If you are looking for small yard chicken coop ideas, you’ve come to the right place! Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a lot of land and space to raise chickens. You can fit a chicken coop in small backyards with ease if you find the right design and house the appropriate number of chickens inside.
Can You Keep a Chicken Coop in Small Backyard?
Yes, it is possible to keep a chicken coop in small backyard, and it’s relatively common for people with limited space on their property. Although you might assume that you need spacious farmland or a huge backyard to do so, your dreams of becoming a chicken keeper might come true earlier than expected. In fact, some keepers even manage to house their chickens on balconies!
There are endless coop shapes and sizes that can fit in small yards, without taking up too much unnecessary space. The only downside is that there is a limit to how many chickens you can keep inside it, but you probably won’t mind that if it means you still have the opportunity to raise a small flock.
Most small yard chicken coop ideas are suitable for small to medium-sized chicken breeds like the Serama, Silkie, Wyandotte, Nankin Bantam, and Buff Orpington.
If you prefer larger breeds, a small chicken coop probably won’t be the best option for you. Chickens need space to roam and move comfortably, and they don’t like to feel cramped.
5 Small Yard Chicken Coop Ideas
Don’t let your small yard discourage you from becoming a chicken keeper.
Here are the top 5 small yard chicken coop ideas to use for inspiration:
1. Lady Goat’s Small Planter Chicken Coop
- Dimensions: 5 × 4 ft
- Capacity: 3 chickens
This is the perfect small and cute chicken coop that can house up to 3 hens. It features a planter box, mini run, and cozy nesting boxes. The coop’s design was inspired by William’s-Sonoma Cedar Coop and can be DIYed at a more affordable cost. The instructions to build the coop are available on Lady Goat’s and Ana White’s websites.
I find this to be one of the most convenient small chicken coops to build, and the in-depth instructions are easy to follow.
Its compact size makes it perfect for small yards, and the design is pleasing to the eye. The planter box is ideal for growing safe herbs for chickens like parsley, thyme, and oregano.
You can paint the coop any color of your choice, so there is a lot of versatility with the design. Although a beginner could try to DIY this coop, it would be a much smoother building process if someone with decent woodworking skills did it instead.
The 25 square foot run is on the smaller side, but you could always just extend another run to give your flock more space to explore.
Other great functionalities that I love about this chicken coop include built-in roosts, a nesting box with a door for easy access, and a clean-out tray that makes cleaning a breeze.
Due to its small size, this coop is only suitable for small chicken breeds like Silkies and Nankin Bantam, rather than medium-sized breeds.
2. Robb’s Backyard Chicken Coop
- Dimensions: 6 × 7 ft
- Capacity: 5 chickens
This is one of the more popular chicken coop plans from the Instructables website. Robb was inspired to make this coop after seeing some Kansas barns, and it only cost him about $40 in total to make. It also happens to be one of my personal favorites, and I like that the run is more spacious than many other small yard chicken coop plans.
Robb followed the 10 square feet per bird rule, so you can house about 3 to 5 hens in it. It’s ideal for both small and medium-sized breeds.
There is a lot of versatility in this design, and you can customize the color, doors, and other features to your liking. It is also quite secure against predators, and Robb built it 18 inches off the ground to provide a shady area under the coop.
It’s not very complicated to make once you have the right materials and decent DIY skills. Robb found most of the materials second-hand, and you can too, making it ideal for those on a tight budget.
It includes framed nest boxes the size of a 12-inch dustpan, which works great when cleaning the coop.
Over the years, Robb has made small changes to the original design. He removed the storage area to add a roost in its place and the small pen to make space for a larger run.
3. Home Depot Small Chicken Coop Plans
- Dimensions: 3 × 4 ft
- Capacity: 3 chickens
Did you know that Home Depot has chicken coop plans that are perfect for small yards? And the best part is that they are free!
Home Depot’s detailed video shows you the step-by-step process you can follow to create this adorable small yard chicken coop.
All you need is plywood, utility hinges, exterior paint, and a metal roof panel to get started. Of course, most of these materials are available at Home Depot, but you could probably source them second-hand or at other hardware stores too.
The coop has two nesting boxes that can be removed for cleaning, a rear door to make egg collection easy, and a front door that also functions as the ramp for chickens. The main downside to this specific design is that it needs more ventilation and better predator-proofing. But you can use this design for inspiration and customize it to make it more functional as a chicken coop.
Although the video suggests it can house up to 4 chickens, the space is better suited for 2-3 small chickens at most. However, you can extend the size and add a large run to make it suitable for a larger flock.
Home Depot also has other DIY chicken coop plans available on their YouTube channel that you can use for inspiration.
4. The South City Coop
- Dimensions: 6 × 3 ft
- Capacity: 5 chickens
The South City chicken coop is perfect for those looking to save on horizontal space. This DIY coop is narrow and built like a wardrobe. It can be set up to align with your home’s exterior wall, and it looks neat and compact.
The size is ideal for up to 5 chickens, provided that you build a run around the coop for extra roaming space. You can find additional pictures of the coop with the run attached on the website.
I love that it has lots of interior and exterior features like multiple ventilation points, windows, nest boxes, and large doors that allow for easy access. The creator had limited space to work with and used the available space creatively with this coop design.
It also offers good protection against predators, which is very important to consider when designing chicken coops.
With a run included, this coop can house up to 5 small to medium-sized chicken breeds.
5. Small Chicken Coop with Integrated Nesting Boxes
- Capacity: 6 chickens
If you are an experienced DIYer, then this small yard chicken coop will be a good idea for you. All the instructions and materials you need to build this coop are included in the video.
It includes two integrated nesting boxes, a main door, a roost, and vinyl flooring. The coop is fully insulated, making it a good choice for colder climates. I like how secure the coop is once the run is attached, and there is plenty of space for up to five chickens. Compared to the other coop ideas in this article, this one is the most secure.
Another creative inclusion for this coop is the feature that allows you to open the door from the side; it’s hassle-free for anyone who doesn’t want to open the door from inside the run. The size of the coop and run can be customized, although this size is preferred if you plan to house six chickens.
There is a shady area under the coop for those warm sunny days, and its elevated design adds an additional layer of protection against burrowing predators.
If you want, you could paint the coop to match your preferred aesthetic. Just make sure the paint is non-toxic and safe to use around chickens.
Ready to Build Your Perfect Small Yard Chicken Coop?
If you’ve been dreaming of keeping chickens, but have limited yard space, a chicken coop in small backyard is still possible. I hope that these top 5 small yard chicken coop ideas have given you inspiration for your chicken coop and that you can live out your chicken keeping dream despite the limited space.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Small Yard Chicken Coops
Q. Can I really keep a small yard chicken coop in my tiny backyard?
A. Simply put, yes—a small yard chicken coop can fit in most backyards, even if space is tight. With the right design, you can comfortably house a few pet chickens and still have room to enjoy your outdoor space.
Q. How many chickens can I keep in a chicken coop in a small backyard?
A. At its core, the number depends on your coop size and local regulations. Most small yard chicken coops comfortably fit 2–5 chickens, especially if you choose smaller breeds like Silkies or Nankin Bantams.
Q. What chicken breeds are best for a small yard chicken coop?
A. Think of it like this: smaller breeds such as Serama, Silkie, Wyandotte, and Nankin Bantam are ideal for a chicken coop in a small backyard. They need less space and are generally more docile as pet chickens.
Q. How do I keep my small yard chicken coop safe from predators?
A. The short answer is: build secure fencing, use predator-proof latches, and consider raising your coop off the ground. Even in small backyards, safety is key for happy, healthy pet chickens.
Q. Are small yard chicken coops hard to clean?
A. Not at all! Many small chicken coop designs include features like clean-out trays and easy-access doors, making cleaning quick and simple—even in tight spaces.
Q. Can I build a chicken coop in a small backyard myself, or do I need to hire someone?
A. Simply put, most small yard chicken coops are DIY-friendly. With basic tools and some patience, you can build your own coop. But if you want a pro finish or unique features, hiring help is always an option.
Q. What’s the biggest mistake people make with a chicken coop in a small backyard?
A. Here’s where most new keepers miss out: overcrowding. Chickens need space to stay healthy and happy, so don’t try to squeeze in too many. Plan for comfort, not just capacity, and your pet chickens will thrive!
