How to make the DIY chicken shed of your chook's dreams

Build a roomy chook house for your backyard hens. - by Greg Fahey

There’s nothing like keeping chooks in your backyard! Chickens are one of the best ways to achieve an eco-friendly garden and zero-waste household because they take all your kitchen scraps and give you tasty, fresh eggs in return.

Chickens also make great pets and are a fantastic way for kids to learn about caring for animals, and that eggs don’t just come from the carton you buy at the supermarket.

If you want to keep chickens, you'll need a home for them. You can buy coops and tractors or you can build your own DIY chicken shed.

Phil Aynsley

Every chook needs a coop and this one’s a beauty! There’s plenty of room for loads of hens and it has all the mod-cons a discerning chicken needs. Plus, a full-height coop makes cleaning much easier.

Position your coop in a shady spot so the chickens keep their cool, and don’t forget to name your shed and signpost it!

Phil Aynsley

Silkie chickens are ideal for a backyard coop. These particular ladies have been dyed as they’re in show business. They're part of a bird show run by entertainer Kris Stanley and perform at aged-care facilities.

Phil Aynsley

Recycled liquid drums make great nesting boxes, while a ramp is a necessity for the flightless Silkies.

If you want to build this full-size chicken shed, we've put all the step-by-step instructions and pictures on a project sheet to make the job easier for you. You'll also find a materials list and shopping details for supplies.

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PROJECT SHEET HERE

You might also like:

The chicken swing keeping chooks happy

Pet-friendly style hacks

How to make a chicken coop and run

Greg Fahey

Greg Fahey is a carpenter and licensed builder with over 30 years experience. Combine this with having owned a number of old homes in need of TLC, there aren’t a lot of DIY jobs that he hasn’t tried. When he’s not sharing his knowledge to a wide audience via BHG, he can be found at home with a tool in hand, taking on yet another DIY task.