The run figure is this plan minus the same coop without a run.

Prices differ by store and by week: type yours into the chicken coop cost calculator to get your own total for this coop.

Materials list

Coop and run together, in the units stores sell, each with the shelf price we read. Lumber lengths come from the cut list behind the plan.

Lumber$1,001.54

31x2, 8 ft1 in. x 2 in. x 8 ft. Furring Strip Board$4.62
34x4 pressure-treated (ground contact), 8 ft4 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. #2 Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine Wood Post$32.34
64x4 pressure-treated (ground contact), 10 ft4 in. x 4 in. x 10 ft. #2 Pressure-Treated Ground Contact Southern Pine Wood Post$99.48
44x4 pressure-treated (ground contact), 12 ft4 in. x 4 in. x 12 ft. #2 Pressure-Treated Ground Contact Southern Pine Timber$83.52
92x6 pressure-treated (ground contact), 8 ftWeatherShield 2 in. x 6 in. x 8 ft. No. 2 Prime Pressure-Treated Ground Contact Southern Pine Lumber$87.12
12x4 pressure-treated (ground contact), 8 ftWeatherShield 2 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. #2 Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine Lumber$4.88
12x4 pressure-treated (ground contact), 10 ftWeatherShield 2 in. x 4 in. x 10 ft. #2 Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine Lumber$8.38
12x4 pressure-treated (ground contact), 12 ftWeatherShield 2 in. x 4 in. x 12 ft. #2 Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine Lumber$10.08
12x4 pressure-treated (ground contact), 16 ftWeatherShield 2 in. x 4 in. x 16 ft. #2 Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine Lumber$14.78
212x4 framing lumber, 8 ft2 in. x 4 in. x 96 in. #2 Premium Grade KD-HT Stud$89.25
72x4 framing lumber, 10 ft2 in. x 4 in. x 10 ft. #2 Grade SPF Dimensional Lumber$51.52
22x4 framing lumber, 12 ft2 in. x 4 in. x 12 ft. #2 Premium Grade SPF Dimensional Lumber$17.68
162x4 framing lumber, 16 ft2 in. x 4 in. x 16 ft. #2 Grade SPF Dimensional Lumber$188.48
62x6 framing lumber, 8 ft2 in. x 6 in. x 8 ft. #2 Premium Grade SPF Dimensional Lumber$51.72
12x6 framing lumber, 10 ft2 in. x 6 in. x 10 ft. #2 Premium Grade SPF Dimensional Lumber$10.75
12x6 framing lumber, 12 ft2 in. x 6 in. x 12 ft. #2 Premium Grade SPF Dimensional Lumber$12.92
42x6 framing lumber, 16 ft2 in. x 6 in. x 16 ft. #2 Premium Grade SPF Dimensional Lumber$68.88
12x8 framing lumber, 8 ft2 in. x 8 in. x 8 ft. #2 Premium Grade Southern Yellow Pine Dimensional Lumber$10.25
21x4 exterior trim board, 8 ftPrimeLinx 1 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. Radiata Pine Finger Joint Primed Board$20.44
51x4 exterior trim board, 12 ftTrim Board Primed Finger-Joint (Common: 1 in. x 4 in. x 12 ft.; Actual: .719 in. x 3.5 in. x 144 in.)$81.15
11x4 exterior trim board, 16 ftCMPC 1 in. x 4 in. x 16 ft. Radiata Pine Finger Primed Softwood Boards$21.46
21x6 exterior trim board, 8 ft1 in. x 6 in. x 8 ft. Radiata Pine Finger Joint Primed Board$31.84

Sheets$639.06

2 sheets3/4" tongue-and-groove plywood subfloor, 4x8Plytanium 23/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Southern Pine Tongue and Groove Plywood Sheathing$100.94
8 sheetsPanel siding (T1-11 or engineered wood), 4x8Plytanium Plywood Siding Panel T1-11 8 IN OC (Nominal: 19/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft.)$374.24
1 sheetPanel siding for the gable ends, 4x8Plytanium Plywood Siding Panel T1-11 8 IN OC (Nominal: 19/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft.)$46.78
4 sheets7/16" OSB roof sheathing, 4x8OSB 7/16 Application as 4ft. X 8 ft. Sheathing Panel$54.52
2 piecesZ-flashing for the horizontal siding joints, 10 ft piecesUnion Corrugating 2.0-in x 0.63-in x 120.0-in Galvanized steel Z Flashing$6.96
2 sheets1/2" exterior plywood, 4x8, for the nest boxes, dropping board, pop door and rampPlytanium 15/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. 3-Ply RTD Sheathing$55.62

Roofing$401.02

3 bundlesAsphalt shingles, 3 bundles per squareGAF Timberline HDZ Cliffside Algae Resistant Architectural Roof Shingles (33.33-sq ft per Bundle)$155.94
1 bundleStarter strip shinglesGAF Pro-Start Black Starter Roof Shingles (120-lin ft per Bundle)$54.98
1 bundleHip and ridge cap shinglesGAF Seal-A-Ridge AS Class 4 Barkwood Algae Resistant Hip Ridge Roof Shingles (25-lin ft per Bundle)$57.78
1 rollSynthetic roof underlayment, 10-square rollTAMKO Synthetic Guard 42-in x 286-ft 905.67-sq ft Synthetic Roof Underlayment$108.00
4 piecesDrip edge, 10 ft piecesUnion Corrugating 2.38-in x 10-ft Silver Galvanized steel Drip Edge$24.32

Mesh$322.41

1 roll1/2" galvanized hardware cloth, 19 gauge, 24" x 100 ft rollAcorn Hardware 100-ft x 2-ft 19-Gauge Galvanized Hardware Cloth, 1/2 in mesh$162.43
1 roll1/2" galvanized hardware cloth, 19 gauge, 36" x 10 ft rollAcorn Hardware 10-ft x 3-ft 19-Gauge Galvanized Hardware Cloth, 1/2 in mesh$21.98
1 roll1/2" galvanized hardware cloth, 19 gauge, 48" x 100 ft rollAcorn Hardware 100-ft x 4-ft 19-Gauge Galvanized Hardware Cloth, 1/2 in mesh$138.00

Hardware and fasteners$1,476.76

9 boxesWasher-head screws, 1", for the meshTeks #10 x 1-in Zinc-plated Self-drilling Roofing Screws (hex washer head), 120-Count, 8 packs$114.88
2Hinges for the nest box lidNational Hardware 3-in Zinc plated Strap Interior/Exterior Door Hinge 2-Pack$4.78
2Two-step latches (raccoon-resistant)Everbilt 2 in. Zinc-Plated Safety Gate Hook (spring-loaded catch: press the catch, then lift the hook)$4.94
3Hinges for the person door, 3" exteriorNational Hardware 3-in Zinc plated Strap Interior/Exterior Door Hinge 2-Pack, 2 packs$9.56
1Two-step latch for the person doorEverbilt 2 in. Zinc-Plated Safety Gate Hook (spring-loaded catch: press the catch, then lift the hook)$2.47
1Barrel bolt, 3", for the pop doorRELIABILT 3-in Zinc Steel Barrel Bolt$4.98
1Screw eye, for the pop door cordHillman 0.135-in Zinc Steel Screw eye$1.98
1Cord for the pop door, 10 ftT.W. Evans Cordage 20-ft x 1/8-in Braided Nylon Rope$10.40
2Hinges for the ramp, 3" exteriorNational Hardware 3-in Zinc plated Strap Interior/Exterior Door Hinge 2-Pack$4.78
54Landscape staples, 6 in, for the apronGreenscapes 100-Pack 6-in Metal Multipurpose Landscape Stake$19.98
2Hinges for the run doorNational Hardware 3-in Zinc plated Strap Interior/Exterior Door Hinge 2-Pack$4.78
2Two-step latches for the run door (raccoon-resistant)Everbilt 2 in. Zinc-Plated Safety Gate Hook (spring-loaded catch: press the catch, then lift the hook)$4.94
14Joist hangers for 2x6 run roof purlinsSimpson Strong-Tie LUS 2-in x 6-in Single 18-Gauge G90 galvanized Face mount joist hanger$22.12
10 panelsCorrugated polycarbonate roof panels, Greca 76 profile, 26" x 12 ftSuntuf 2.2 ft. x 12 ft. Corrugated Polycarbonate Roof Panel in Clear$399.80
2 boxesRoofing screws for polycarbonate, 2", EPDM washerWoodtite 2 in. Hex-Head Wood Screw with EPDM washer (50-Pack), 4 packs$27.92
6Foam horizontal closure strips for the panel profile, 36"Suntuf 36 in. Horizontal White Foam Roof Closure Strips (5-Pack), 2 packs$21.10
1 tube100% silicone sealant, polycarbonate-safeGE Supreme Silicone 10.1-oz Window and Door Clear Silicone Caulk$13.48
140 nailsConnector nails for the hurricane ties, 0.131" x 2-1/2" galvanizedGrip-Rite 2-1/2 in. x 10-1/4-Gauge 8-penny Exterior Galvanized Smooth Shank Common Nails 1 lb. Box, 2 packs$17.10
12Plywood H-clips for 7/16" sheathingSimpson Strong-Tie PSCL 7/16 in. 20-Gauge Galvanized Panel Sheathing Clip (50-Qty)$12.22
144 screwsStrong-Drive SD connector screws, #10 x 1-1/2", for the post capsSimpson Strong-Tie #10 x 1-1/2 in. 1/4-Hex Drive, Strong-Drive SD Connector Screw (100-Pack), 2 packs$38.60
112 nails10d common nails, 3" hot-dip galvanized, for the joist hangersGrip-Rite 3-in 9-Gauge Hot-dipped galvanized Smooth Shank Common Nails, 62 per box (1 lb), 2 packs$15.96
2 boxesExterior screws, 1-5/8"Deck Plus #8 x 1-5/8-in Exterior Deck Screws, 147 per box, 2 packs$23.96
2 boxesExterior screws, 3"Everbilt #9 x 3 in. Tan Star Torx Drive Flat Head Wood Deck Screw (900-Pack)$24.88
1 pieceZ-flashing over the door and pop door heads, 10 ft piecesUnion Corrugating 2.0-in x 0.63-in x 120.0-in Galvanized steel Z Flashing$3.48
2 tubesExterior acrylic-latex caulk, paintable, 10.1 ozDAP Alex Plus 10.1 oz. White Acrylic Latex Caulk Plus Silicone$5.96
2Exterior primer, 1 gallonZinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 1 Gal. White Water-Based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer$59.96
3Exterior paint or solid stain, 1 gallonBEHR PREMIUM PLUS 1 gal. #52 White Satin Enamel Exterior Paint & Primer$149.94
10 lbFraming nails, 16d common, 3-1/2" x 0.162"Fas-n-Tite 3-1/2-in 8-Gauge Hot-dipped galvanized Common Nails, 223 per box (5 lb), 2 packs$53.96
4 lbToenail nails, 10d box, 3" x 0.128"Grip-Rite 3 in. x 10-1/2-Gauge 10-penny Exterior Galvanized Steel Box Nails 5 lb. Box$19.38
8 lbGalvanized siding nails, 2-1/2" (8d)Grip-Rite 2-1/2 in. x 11-1/2-Gauge 8-penny Exterior Galvanized Spiral Shank Siding Nails 5 lb. Box, 2 packs$37.74
3 lbRoof sheathing nails, 2-1/2" (8d)Grip-Rite 2-1/2 in. x 10-1/4-Gauge 8-penny Exterior Galvanized Smooth Shank Common Nails 5 lb. Box$26.98
1 lbExterior screws for the subfloor, 2"Grip-Rite #8 x 2 in. #2 Phillips Bugle Head Coarse Thread Coated Exterior Wood Screws 5 lb. Box$34.47
14Rafter-to-plate connectors (hurricane ties)Simpson Strong-Tie H2.5A 18-Gauge ZMAX Galvanized Hurricane Tie$13.72
3 lbRoofing nails, 1-1/4"Everbilt 1-1/4 in. x 3D Electro-Galvanized Non-Collated Roofing Nails 5 lbs. (1010-Count)$21.00
1 tubeConstruction adhesive (subfloor)Liquid Nails Subfloor and Deck 28 oz. Tan Low VOC Construction Adhesive$7.68
12Post-to-beam connectors for 4x4Simpson Strong-Tie BC 4-in x 4-in ZMAX Wood to wood Post base/cap$171.12
12Solid concrete pavers, one under each legPavestone 16-in L x 16-in W x 2-in H Square Concrete Patio stone$65.76

Build it in this order

  1. 01 Legs and floor. Set 12 legs on pavers, square the beams, screw hardware cloth under the joists, then glue and screw the floor.
  2. 02 Walls. Frame each wall flat, raise it, and check plumb and both diagonals.
  3. 03 Roof. Cut one pattern rafter at 6/12, test it, then set the rest with a hurricane tie at every plate.
  4. 04 Siding, doors and vents. Side the walls, hang the doors on two-step latches and screen every vent with hardware cloth.
  5. 05 Nests, roosts and pop door. Hang the nest boxes, drop the roost bars into their cradles and fit the pop door in its guides.
  6. 06 The run. Set the posts, add the rails, wrap the mesh outside the posts, then the roof and the apron.

The guide to building a chicken coop walks through each step. The builder's plan for this coop, every wall framed and every cut listed, run included, will be $29 once.

Get the builder's plan

Every wall framed and dimensioned, the cut list board by board, every plywood part on its sheet, the mesh cutting plan and the run, for this coop or any size you design. $29 once: open this coop in the designer, change what you like, and buy the plan from there.

Get the plan, $29

Questions people ask

An 8x8 walk-in coop with a run of at least 120 sq ft. That is the plan on this page: walls framed 72 in tall, three nest boxes, two roost bars and a hardware cloth run along one side, with every number checked against the extension sources.

12 hens need 3 nest boxes at our default of one box per 4 hens, with 3 as the least the sources accept (one per 5). Each box is 12" square inside, 18" off the floor, with a lip to hold the bedding. This plan builds 3.

Give 12 standard hens 8' of roost, 8 in each, and never less than 6'. This plan lays out 2 bars of 2x4 on the flat for 14' 10" in all, 24" above the floor and higher than the nest boxes.

At 10 sq ft per standard hen, 12 hens need 120 sq ft of run, and 48 sq ft is the least the sources accept. The plan's run is 8' x 15' (120 sq ft), 73-1/2" at the low end and 96" at the coop, meshed with 1/2 in hardware cloth and roofed against hawks and owls.

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