Chicken coop prices range from $150 to $5,000 depending on size, materials, and whether you build or buy
A basic ready-made coop for three to four chickens costs between $150 and $400. A larger coop that houses eight to ten birds runs $400 to $1,200. If you want a walk-in coop where you can stand upright, expect $1,500 to $5,000 or more. The price jumps when you add features like automatic doors, insulated walls, or a covered run attached to the coop.
Building your own coop from plans costs less upfront—usually $100 to $800 in materials—but requires time, tools, and carpentry skill. Buying a finished coop saves labor but costs more per square foot. The real cost depends on three things: how many chickens you want to house, what materials you choose, and whether you need the coop to survive harsh winters or just provide summer shelter.
Key Takeaways
- Small ready-made coops for three to four chickens cost $150 to $400, while larger models for eight to ten birds run $400 to $1,200.
- Walk-in coops that let you stand inside and move around cost $1,500 to $5,000 because they require more wood, hardware, and labor.
- Building a coop yourself from plans costs $100 to $800 in materials but requires carpentry tools and several weekends of work.
- Insulation, automatic doors, predator-proof runs, and roofed enclosures all add $200 to $1,500 to the base price.
- Prices vary by region and retailer; coops sold at farm supply stores often cost more than the same model ordered online.
Small coops for three to four chickens
A small coop designed for a backyard flock of three to four birds typically measures 4 feet by 4 feet or 4 feet by 6 feet. These coops cost $150 to $400 new. They usually include a nesting box for laying, a roosting bar, and a small attached run where chickens can peck and dust-bathe without leaving your yard.
At this price point, expect plastic or thin wood construction. The roof may be corrugated plastic or asphalt shingles. These coops work well if you live in a mild climate and can move the coop weekly to fresh grass. They are light enough to drag by hand. However, they offer little protection against determined predators like raccoons or foxes, and they do not insulate well if winter temperatures drop below freezing.
Popular models in this range include the Omlet Eglu Cube (around $300), the Prevue Henhouse (around $200), and various generic coops sold at Tractor Supply or Amazon. Read reviews about how long the plastic or wood lasts before needing replacement—some owners report cracks or rot within two to three years.
Medium coops for six to ten chickens
A medium coop houses six to ten birds and typically measures 6 feet by 8 feet or 8 feet by 10 feet. These cost $400 to $1,200. They are usually made of thicker wood (often pine or cedar), have a solid roof, and include multiple nesting boxes and roosting bars. Many come with a covered run attached, so chickens stay dry and protected while outside.
At this price, the coop is heavy enough that you will not move it weekly—it stays in one spot. The wood is thicker and more durable than small coops, though still not rot-proof without regular maintenance. The run is usually covered with hardware cloth (a metal mesh) to keep out raccoons and hawks. Some models include a door you can close at night and open in the morning by hand.
Examples include the Precision Pet Products coops (around $600 to $800) and the Backyard Discovery coops (around $500 to $900). Cedar models cost more but last longer than pine. If you live where winters are cold, look for coops with solid walls and ventilation that does not create drafts—a common problem in cheaper models.
Walk-in coops and large setups
A walk-in coop is large enough for you to stand inside and move around. These typically measure 8 feet by 12 feet or larger and cost $1,500 to $5,000 or more. You can house 15 to 30 chickens in a walk-in coop, depending on the size. The main advantage is that you can clean, collect eggs, and check on birds without crouching or reaching through small doors.
Walk-in coops are built from sturdy wood (usually pressure-treated or cedar) and have a full roof, solid walls, and large windows or screened vents for airflow. Many include a separate enclosed run where chickens can move freely without access to the outside. The cost is high because the structure requires more materials, more hardware, and often professional assembly or construction.
Some people build walk-in coops themselves using plans from websites like BackyardChickens.com or books like "The Backyard Chicken Bible." Doing this yourself can cut the cost in half, but you need a drill, saw, level, and several weekends. If you hire a carpenter or contractor to build it, labor can add $500 to $2,000 to the material cost.
Cost of building your own coop
If you have basic carpentry skills and access to tools, building a coop from plans costs $100 to $800 in materials. A small coop for four birds might need 20 to 30 board feet of wood, hardware cloth, hinges, a door latch, and roofing material—roughly $150 to $300 in supplies. A larger coop for eight to ten birds costs $400 to $600 in materials.
The main savings come from labor. You are doing the work instead of paying a manufacturer or contractor. The main costs are lumber (usually $50 to $200), hardware cloth and screening ($30 to $100), roofing material ($40 to $150), and hardware like hinges and latches ($20 to $50). Prices vary by region and by what you already have on hand—if you own a drill and saw, you save the cost of renting or buying tools.
Plans are available free on websites like BackyardChickens.com and Instructables, or for $10 to $30 from sites like Etsy. Before you start, make sure you have a level place to build, access to a saw (a hand saw works but takes longer), and time to spend on weekends. Many first-time builders underestimate how long assembly takes—a small coop usually takes 8 to 12 hours spread over two to three days.
Features that add to the price
Several upgrades increase the cost of a coop. An automatic door that opens and closes on a timer costs $100 to $300 and saves you from opening and closing the coop by hand every day. Insulation (foam board or straw in the walls) adds $100 to $400 and helps chickens survive freezing winters, though it also traps moisture if ventilation is poor. A covered run that extends from the coop adds $200 to $800 depending on size.
Predator-proof hardware like heavy-gauge hardware cloth and buried fencing costs $100 to $300 but is worth it if you have raccoons, foxes, or hawks in your area. Roofing material (shingles instead of plastic) adds $50 to $200 and lasts longer. Cedar wood instead of pine costs 30 to 50 percent more but resists rot for 10 to 15 years instead of 5 to 8 years.
If you live in a cold climate, budget for insulation and a solid roof. If you live where predators are common, budget for hardware cloth and a covered run. If you want to spend minimal time on maintenance, budget for an automatic door and cedar wood. Trying to save money on all three usually means replacing the coop in five years instead of ten.
Where to buy and price variation
Chicken coops are sold at farm supply stores (Tractor Supply, Atwood's, local feed stores), online retailers (Amazon, Wayfair, Chewy), and specialty sites (Omlet, Backyard Discovery, Precision Pet Products). Prices vary by 10 to 30 percent depending on where you shop. Farm supply stores often charge more than online retailers for the same model, but you can see the coop in person and pick it up the same day instead of waiting for shipping.
Shipping costs add $50 to $300 depending on the coop size and your location. A small coop might ship for $50 to $100, while a large one can cost $200 to $400. Some retailers offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount. If you live far from a farm supply store, online shopping may be cheaper even with shipping. If you live close to one, comparing prices before you buy can save $100 or more.
Used coops are sometimes available on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local farm groups. A used coop in good condition costs 30 to 50 percent less than new. However, inspect it carefully for rot, cracks, and predator damage before buying. A coop that looks cheap because it is damaged will cost you chickens to predators or disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to spend $1,500 or more to get a good coop?
No. A $300 to $500 coop works well if you have three to six chickens, live in a mild climate, and can check on them daily. Spend more if you have many chickens, live where winters are harsh, or want features like automatic doors. The best coop is one you will actually use and maintain, not the most expensive one.
Is cedar wood worth the extra cost?
Cedar lasts 10 to 15 years without rot, while pine lasts 5 to 8 years. If you plan to keep chickens for more than five years, cedar saves money in the long run because you will not need to replace the coop. If you are trying it for the first time, pine is fine—you can always upgrade later.
Can I save money by building a coop myself if I have no carpentry experience?
You can, but expect to spend more time and possibly more money on mistakes. Buy detailed plans (not free sketches), watch video tutorials, and start with a small coop design. Many first-timers spend $400 to $600 in materials and 20 to 30 hours of labor—which works out to about the same cost as buying a finished coop when you count your time.
What is the cheapest way to house chickens?
A mobile coop (a small coop on wheels that you move daily) costs $150 to $300 and requires no permanent structure or foundation. You move it to fresh grass each morning, which reduces predator risk and keeps the ground clean. This works if you have time to move it daily and neighbors who do not mind the work.
Do I need a run attached to the coop, or can chickens just roam free?
Free-ranging chickens (letting them roam your yard) saves the cost of a run but exposes them to predators and lets them destroy gardens. A run costs $200 to $800 but keeps chickens safe and contained. Most backyard chicken owners use a run during the day and lock chickens in the coop at night.