If you’re looking for the best backyard chicken coop, you’ve come to the right place. There are so many different types of chicken coops on the market, and choosing the best one can be challenging. Generally, you want to look for a coop that is secure, sturdy, and can provide a comfortable home for your flock.
But, where should you start looking for the best coop, and what are your options? I’ve compiled a list of the top six chicken coops you can use for inspiration.
The Best Backyard Chicken Coop
Here are the six best small, medium, and large-sized backyard chicken coops ranked and reviewed:
The Best Small Backyard Chicken Coops
1. Omlet Go Up Portable Chicken Coop
- Size: 32 x 29 x 23 inches with 6 ft run
- Capacity: 2-3 small chickens
The Omlet Go Up chicken coop is small, functional, and portable. One of its main features is its untraditional design, and it’s becoming increasingly popular among new chicken keepers for very good reasons. It’s the best backyard chicken coop for small flocks, in my opinion.
This coop is portable and can be wheeled around your yard, making it perfect for anyone who rents or has to move the coop around frequently. It’s made of stainless steel and 100% recyclable UV stabilized plastic, so it’s secure and durable. It offers good weatherproof protection, although the small coop can heat up quickly if it is kept in direct sunlight.
I also love that it is easy to clean and maintain compared to wooden coops. You can effortlessly hose down the coop and dry it off with a towel or in the sun. This can shorten the cleaning process by hours.
If you don’t want the portable option, you can choose from three other options, including only the coop and run, the coop and wheels, or the only the coop.
You can find this coop on Amazon.
2. Best Choice Products Wooden Chicken Coop
- Size: 6 x 4 ft
- Capacity: 3 chickens
This multi-level chicken coop is perfect for beginners who want a small and functional coop. It’s made from 100% natural fir wood and galvanized mesh, making it secure and weatherproof. It has multiple access doors, which are great for cleaning and maintaining your flock.
My favorite feature would be the removable bottom sliding tray, which makes cleaning a breeze.
The mesh offers plenty of ventilation while also keeping your flock safe from predators.
The roof provides shade during warm sunny days and protection against light rain. There is only one large nesting box, but it comes with a removable divider for two laying hens. The coop does include locks, but there isn’t one for the nesting box, so you’ll need to add that to your chicken coop plans yourself.
I’d recommend only keeping 3 small chicken breeds in here due to the size of the coop.
You can find this coop on Amazon.
The Best Medium-Sized Backyard Chicken Coops
3. Formex SnapLock Snap Together Chicken Coop
- Size: 5 x 3.5
- Capacity: 4-8 chickens
This is perhaps one of the easiest chicken coops to assemble compared to many other coops on the market. It has a sturdy build, secure locks, and a durable plastic material that is easy to clean and maintain. It can comfortably house 4-6 full-sized chickens, and up to 8 bantams.
The material is water and UV resistant, making it ideal for various weather conditions. There are four nesting spots and ample ventilation points that can be adjusted. I also like that it has two removable trays for easy cleaning.
Plus, there are multiple doors for easy access, and each one has a secure lock, including a lock on the nesting box. The main downside is that the coop does not include a run, so you’ll need to buy one separately.
I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a sturdy and secure coop that requires no tools to assemble.
You can find this coop on Amazon.
4. PawHut Dual Wooden Chicken Coop
- Size: 6 x 6 ft
- Capacity: 6-8 chickens
This coop features a unique design with two hen houses and ramps leading into a spacious run. It’s made from natural fir wood that has been coated with weather-resistant paint, so it’s ideal for a variety of weather conditions.
This coop is most suitable for warm climates due to the breathable screen mesh and ample ventilation. There are two hen houses with space for up to two hens to lay in each box. Plus, the hen houses, doors, and run are secure with locks.
There are multiple access doors surrounding the coop for easy cleaning and maintenance. Each coop also has a slide-out tray that you can simply remove and clean without much hassle.
You can find this coop on Amazon.
The Best Large Backyard Chicken Coops
5. OverEZ Large Chicken Coop
- Size: 7.5 x 7.5 ft
- Capacity: 15 chickens
This is perhaps the best backyard chicken coop for large flocks. The OverEZ chicken coop features a large and spacious design that can house up to 15 bantams and 8-10 regular-sized chickens.
It’s durable and made from weather-resistant materials to be long-lasting. A run is not included, but this coop is compatible with an 8 ft walk-in run that can be bought separately.
There is a small door and ramp on the side of the coop so that a run can easily be attached.
My favorite feature would be the large door that allows you to walk inside for easy feeding, maintenance, and cleaning. The coop has two screened windows that can be opened and closed for ventilation. It also has air vents on each gable end to let air flow throughout the coop.
There are five secure nesting boxes along the front of the coop.
I like that this coop is suitable for both warm and cold climates. It’s designed with barrier sheathing to keep the coop cooler in the summer heat.
You can include this coop in your chicken coop plans and customize the run and features to your liking.
You can find this coop on Amazon.
6. Producer’s Pride Defender Extra-Large Chicken Coop
- Size: 7 x 6.6 ft
- Capacity: 18 chickens
This extra-large chicken coop has been designed to be both predator-proof and weather-resistant. The coop and spacious run are advertised to house up to 18 chickens, although personally I think 10-15 small to regular-sized chickens would be better.
It’s a complete setup with a large run, four nesting boxes, two roosting bars, and two steel floor trays for easy clean-out. The roof is made from asphalt shingles, which are waterproof and protect against the elements. There are multiple doors for easy access and maintenance.
I find this to be the best backyard chicken coop for areas with predators like hawks and eagles due to the strong steel powder-coated frame. The design offers excellent predator-proof protection all around.
You can find this coop on Tractor Supply C0.
Ready to Pick the Best Backyard Chicken Coop? Your Pet Chickens Will Thank You!
There are so many different types of coops to choose from that can fit you and your flock’s needs. Some of the coop-only options can be added to your chicken coop plans, while the complete setups with runs only need slight modifications. I hope that this list has helped you decide on the best backyard chicken coop for your flock.
My website is community supported. This page contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission. This never changes the cost to you. I only recommend items trusted and loved by myself and others in the world of Pet Chickens.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Backyard Chicken Coop, Chicken Coop Plans & Pet Chickens
Q. What makes the best backyard chicken coop for pet chickens?
A. Simply put, the best backyard chicken coop is secure, weatherproof, and easy to clean. Look for sturdy materials, good ventilation, and enough space for your flock to roam and roost comfortably.
Q. How many chickens can I keep in a backyard chicken coop?
A. At its core, the number depends on the coop size and breed. Most chicken coop plans recommend at least 2-3 square feet per chicken inside the coop and 8-10 square feet in the run for happy, healthy pet chickens.
Q. Are store-bought coops better than DIY chicken coop plans?
A. The short answer: it depends on your needs and skills. Store-bought coops are convenient and quick to set up, while DIY chicken coop plans let you customize features for your pet chickens and backyard.
Q. What features should I look for in chicken coop plans?
A. Think of it like this: the best chicken coop plans include predator-proofing, easy access for cleaning, proper ventilation, and enough nesting boxes and roosts for your flock.
Q. How do I keep my backyard chicken coop safe from predators?
A. The part no one talks about is the importance of strong locks and sturdy mesh. Choose a coop with secure doors, predator-proof wire, and consider burying wire skirt around the run for extra safety.
Q. Can I move my chicken coop around the backyard?
A. Yes! Portable coops, like the Omlet Go Up, are designed for easy moving. This helps keep your pet chickens on fresh grass and makes cleaning simpler.
Q. What’s the easiest chicken coop to clean?
A. Simply put, plastic coops or those with removable trays are the easiest to clean. Look for chicken coop plans or ready-made coops with slide-out trays and wide doors for stress-free maintenance.
