Hi! I am Sarah, the Real Simple Mama, and I’ve been a chicken tender for six years now. (No this isn’t the beginning of a Chicken Addicts Anonymous meeting!) I’m actually to here to talk about how to buy a coop kit for your flock.

My family and I got chickens six years ago in a semi urban Texas neighborhood; while we’ve moved quite a few times in this six years, we’ve almost always had a “coop kit.” I define this as a coop that comes in a box with instructions, pre-measured materials, and a plan. You’re paying for the convenience and the work it took for someone to design and package a coop – just build the kit and you’re ready for chickens!

But coop kits are sometimes less-than-easy to shop for, and I’ve had my share of bad experiences. Read on for all of my recommendations – what to look for in a coop kit for backyard chickens!

And hey for your shopping convenience, click on the free downloadable printable towards the end – it’s a short-and-sweet copy of my list so you can take it with you when you go to buy your own coop kit! Plus check out the video tour on YouTube, linked at the very bottom of this article.

I have affiliate links in this article – that means I may get paid a cut if you buy something! BUT it’s no more expensive for you – so enjoy, and thanks!

Like I said, I’ll list what I think you NEED in a coop kit, and then follow with the hacks and tricks I recommend you do to keep your coop kit in great shape for years! There’s a link towards the bottom to print off this list for free, and the video tour at the end.

In a post-Covid world, plan to spend at least $200 on a new coop kit; some will be $500 or more in the United States! A lot will depend on the size and the features. You can consider used of course and that may work out really well! Make sure you see it in-person before buying, and deep clean it before you add your own chickens.

Finally, look everywhere for the perfect coop kit. It may come from a local group, a farm supply store, or even somewhere obscure like a pawn shop or a flea market!

You can check out my Coop and Run playlist on Youtube to see the coop kits that I have had; I currently have the Omaha model from Rugged Ranch, and a smaller kit from Aivituvin (affiliate link) that I use as a quarantine coop kit.

The Short List – What You Need in a Coop Kit

  • Enough roost bar space for the chickens you want (8-10” minimum/chicken)
    • Chickens won’t spend all day in the coop, but they do spend all night in there.
  • Ventilation – venting under the roof, windows, etc.
  • Access points to clean and check on chickens
  • Nesting boxes with easy access (you don’t need many of these!)
  • Hardware cloth throughout!
  • A predator proofing plan –
    • Two-step predator proof locks
    • How to secure around the base of the coop to prevent digging under
  • Do you need a “yard” for your flock or not?
  • Where will you put the chickens’ food and water?
  • Option for automatic coop door/storage?

Hacks to Improve Your Kit:

  • Seal it with a weatherproof wood sealant once a year
  • Automatic coop door recommended so you don’t have to manually let them out every morning, and put them to bed every night
  • Additional predator proofing around the edge
  • Don’t worry about the chickens being cold – worry about them getting too hot
  • Use materials with little-to-no dust (eg avoid cedar, fine sand, etc.)
  • Clean the coop as often as possible as chickens poop in their sleep
  • Deep clean the coop at least once every six months
  • Regularly check around the coop for damage, repairs, predator attempts, etc.
  • Bird netting recommended for overhead if you use a chicken run
  • Use the Chicken Tender’s Journal to keep track of chicken chores, due dates, etc.!

Tah-dah! I hope this helps you find an amazing coop kit that’s perfect for your backyard flock. If you want the list as a PDF, it’s right here!

Coop Kit Shopping List RSMDownload

And feel free to leave comments and questions below! Happy shopping!