How To Set Up Your First Backyard Chicken Coop Under $200 (+ Free Plans)



Raising your own backyard chickens is one of the healthiest, most rewarding ways to enjoy fresh eggs, natural pest control, and a sustainable lifestyle—and it doesn’t have to be expensive. With smart planning, recycled materials, and simple tools, you can build a safe, functional chicken coop for under $200, even if you’re a complete beginner.

This guide walks you step-by-step through everything you need—plus free coop plans to get you started today.

🌱 Why Backyard Chickens Are a Healthy Choice

Keeping chickens isn’t just about eggs—it’s about better living:

  • 🥚 Fresh, nutrient-dense eggs (higher omega-3s & vitamins)

  • 🌿 Natural food recycling (kitchen scraps → protein)

  • 🐛 Fewer garden pests

  • ♻️ Sustainable & eco-friendly

  • 🧠 Stress-reducing & family-friendly

Best of all, you control what your chickens eat—no hormones, no mystery feed.

📏 Step 1: Decide the Right Size (Keep It Simple)

For beginners, start small.

Ideal beginner setup:

  • 3–4 chickens

  • 4 sq ft per chicken inside the coop

  • 8–10 sq ft per chicken in the run

👉 This keeps costs low and maintenance easy.

🛠️ Step 2: Budget Breakdown (Under $200)

Here’s how to keep costs affordable:

ItemEstimated Cost
Reclaimed wood / palletsFREE–$40
Hardware cloth (predator-proof)$40
Screws, nails, hinges$20
Roofing (tin or tarp)$20
Nesting boxes (DIY crates)FREE–$10
Roosting bars (scrap wood)FREE
Paint or sealant (optional)$20
Total$150–$200

💡 Check Facebook Marketplace, construction sites, and local farms for free materials.

🏗️ Step 3: Build a Simple Coop (Beginner-Friendly)

Basic Coop Must-Haves:

  • ✔️ Solid walls (wind & rain protection)

  • ✔️ Ventilation near the roof (not drafty)

  • ✔️ Raised floor (keeps coop dry & predator-safe)

  • ✔️ Lockable door (raccoons are smart!)

  • ✔️ Easy-clean design

🧰 You only need basic tools: hammer, drill, tape measure, and saw.

📐 FREE Chicken Coop Plans (Beginner Approved)

Look for:

  • Pallet coop plans

  • A-frame chicken coop

  • 4×4 backyard coop designs

  • Upcycled shed-style coops

These plans are easy to customize and perfect for keeping costs low.

🪵 Step 4: Healthy Coop Setup Inside

Keep your chickens happy and productive:

  • 🪺 Nesting boxes: 1 box per 3–4 hens

  • 🪜 Roosting bars: Higher than nesting boxes

  • 🌬️ Ventilation: Prevents respiratory illness

  • 🧼 Bedding: Pine shavings or straw (natural & absorbent)

Clean coop = healthier chickens = better eggs 🥚

🐓 Step 5: Add a Low-Cost Chicken Run

A run protects chickens while letting them roam safely.

Budget tips:

  • Use T-posts + chicken wire

  • Cover the top with netting

  • Bury wire 6–12 inches to stop digging predators

Or try chicken tractors (movable coops) for free-range benefits without fencing.

🍽️ Step 6: Feed Chickens the Healthy Way

To keep eggs nutritious:

  • High-quality layer feed

  • Kitchen scraps (veggie peels, grains)

  • Crushed eggshells (calcium boost)

  • Occasional greens & herbs

🚫 Avoid salty, sugary, or processed foods.

💡 Common Beginner Mistakes (Avoid These!)

  • ❌ Poor ventilation

  • ❌ Cheap chicken wire instead of hardware cloth

  • ❌ Overcrowding

  • ❌ Skipping predator locks

  • ❌ Placing coop directly on soil

Learning from these saves money—and chickens.


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