Some people collect stamps. Others knit sweaters for dogs. Then there’s you, thinking about where to house a bunch of fluffy hens. Not weird at all. Chickens, oddly enough, are the new therapy dogs. Quieter, eggier.
Backyard chickens aren’t just for folks on farms anymore. These days, you’ll find hens scratching in yards smaller than a downtown parking spot. And that’s where the small coop comes in. Functional, cute, and just big enough to stop your chickens from staging a tiny protest.
Here’s ten ideas for chicken coops that’ll fit neatly in your backyard and won’t make your neighbors start whispering.
1. The “Cabin in the Woods” Coop
Alright, maybe not the woods—more like a patch of grass behind the garage. But picture this: a mini log cabin for chickens. Wooden slats, a sloped tin roof, maybe even a teeny porch. Cozy, rustic, and definitely Instagram-worthy.
Use cedarwood if you can swing it—it smells nice and bugs don’t love it. Throw in a tiny window with shutters. Not for the hens really, but for your own joy. Make it a proper little retreat where chickens can sip their metaphorical tea and gossip about worms.
Bonus points if you name it something cheeky. “Cluckingham Palace” works. So does “Eggstone Cottage.”
2. The Upcycled Coop
You know that old dresser sitting in the garage since 2003? Yep. Chickens don’t care if their house used to hold socks. Convert it.
Turn drawers into nesting boxes. Cut a hole in the back, slap on some chicken wire, and boom—ventilation. Use old pallets for a frame, or even a retired doghouse. Chickens aren’t picky, they just want dry feet and snacks.
Upcycled coops have character. Like, real weird-little-house energy. Which is kinda adorable, honestly.
Don’t worry if it looks like a chicken lived there before you even built it. That’s half the charm.
3. The Mobile Chicken Tractor
No, it doesn’t have wheels like a monster truck. But it does move, and that’s kinda cool.
A chicken tractor is a lightweight coop with no floor. You pick it up (or roll it, if you’re fancy), move it to fresh grass, and boom—instant new salad bar for your hens. Keeps the yard fertilized too. Chicken poop is surprisingly powerful stuff.
Best for 2–4 chickens. Anymore and you’ll need a gym membership just to move it.
Don’t skip the wheels if you’ve got a lawn the size of a small planet. Your back will thank you. Or curse you. One of the two.
4. The Coop & Garden Combo
If chickens and plants were in high school, they’d be lab partners. Or dating. They work that well together.
Build a raised bed garden with a coop built into one end. Your chickens hang out in the coop, scratch around, make fertilizer. The garden thrives. It’s like a self-sustaining little ecosystem, minus the apocalypse.
Just make sure the coop’s secure. Chickens will absolutely eat your lettuce if given a chance. They have no morals.
Use hardware cloth, not chicken wire, unless you want raccoons thinking it’s an open buffet.
5. The High-Rise Henhouse
Tiny yard? Go up, not out.
Think of it like a chic little chicken condo. Nesting boxes up top, run underneath. Add a little ladder or ramp (watch your step, ladies). Great for small spaces or yards where you’re also trying to grow a tomato or two.
Elevated coops stay dry, ventilate better, and are easier to clean. Also, it’s weirdly satisfying watching a chicken walk down a ramp like she owns the world.
Add a little rainwater catch system on the side. Because why not. You’re already halfway to becoming the person who composts egg shells in their sleep.
6. The “See-Through” Coop
Alright, hear me out. Plexiglass.
Not the whole coop, that’d be cruel and hot. But a portion—like one wall or a window—can be clear. Lets in light, keeps predators out. And it gives you a front-row seat to the chicken drama. Believe me, there’s drama.
You’d be surprised how fast they sort out a pecking order. It’s like a very slow reality show.
Just make sure they’ve got shade too. Chickens don’t love sunbathing unless it involves dirt and flapping. Transparent walls are more for you than them. But it’s a cool touch.
Also, you might end up naming one after a Kardashian. It happens.
7. The Recycled Greenhouse Coop
Old greenhouse sitting around? Or got one on sale because a storm blew the roof off? Boom—future chicken home.
Greenhouses keep heat in, which is nice for cold climates. Add vents or shade cloths for warmer weather, and you’ve got a year-round cozy spot.
Your hens will appreciate the sunshine in winter. And you’ll appreciate not scraping frozen eggs out of a drafty box.
Line the walls with straw bales if it gets real cold. They insulate, and the chickens like pecking at them. Win-win.
Just don’t forget to secure the bottom. Predators will dig if they smell something tasty—and your chickens are, unfortunately, delicious.
8. The Tiny A-Frame Coop
Classic. Simple. Looks like a chicken tent. Or maybe like something two teenagers would build at summer camp if they were very into poultry.
An A-frame coop is great for 2–3 chickens. Easy to move, easy to build, and kind of cute in a lopsided way.
You can add a door that lifts open for egg collecting, and make one half for sleeping, the other for scratching. Slap on some wheels if you’re ambitious. Or just drag it across the lawn like you’re hauling a stubborn sled.
Paint it barn red or leave it rough and rustic. Either way, it’ll look like you know what you’re doing, even if you absolutely don’t.
9. The Secret Coop
Not, like, government secrets. More like “hidden behind the hydrangeas” type secret.
This one blends in. Tucked under a tree. Disguised as a shed. Maybe even built into an old playhouse the kids outgrew five years ago.
Neighbors won’t even notice you’ve got livestock. Unless a rooster slips in somehow, and then—well, good luck.
Use natural wood tones, climbing vines, or even an old fence gate to make it blend into your landscape. It’s basically a chicken coop wearing camouflage.
Perfect if you’ve got HOA rules or just like a bit of stealth with your poultry.
10. The Chicken Chalet
If you’ve ever looked at your coop plans and thought, “This needs a balcony,” this one’s for you.
Two stories. Painted white, with little flower boxes under the windows. Maybe even a curved roof like an alpine lodge. Chickens don’t care, but you will. You’ll care deeply. Possibly too much.
This is more about joy than practicality. But still—make it functional. Ventilation, easy access to clean, predator-proofing. All that good stuff.
Throw in a swing. Yes, they make chicken swings. And yes, they do use them, if they’re feeling fancy.
You’ll walk out there with your coffee one morning, see three chickens chilling on a swing like it’s a lazy Sunday, and question everything you thought you knew about birds.
11. The Hobbit Hole Coop
Yes. A literal little round-doored chicken house. Dug partially into the ground, covered with grass or sod on the top. Think Tolkien but feathery. A cozy, earthy burrow for your hens to feel snug in.
Chickens naturally like shelter that feels enclosed. Like a cave, but make it chicken-safe. Cooler in summer, warmer in winter. Plus, it makes your backyard look like part of a fantasy novel.
Add a tiny curved wooden door, maybe a mossy rock or two. If a hen emerges smoking a pipe and speaking Elvish, do not panic.
12. The Rooftop Coop
Got a flat garage roof? A big shed with dead space on top? Use it. Chickens don’t mind a bit of elevation—as long as you can haul feed up there without cursing your entire life.
A rooftop coop saves space, adds height (which looks kinda cool), and gives chickens a breezy view. Like a penthouse. For birds. Who poop a lot.
Make sure it’s well-anchored and fenced in. You don’t want your chickens taking up paragliding on windy days.
Also, build a decent ladder or ramp for you. Because climbing up there every day in socks with an egg basket is how regrets happen.
13. The Book Nook Coop
Old bookcases. Everyone’s got one. Or five. Line ‘em up, reinforce the shelves, and boom—vertical nesting boxes. Chickens will actually love roosting in what used to hold your college philosophy textbooks.
Add some curtains made of old tea towels. Chickens like privacy when laying, don’t ask why. A little mystery is good for them.
Paint the whole thing like a tiny library if you’re feeling extra. Bonus points if you give the coop a name like “The Henlightenment.”
Just don’t leave any real books in there. Chickens can’t read. Yet.
14. The Camper Coop
Find an old pop-up camper or tiny trailer. Gut it. Reinvent it. Now it’s a mobile chicken home, complete with windows, a door, and maybe even a mini curtain or two.
Chickens in a camper? Yes. It’s a vibe.
You can tow it to new spots in the yard—or even take your chickens camping if you’re one of those people. (No judgement.)
Use the interior cabinets for feed storage, and keep the back hatch open for airflow. Add a “Cluck & Roll” sticker. Live your weird chicken dreams.
15. The Solar Coop
High-tech meets henhouse. Solar panels on top power a tiny fan for airflow, maybe a motion light, maybe even a timed door. Who says your chickens can’t have gadgets?
Great for places with hot summers. Chickens don’t love heat. They like shade and cold watermelon slices and gossiping in cool corners.
A small solar fan keeps things bearable. You’ll feel smug, your birds stay comfy, and your electric bill stays the same. It’s a triple win.
Also: chickens under solar panels just feels like a TED Talk waiting to happen.
16. The Bike-Pulled Coop
Got an old bike trailer? Or a cargo bike you only used that one time? Welcome to the pedal-powered poultry wagon.
Strip it down, build a light frame with chicken wire, add a simple shelter, and boom—a rolling coop you can tow behind your bike.
Take your hens for a spin around the yard. They’ll get fresh grass, sunshine, and maybe develop motion sickness (just kidding… probably).
Ideal for folks with limited space who wanna rotate their flock daily. Or just enjoy being that neighbor.
17. The Mirror Coop
Okay, this one’s more artsy. Not for everyone. But wild.
Line the outside of your coop with old mirrors. Reclaimed ones. Thrift store rejects. Or just broken ones in mosaic style. Chickens don’t really recognize themselves (they think it’s another chicken), but they’ll be wildly entertained.
It’ll look eccentric and beautiful. Reflect the garden, the sky, the birds themselves. It can even help ward off some predators—flashy reflections sometimes confuse ‘em.
Just don’t go overboard. You want quirky, not “witch portal.”
18. The Shipping Crate Coop
Those big wooden crates used for shipping engines or motorcycles? Pure gold for DIY coop builders. Strong. Chunky. Already box-shaped.
Cut in a few ventilation holes, add a door, hinge a panel for egg collection, and you’ve got a bunker-style henhouse that looks kinda post-apocalyptic, in a good way.
Chickens will love it. You’ll feel like a survivalist prepping for the Great Egg Collapse. Win-win.
Paint it black and give it a name like “The Egg Vault” or “Chicken Bunker 9.” Lean into the aesthetic.
19. The Deck Coop
Build a coop under your deck. That dead space where spiders usually rule? Perfect.
Shade in summer. Dry in rain. Close to the house, so you can peek out during dinner and wave at your birds. (We all do it. It’s fine.)
Add a few ramps and roost bars. Make sure it’s secure—raccoons live under decks too, and they do not play fair.
Low effort, high value. Especially if your yard’s small and your deck’s already kinda an eyesore. Turn it into prime real estate.
20. The Painted Palace
Let’s end with some chaos: a coop covered in paint, doodles, poems, stickers, handprints. Art coop.
The actual shape doesn’t matter here. Could be a shed, a box, a hodgepodge of found wood. The style is what counts.
Let the kids paint it. Or your weird arty friend who wears scarves in July. Just make it loud and joyful.
Put a mural of a chicken riding a dragon. Or paint each nesting box like a tiny bedroom. Make it yours. Chickens don’t care, but it’ll bring a grin to your face every time you pass by.
And that’s enough reason to do it.
A Few Final Tips ‘Cause Why Not:
Ventilation is non-negotiable. Stuffy coops are bad news. Chickens can handle cold better than heat, weirdly enough.
Predators are smarter than you think. Raccoons can open latches. Foxes can dig. Your coop needs to be Fort Knox with feathers.
Straw or sand? Depends who you ask. Sand is easy to clean. Straw smells nice. Chickens will poop on both. No escaping that.
Keep water elevated, so they don’t kick bedding into it. Chickens are not clean roommates.
Oh—and check the local laws. Some towns are chill. Others act like you’ve brought a tiger into the neighborhood. Knowing is better than arguing with City Hall.
And That’s a Wrap.
Backyard chickens aren’t just about eggs. They’re about routine, connection, and the weird joy of watching a bird chase a fly like it owes her money.
A good coop makes all the difference. Cozy. Functional. A little offbeat, like your favorite sweater that doesn’t match anything else but you wear it anyway.
So whether you build a cabin, a tractor, or a chicken palace with a chandelier, do it with love.
The chickens will thank you. Probably by pooping on your shoes. But hey—that’s just part of the deal.
FAQs
What is a “Hobbit Hole” chicken coop?
A “Hobbit Hole” chicken coop is a small, round, partially underground coop that creates a cozy, earthy home for your hens.
How does a rooftop chicken coop work?
A rooftop chicken coop uses a flat roof or elevated space as a chicken home, keeping the hens off the ground and saving backyard space.
Can I really use an old bookcase for a chicken coop?
Yes, old bookcases can be converted into vertical nesting boxes for chickens with a bit of reinforcement and creativity.
What is a chicken camper, and how does it work?
A chicken camper is a repurposed old trailer or pop-up camper that houses chickens and can be moved to different spots in the yard.
How does a solar-powered chicken coop function?
A solar-powered chicken coop uses solar panels to power small gadgets like fans or lights to keep the coop comfortable and energy-efficient.
What is a “bike-pulled” chicken coop?
A bike-pulled chicken coop is a lightweight, rolling coop that attaches to a bicycle for easy transportation around the yard.
What’s the purpose of mirrors on a chicken coop?
Mirrors on a chicken coop create a reflective, artistic look and can also confuse predators with their shiny surfaces.
Can I build a chicken coop out of a shipping crate?
Yes, a shipping crate can be repurposed into a sturdy, secure chicken coop with ventilation holes and a door for easy access.
How does a deck chicken coop work?
A deck chicken coop is built underneath a deck, utilizing the shaded, dry space to create a safe home for your hens.
What’s a painted palace chicken coop?
A painted palace coop is a vibrant, creatively decorated chicken house covered in colorful art, murals, or quirky designs.
Emma is a passionate home decor enthusiast and the voice behind Home Evoke. With a keen eye for design and a love for transforming spaces, she shares her expertise and creative ideas to help others create beautiful, functional homes. Through her blog, Emma inspires readers with practical tips, trend insights, and DIY projects that make home styling effortless and enjoyable.