If you are thinking about building your own coop, there are a few things you will need to buy. Obviously every coop project is different from the next, but there are some basics that you should think about as you do your planning and budgeting.
Since this is a DIY venture, there are tools that you will need. If you have tackled other DIY projects in the past, there is a good chance you already have these tools in your garage or workshop. If not, think about new tool purchases as an investment. Or if you are lucky enough to have a friend who is a carpenter, perhaps you will be able to borrow tools for your project.
DIY Chicken Coops does not sell tools, but you will be able to find everything you need at your local hardware store or home store.
The tools we typically use in our chicken coop projects include:
- Tape measure: to ensure your lumber is cut to the correct lengths
- Carpenter’s level: to ensure your coop beams are level
- Carpenter’s square: to help you draw perpendicular cut lines
- Power hand drill: to drill pilot holes, create countersinks and screw in screws
- Compound miter saw: to make perpendicular and angled cuts
- Hand-held circular saw: to cut plywood
- Wire cutters: to cut chicken wire
In addition to tools, you will need the raw materials for your coop. The exact materials will depend on your design, but here are a few items to consider for your project:
- Lumber: 1×2’s, 2×2’s, 1×4’s, 2×4’s, 2×6’s, 4×4’s, etc., for framing
- Plywood: for sides, roof, floors and nesting boxes (½” or ¾” thick)
- Wood dowel: for a roost (½” or ¾” diameter)
- Chicken wire: to keep chickens in and predators out (galvanized)
- Wood screws: for assembly (galvanized)
- Nails: for roof shingles
- Shingles: to protect your roof and chickens from rain
- Door hinges: for access panels, doors and shutters (galvanized)
- Slide bolts: for keeping doors closed (galvanized)
- Exterior primer and paint: for sealing lumber and making your coop attractive
- Exterior wood stain: to use in place of primer and paint for more traditional look
If you decide to build your own chicken coop, please take a look at the chicken coop plans that we offer. Each of our DIY plans includes a more detailed shopping list that you can take with you to the store to ensure you purchase the correct tools, lumber and hardware for your project. And, if you decide against the full DIY approach, you may want to take a peak at our chicken coop kits, which make the process much easier on you.
