Are you a chicken keeper who needs to house 10 chickens? If so, you are going to need a proper, safe and durable coop!
Chances are, if you have taken a look at pre-built coops, you’re pretty shocked at their price.
Thankfully, building your own coop from scratch is a cost-effective alternative.
But unless you follow the right plans, it’s not so easily done.
And that’s where I come in.
Needing to construct a coop from scratch for my own flock of 10 chickens, I researched around to find some plans that would help me along the way.
You’ll be pleased to hear that I did manage to find some. And better still, I’m incredibly satisfied with the results they gave.
So without further ado, what are the best chicken coop plans for 10 chickens?
How To Build A Chicken Coop, by Bill Keane
This printable, easy to follow, beginner-friendly step-by-step manual illustrates how you can build a secure and attractive coop to house up to 10 chickens.
No special tools are required, and you’ll save up to 50% compared to buying a pre-built coop.
The coop you will build are easy to clean and better yet, automatically collects eggs!
Best Chicken Coop Plans For 10 Chickens
If you are seeking detailed yet simple to follow step-by-step instructions that will explain how to build a coop for 10 chickens, look no further than the ‘Building A Chicken Coop’ plans by Bill Keane.
These plans are packaged together into a picture-based eManual.
As such, once you’ve bought them, you can instantly download them as a PDF file (and either print them out, or access them via a phone, tablet or PC.
There are plans for seven different coop designs.
You can literally choose one that you like the look of and that fits the dimensions of land that you have available.
Each design has specific dimensions, and a step-by-step process that even DIY beginners can use and follow.
So, by the time you are through with the plans, you’ll have a coop ready for your chickens.
A coop that is:
- Sturdy,
- Durable,
- Well-equipped (with nesting boxes, feeder areas),
- Space efficient,
- Has multiple access points,
- Is predator safe,
- Well ventilated,
- Well lit,
- Well insulated.
And perhaps best yet, you will be able to use basic tools that you likely already own (or can very easily get).
The designs included in these plans, and most suitable for a flock of 10 chickens are:
Chicken Coop Design 1
This effective coop design offers two floors – a suspended upper house with a roaming range on the bottom. You will build a ramp that will allow your birds to access either floor. I love the fact that you can install wheels on this design, should you want/need to move it.
Chicken Coop Design 2
The second provided design will offer your flock plenty of outdoor roaming space, along with accessible nesting boxes, a closable area and built-in roosts.
Chicken Coop Design 3
The third design you will get plans for is a double-story ark that offers a downstair run and an openable roof for your easy access. It provides a lot of vertical space and hence is great if you have less land available.
Chicken Coop Design 4
This design and house is great for 10 chickens. If you did want an outdoor roaming area, you could build this by erecting a fence and constructing a perimeter.
Chicken Coop Design 5
This is another popular design provided in the plans. Again, it’s versatile and great for a flock of 10 chickens.
What I Like About The ‘Building A Chicken Coop’ Plans by Bill Keane
- They can be instantly accessed, so you can decide on your coop, gather your materials, and get started in no time.
- They are economical to build, saving you a lot of money in the process.
- They offer different design options, that you can choose between to get a coop that suits your property, land availability and preferences.
- The plans are printable, so you can have paper copies to hand to follow as you construct. Or, you could access them via a mobile if you preferred.
- Precise and exact, the plans include the exact dimensions, and precise quantity of materials you will need. There’s no guesswork involved.
- Plans were developed by a poultry expert, which ensures that the coops meet all the needs of chickens, particularly regarding lighting, ventilation, insulation, nesting boxes and spatial requirements.
- Can be used by beginners and DIY newbies – The plans are detailed and thorough yet simple to follow.
- You get a range of bonus extras, such as a guide on where to best position your new coop, how to build nesting boxes from common materials, and an organic gardening eBook that you can use to cultivate food for your flock.
What Size Coop Do I Need For 10 Chickens?
You need a coop of at least 20-40 square feet for 10 chickens. This allows each bird with between 2 and 4 square feet of space, each, which is commonly accepted as an optimal amount per bird.
If you are looking for more precise coop dimensions, a coop of at least 4×8 is generally a good size.
That will afford your birds with a little extra space to roam, as it can house up to 11 birds as per the recommended spatial requirements.
That being said, if you do intend to add more chickens and birds to your flock, you may want to consider building a 6×8 coop,. This will comfortably house up to 24 chickens.
Finally
10 chickens make for a great flock.
And at this flock size, you are going to need a proper coop.
Thankfully, there are poultry experts like Bill Keane out there who have made the process of building a coop from scratch much easier.
Its allowed us chicken keepers the chance to make great savings compared to buying overpriced pre-built coops.
But here’s the thing.
You do need to follow precise, accurate and reliable plans.
I’ve taken a look at a lot of plans out there, including a lot of free downloads.
And truth be known, most of them are not fit for purpose.
They leave off important measurements, or simply don’t provide the level of detail you need.
So trust me when I say you should opt for these plans by Bill Keane.
Otherwise you could end up with a half-built coop in your yard.
Or worse still, a coop that is not fit for purpose and puts your chickens at risk (from the elements, predators or ailments brought about by an inappropriate coop).
Don’t take any risks.
Invest a small amount in a trustworthy set of plans.
Plans that will anyone can follow. And that will enable you to build an attractive, safe, effective and durable coop.
Even if you don’t have a massive budget, complex tools, or even much DIY experience.
That’s why I recommend the plans by Bill Keane.
Trust me, you’ll end up saving a lot of money, time and prevent a lot of frustration.
There are a lot of other benefits on offer too. As you will see if you head over to the ‘building a chicken coop’ website, below.
Related Questions
How many nest boxes do I need for 10 chickens?
If you have 10 chickens, it is advised to offer 2-3 nesting boxes. The general rule of thumb is one nesting box for every 4-5 hens.
Related Guides:
- Can Chickens Stay In The Coop All Day?
- Do Chicken Coops Need Windows?
- What Should Be Inside A Chicken Coop?
- How Often Should You Clean A Chicken Coop?
I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.