How to Build a Chicken Hutch

There are many benefits to keeping your own chickens, including composting litter for gardens, using up fruit and vegetable scraps instead of adding them to the garbage bag, and of course fresh, delicious eggs.

Here are some tips for how to build a chicken hutch.

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What is a Chicken Hutch?

You might only have the space and the time to keep one or two chickens and won’t need a large chicken coop. A chicken hutch is just a simple raised box structure with enough floor space for 1-2 chickens, plus one nesting box. A chicken hutch also has a hinged roof you lift up and a door with a small ramp to the ground.

Raise the Chicken Hutch off the Ground

A chicken coop is a structure that is built on the ground, while a chicken hutch is raised off the ground. You can raise it about 1-2 feet off the ground, or higher, but you will need to build a ramp for the chickens to get up and down. The reason for raising the chicken hutch is for easier cleaning and protection from predators.

Use wood posts like 4x4” wood, stack concrete blocks, or build a box for the base. Make sure any materials you use are good quality and the hutch is sturdy.

Build a Good-Sized Door

Make sure you allow enough space in your plans for a large door. The chickens should be able to easily walk in and out of the door, without having to squeeze through. Some plans show a swinging door on hinges which the chickens push against to go in and out. Make sure it’s of lightweight plywood so that it is easy for them to enter and exit. Also, install a latch on the door for night time to protect against predators.

If the chicken hutch is over 1-2 feet off the ground you will need a ramp off the door. Lean a notched ramp against the door that fits flush against it. Chickens will learn quickly how to walk up and down the ramp. Also remove this at night to prevent predators’ attacks.

Build a Hinged Roof

The roof of the chicken hutch lifts up for easy cleaning and egg collecting. Many chicken hutch plans include a hinged roof because daily cleaning of the hutch is necessary. With a smaller space, you must clean out the litter, clear the nesting boxes and clean the water and food receptacles every day. A hinged roof allows easy access and will encourage you to take care of the hutch everyday.

Install another latch on the hinged roof because predators can lift it up at night.

Be sure you keep these points in mind when planning to build a chicken hutch. You will have a successful project and a good environment for your chickens. There are a lot of good reasons for keeping chickens. If you live in an urban space or only have a small yard, scaling down with a chicken hutch is a good idea.

 These are the plans I settled on:

They really worked for me and I got the chicken coop I wanted within my budget and my building skills. I highly recommend you check out Building a Chicken Coop.

This is the ultimate guide to planning and building your own coop in your backyard. In includes drafts of plans, dimensions, materials lists and sources to everything you need to build a sustainable chicken coop.