How Building a Chicken Coop Changed My Perspective

DIY chicken coop projects became my gateway into self-sufficiency when the COVID-19 lockdowns hit. As we were stuck at home, I began to experiment with gardening, composting, and eventually raising chickens in my small backyard. I never imagined that building a chicken coop with recycled materials would not only save me hundreds of dollars but also reconnect me to nature in such a meaningful way.

Over the years, I’ve built and helped others build more than a handful of coops using scrap, pallets, old furniture, greenhouse panels, and even leftover IKEA parts. In this article, I’ll walk you through 7 budget-friendly, eco-conscious chicken coop designs that not only work, but genuinely make a difference for your wallet and the planet.

For more inspiration on how to make your chicken coop and garden work together seamlessly, check out these smart chicken run garden layout tips.

1️⃣ DIY chicken coop: The Pallet Paradise – From Shipping Waste to Cozy Nest

My very first attempt at a DIY chicken coop started with discarded shipping pallets. These were available for free from a nearby warehouse. I grabbed four sturdy wooden pallets, some leftover chicken wire, and an old corrugated metal sheet from my dad’s garage.

Materials Used:

• 4 wooden pallets
• Screws and brackets
• Chicken wire fencing
• Corrugated roof sheet (metal or plastic)
• Hinges and latch for the door

Construction Experience:

I spent a weekend with a cordless drill, sawing a few sections to size, and within two days, had a simple but strong A-frame coop. What surprised me was how little money I spent—maybe $10 on screws. Everything else was repurposed.

This chicken coop from recycled materials now comfortably houses four hens. It has cross-ventilation, a shaded area, and a rainproof roof. What I love most is how rustic and natural it looks.

Pro Tips:

• Reinforce the corners with L-brackets for added strength.
• Use linseed oil to weatherproof the wood naturally.
• Add wheels if you want to make it mobile.

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2️⃣ The Closet Coop – Upcycling a Forgotten Wardrobe For Chicken Coop From Recycled Materials

One of the most creative ideas I’ve ever seen came from a friend who transformed a broken wooden wardrobe into a fully functional chicken coop from recycled materials. He removed the interior shelves, replaced the back panel with mesh, and cut a small door into one side.

Features:

• Top section became nesting boxes.
• Lower cabinet housed the feeder and waterer.
• The old mirrored door was repurposed into a shade flap.

Why It Works:

This design is perfect for small flocks (2–3 hens) and requires minimal carpentry. It’s ideal for urban settings with limited space. It’s also extremely cost-efficient—a perfect example of cheap chicken coop ideas that deliver.

The best part? He placed a solar-powered motion sensor light above the coop to deter raccoons, using a panel from a broken garden light.

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3️⃣ Sustainable Chicken Coop : The Greenhouse Combo – Two Functions in One Structure

Imagine a greenhouse that’s also a chicken coop. That’s exactly what I helped build on my sister’s permaculture farm. Using recycled PVC pipes and leftover greenhouse plastic, we made a sustainable chicken coop that served as both a home for chickens and a mini greenhouse for herbs and leafy greens.

Advantages:

• The coop provided warmth to the greenhouse section at night.
• Chickens fertilized the soil with their droppings.
• Saved materials from landfills while maximizing land use.

We installed a mesh divider to separate the chickens from the plants but allowed ventilation to flow. In winter, the setup retained heat surprisingly well. This design is perfect for moderate climates and farm settings.

This project made me rethink how backyard chicken coop projects could serve multiple purposes. Efficiency doesn’t have to be expensive—it just needs a bit of creativity.

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4️⃣ The Rolling Coop – Mobile and Manure-Free For Backyard Chicken Coop Project

If cleaning your chicken coop feels like a chore, the mobile chicken coop—often called a chicken tractor—is your dream come true. My cousin lives on a small homestead and repurposed an old wheelbarrow frame into the base of a rolling coop. He added wooden framing, wire mesh, and a detachable roof using a trashed umbrella frame and tarp.

Key Features:

• Can be moved to a new patch of grass daily
• Prevents over-manuring in one spot
• Provides fresh grass and bugs to chickens

Lessons Learned:

• Stability is key. Add diagonal braces.
• Use lightweight materials so one person can move it.

This mobile DIY chicken coop project was a game-changer. It’s especially useful for people with medium to large yards and no desire to constantly shovel droppings.

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5️⃣ The Raised Garden Coop – Layering Functionality

This idea came from a city gardener in Portland I met at a sustainable living conference. She had built a raised bed garden with her chicken coop built underneath. The structure was made from reclaimed wood and metal shelves.

Benefits:

• Protects chickens from harsh sun and rain
• Chickens help control insects and slugs under the garden
• Space-saving and aesthetically pleasing

She used recycled materials like old ladder rungs for the roost and wooden drawers for nesting boxes. It’s clever, efficient, and most importantly, a great conversation piece.

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6️⃣ The Shipping Crate Shelter – Industrial Turned Homestead

A few years ago, my workplace received a large shipment of industrial equipment in a huge wooden crate. Instead of dumping it, I asked to take it home. That crate became the shell for one of my most solid chicken coops.

Design Modifications:

• Added a slanted roof using scrap tin
• Installed an old RV window for ventilation
• Reinforced flooring with bricks and sand

It ended up being more weather-resistant than any store-bought coop I’d seen. Best part? It cost me absolutely nothing. Cheap chicken coop ideas like this are often about spotting opportunity in discarded things.

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7️⃣ The “No Money Coop” – 100% Recycled, 100% Effective

The most inspiring project I’ve witnessed was from a family in rural Thailand. They built a DIY chicken coop entirely from waste collected from nearby abandoned properties. They used:

• Bamboo poles for framing
• Worn-out mosquito netting as mesh
• Rusty tin for roofing
• Discarded cabinet doors as entry points

Despite costing literally zero money, the coop was well-ventilated, shaded, and protected against predators. It’s a powerful reminder that you don’t need cash—just vision and effort.

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📝 Final Thoughts: Lessons from the Coop

Over the years, building multiple coops has taught me more than just construction skills. It’s taught me patience, observation, and how to make the most of what we already have.

Whether you live on a farm or in a tiny urban backyard, there’s a DIY chicken coop style that suits your environment, budget, and aesthetic.

Remember:

• Always prioritize ventilation and safety
• Use recycled materials creatively
• Build in shade, or add a cover for hot climates
• Think long-term durability, not just initial savings

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