Are you keen to build a hen house for a flock of 8 chickens? If so, you’re going to need a good set of plans for this project.
And you’re going to want great, dependable and easy-to-follow plans, too.
Well at least I would.
In my own search to find such plans that met such criteria, I managed to find a set I would strongly recommend you take a closer look at.
Besides, these are the ones I personally invested in, and I never looked back:
How To Build A Chicken Coop, by Bill Keane
These printable, beginner-friendly step-by-step plans illustrate how you can build a secure and attractive coop to house 8 chickens (or more).
No special tools are required, and you’ll save up to 50% compared to buying a pre-built coop.
The coop you will build is easy to clean and better yet, will automatically collect your eggs!
Best Chicken Coop Plans For 8 Chickens
If you’re seeking comprehensive, yet easy-to-follow step-by-step guidelines to construct a coop for 8 chickens, I highly recommend ‘Building A Chicken Coop’ by Bill Keane.
This picture and diagram-based guide presents an array of different coop designs that you can build, depending on your personal preferences, available land space, and requirements.
Not only does it provide all the essential dimensions, but it also helps you save money by suggesting the most effective and affordable materials.
It eliminates any guesswork, plus will ensure you meet the needs of your chickens, specifically in regard to optimal ventilation, insulation, and lighting.
Within this eManual, you’ll find seven distinct designs that are perfect for accommodating 8 chickens.
These include:
Chicken Coop Design 1
This coop offers a suspended upper house (above) and a full range (below), with a ramp to allow easy entrance for your birds to the upper level. You can even add wheels to this coop to make it easier to move around.
Chicken Coop Design 2
This particular design will afford your birds plenty of space, and even allow for you to add to your flock. It provides an easily accessible nesting box, two closable areas and built-in roosts.
Chicken Coop Design 3
This double-story ark features a roof that opens and closes – allowing you easy access. Its perfect for yards and areas that lack space.
Chicken Coop Design 4
This large house will provide a lot of indoor space for your hens. You could even set up a picket fence around it, giving your birds a safe place to free range.
Chicken Coop Design 5
This compact design offers a lot of room for your birds, while not taking up as much space. You can add two feeders easily too, ensuring all your chickens can feed as and when needed.
Why I Recommend The ‘Building A Chicken Coop’ Plans by Bill Keane
- These plans are available for immediate download, enabling you to begin your project without delay.
- Designed with printing in mind, you can effortlessly print multiple copies to use while working. Alternatively, access the plans on your mobile/tablet or PC if you find it more convenient.
- All guesswork is eliminated, as precise measurements and materials are provided.
- Common tools, which you likely already possess, can be used to complete the construction.
- Developed by a poultry expert, these plans ensure that all the diverse needs of your birds are met.
- Comprehensive yet straightforward – The plans are easy to follow while still providing ample detail. There are no unnecessary or complex steps.
- Additional bonuses include a guide on the ideal location for your new coop, instructions for creating nesting boxes from everyday materials, and an organic gardening eBook to help you grow food for your flock.
What Size Coop Do I Require for 8 Chickens?
When planning to accommodate 8 chickens, the general guideline is to allocate a minimum of 4 square feet per bird. Therefore, a coop measuring at least 4×8 should be sufficient.
However, the more space you can provide for your birds, the better, particularly if you plan to keep them indoors most of the time.
Now, it’s important to consider the coop design.
Various designs offer different indoor/outdoor spaces, greater vertical height versus horizontal space, and so on.
Some designs include runs, while others enable you to construct your own free-range area.
Finally
If you currently have a group of 8 chickens (or plan to acquire them), it’s crucial to construct a suitably sized and well-designed coop.
To achieve this, it’s best to adhere to trustworthy and dependable plans.
After all, you wouldn’t want to begin a project that you can’t complete.
You certainly don’t want to create a coop that exposes your birds to predators or fails to meet their requirements for lighting, insulation, or ventilation, either.
That’s why I generally steer clear of free plans.
These often lack vital information or omit essential details.
So, do yourself a favor – get these plans.
You’ll likely save a significant amount of time (and also a lot of money) in the long run.
Additionally, you’ll receive:
- Accurate measurements and specific material suggestions.
- A coop that is not only sturdy but also functional.
- Moreover, the end result will look fantastic.
To learn more, visit the ‘Building a Chicken Coop’ website, linked below.
I am a practiced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site I created to share everything I’ve learned about pet ownership over the years and my extensive research along the way.