Where to find chicken coops for sale
You can buy a chicken coop from farm supply stores, online retailers, local builders, and secondhand marketplaces. The best choice depends on whether you want to pick it up today, customize the size, or spend less money. Each route has different costs, delivery times, and quality levels.
Farm supply chains like Tractor Supply, Atwood's, and local feed stores stock ready-made coops year-round. Online retailers including Amazon, Wayfair, and specialty sites like Omlet and The Coop carry dozens of models with shipping to your door. Local carpenters and Amish builders can build custom coops to your exact measurements. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local farm groups often have used coops at half the new price.
Key Takeaways
- Farm supply stores let you see and touch the coop before buying, but stock is limited to their most popular sizes and styles.
- Online retailers offer the widest selection and often lower prices, but shipping costs can be high and delivery takes one to three weeks.
- Custom builders cost more upfront but let you choose materials, roof style, and run length to match your space and flock size.
- Used coops from local sellers cost 40 to 60 percent less than new ones and arrive when ready, but you cannot return them if they have hidden damage.
Farm supply stores and feed shops
Tractor Supply, Atwood's, Murdoch's, and independent feed stores carry coops in their seasonal section, usually from March through October. Prices range from $200 for a small two-bird coop to $800 for a large walk-in model. You can inspect the wood quality, test the door hinges, and check that all hardware is included before you pay.
The downside is limited selection. Most stores stock only three to five models at any time, and popular sizes sell out by late spring. If you need a coop wider than four feet or taller than six feet, you may not find it. Staff can usually order other models, but that takes one to two weeks and you lose the advantage of seeing it first.
Call ahead to confirm the store has the model in stock. Ask whether they offer assembly service — some stores will put it together for $50 to $150, which saves time if you do not have help at home.
Online retailers and specialty coop companies
Amazon, Wayfair, and Chewy stock dozens of coop models from $150 to $2,000, with customer reviews and photos from real buyers. Specialty sites like Omlet, The Coop, and Backyard Chickens focus only on poultry housing and often have detailed specifications and video tours of each model.
Shipping is the catch. A large coop can cost $100 to $400 to deliver, and it arrives in a box that requires assembly. Delivery takes seven to twenty-one days depending on your location and the retailer's warehouse. Some sites offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount, so compare the total cost, not just the coop price.
Read the reviews carefully. Look for comments about wood quality, whether hardware rusts, and how long assembly takes. Photos from verified buyers show you what the coop looks like after a few months of use, not just out of the box. Check the return policy — some retailers allow returns within thirty days, others do not accept returns on large items.
Custom builders and local carpenters
Amish builders, local carpenters, and small coop manufacturers in your area can build a coop to your exact specifications. You choose the footprint, roof style, ventilation, and materials. A custom coop costs $600 to $2,000 depending on size and wood type, and takes two to six weeks to build.
Find builders through local farm groups on Facebook, your county extension office, or by asking at feed stores. Ask for references and photos of past work. Request a written quote that lists the dimensions, materials (pine, cedar, or treated wood), and what hardware is included. Clarify whether the price includes delivery and assembly at your home.
Custom building makes sense if you have an unusual space, want a specific roof angle for snow load, or prefer materials like cedar that last longer than pine. It costs more than a factory coop, but you get exactly what you need and can often add features like a covered run or nesting box doors that open from outside.
Used coops from local sellers
Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local farm groups list used coops for $100 to $600, usually from people who upgraded or stopped keeping chickens. You can pick it up the same day and avoid shipping costs. A well-maintained used coop is often a better value than a new budget model.
Before you buy, visit in person and inspect the wood for rot, especially on the bottom boards and corners where moisture collects. Check that the door slides smoothly and the hinges are not rusted. Look inside for mold, mites, or old bedding that suggests poor ventilation. Ask the seller how long they used it, what they fed their birds, and whether they had any disease problems.
Ask the seller to help you load it or arrange delivery. Some will deliver for a small fee. Take photos of the coop from all angles before you leave, in case you discover damage later and want to contact the seller. Used coops usually come as-is with no return option, so be thorough in your inspection.
Comparing price and delivery time
| Source | Price Range | Delivery Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farm supply store | $200–$800 | Same day | Seeing it first, no shipping cost |
| Online retailer | $150–$2,000 | 7–21 days | Wide selection, customer reviews |
| Custom builder | $600–$2,000 | 2–6 weeks | Exact size and materials |
| Used local seller | $100–$600 | Same day | Budget-conscious, when ready pickup |
The cheapest option is usually a used coop from a local seller, assuming it is in good condition. The fastest option is a farm supply store or local pickup. The widest selection is online. The most customizable option is a local builder.
Factor in assembly time and cost. A $300 coop from a farm store may cost $50 more if you pay for assembly, but saves you four to six hours of work. A $200 online coop may have $150 in shipping plus four hours of assembly. A used $250 coop may need wood stain or repair before it is ready for birds.
What to check before you buy
Measure your space before you shop. Know the width, depth, and height you have available, and whether you need the coop to fit through a gate or shed door. Bring those measurements with you or have them ready when you browse online.
Check the coop size against your flock. A small coop rated for two to three birds is cramped for four birds and leads to stress and disease. A larger coop gives you room to add birds later without buying again. Most sources list the bird capacity — use that as a minimum, not a target.
Look at ventilation. The coop should have vents or windows on at least two sides to prevent moisture buildup in winter and heat in summer. Coops with solid wood walls and only a small door tend to get damp and stuffy.
Check whether the coop includes a run (the enclosed outdoor area) or just the sleeping box. Some coops are sleeping boxes only and require you to buy or build a separate run. Others include a run but it is small and your birds will need additional outdoor space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a coop in winter?
Farm supply stores stop stocking coops in November and do not reorder until February or March. Online retailers and custom builders work year-round, but shipping is slower in winter due to weather. If you need a coop before spring, order online or contact a local builder now.
What is the difference between a coop and a run?
A coop is the enclosed sleeping and nesting box where birds roost at night and lay eggs. A run is the fenced outdoor area where they scratch and forage during the day. Many coops for sale include both, but some are sleeping boxes only and require a separate run.
Is it cheaper to build my own coop?
Building from scratch costs $150 to $400 in materials if you already have tools and basic carpentry skills. A budget coop from a farm store costs $200 to $400 new. Building makes sense if you want a custom size or have specific materials in mind, but it takes ten to twenty hours of work.
What wood lasts longest in a chicken coop?
Cedar and redwood last five to ten years outdoors. Pine lasts three to five years. Treated wood lasts longer but some people avoid it around food animals. Ask sellers and builders what wood they use and whether they stain or seal it to extend its life.
Should I buy a used coop if I do not know the previous owner?
A used coop is safe if it looks clean, smells fresh, and has no visible mold or pest damage. Inspect it thoroughly in person before you buy. If you are concerned about disease, you can disinfect it with a bleach solution before you add birds, but most used coops are fine.