The Best Chicken Coops
Keeping backyard chickens is such a rewarding experience. Not only will you enjoy a rich supply of delicious and nutritious eggs, but you'll also be able to share your bounty with friends and family members. And, not to mention, chickens make wonderful pets. They eat garden pests, love to chow down on kitchen scraps, and are sweet, docile creatures. If you are thinking of getting backyard chickens, the first step is to get the right coop for your flock. Here, we've rounded up the best chicken coops available, grouped by category.
What to Look For
A good chicken coop should have a few important qualities. To start, it should offer your chickens enough room to be comfortable. Aside from being spacious, it’s important that it’s durable and weatherproof to last a long time. And as anyone with experience tending chickens already knows, the coop must keep out would-be predators effectively. With all of that informing our research, we gravitated towards a few coops that stood out from the competition. Aivituvin’s extra-large coop isn’t cheap, but it’s a magnificent choice for anyone who’s willing to invest in the long-term health and well-being of their chickens. But for folks who live in rougher climates, Petsfit’s coop is built to withstand all sorts of inclement weather. To learn more about the rest of our top picks, simply read on.
Aivituvin Extra-Large Chicken Coop
Flower of the flock
Big enough to comfortably hold two or three birds, this chicken coop is a great product pick if you need extra space for your chickens. It has various access doors and two ramps, along with two slide-out trays and high-quality latches that do an excellent job of keeping predators out. Plus, this coop is made from hardy waterproof materials, so it’ll hold up under inclement weather.
Pros:
- We appreciate the access doors, since reaching in and grabbing a chicken or two is much easier.
- With the barn-like style, this coop adds a little style to your animal yard. We never expected a chicken coop to look so nice and fancy.
- It has several latches to keep out predators.
Cons:
- If you have bunnies, they may nibble and wear down the wooden ramps.
Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop
Weather the storm
If you’re looking for a coop that can withstand the elements for some time to come, check out this one from Petsfit. Constructed with solid fir wood and topped with a rain-resistant asphalt roof, this coop is great for those living in regions prone to frequent stormy weather. Aside from the coop’s side nesting box and the internal housing area, we also appreciate the inclusion of lockable, solid-panel doors to ensure predators can’t get in.
Pros:
- The assembly is quick and straightforward. You can piece this thing together in less than half an hour.
- The enclosed sides help provide better protection for its inhabitants since wind and rain can’t permeate the high-quality fir materials.
Cons:
- It’s fairly small, so not ideal for those with a lot of animals.
Tangkula Wooden Chicken Coop
No need to walk on eggshells
If durability is your main concern, look no further than this chicken coop from Tangkula. It’s made from premium, heavy-duty natural fir and is waterproof and sun-resistant; the result of this construction is a coop that will last for years. Conveniently, this coop comes with a resting zone, a running area, and a ramp to facilitate all your chickens’ daily activities. The raised housing space helps to keep your hens nice and dry in rainy weather, and the removable bottom sliding tray allows for easy cleanup.
Pros:
- We were impressed by the quality of the fir wood which endures inclement weather and seasonal changes very well.
- The removable bottom sliding tray is super convenient when it’s time to clean up poop or change the litter.
Cons:
- It doesn’t include a nesting box for collecting eggs, so you’ll have to reach in and get them the old-fashioned way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors should I consider before buying a chicken coop?
Size is one of the most important factors—your chickens will be at their happiest and healthiest if they have proper room to roost and roam. Choose the most spacious coop possible, providing a bare minimum of three to four square feet per bird inside the coop (with more square footage inside the run). Make sure that they have plenty of roosting space and natural light, and that the coop is tall enough to provide ample air circulation and sturdy enough to protect your birds from potential predators.
How big should my chicken coop be?
Chickens must have plenty of room to roam, as overcrowding can lead to pecking injuries. Your coop should also be at least three to four feet tall, to help keep the temperature at a comfortable, humane level. Thus, the bigger, the better. When determining the best-sized coop, you’ll also want to consider how many nesting boxes you plan to add inside the coop, as well as how much space you’ll give your chickens outside of the coop (providing a chicken run or otherwise dedicated outdoor space for your chickens is incredibly important for their well-being).
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