5 Best Chicken Coops in 2025, Recommended by Vets

Published Dec. 19, 2024
Chickens in a coop. The best chicken coops provide shelter and safety.

LUNAMARINA/iStock via Getty Images

All products in this article have been reviewed by our trusted vets and experts. PetMD is owned by Chewy.

Chicken coops are the ideal shelter for backyard chickens to lay eggs and sleep safely away from predators overnight.

From stationary chicken coops that provide a sturdy, permanent home for chickens to movable coops designed for pasture rotation, below are our veterinary panel’s picks for the best chicken coops.

These are great options for smaller flocks year-round in most southern U.S. climates. However, in areas with harsh winters, an additional enclosure will be needed to keep the flock comfortable during those cold months.

Also, for young chicks, you’ll still need to provide a brooding area (usually in the home or coop with heating lights) until they are old enough to move to the coop. Depending on the weather, the brood usually can be moved to the coop around 3–4 weeks of age.

Everything Our Vets Recommend

What To Consider When Buying a Chicken Coop

Capacity of Coop

Overcrowding a chicken coop can lead to health problems, poor hygiene, pecking, low egg production, and even cannibalism.

In addition to having a secure space for resting and laying eggs, chickens need ample space to flap their wings and participate in normal behavior, such as dust bathing, preening/grooming, socializing, and even exploring.

When buying a chicken coop, you’ll need to take into consideration the size of the flock, breed of chickens, and how much outdoor space your birds will have to meet their needs.

Be sure to buy a coop with:

  • At least 2.5–4 square feet of indoor floor space per bird
  • One nesting box for every four chickens
  • 8–10 inches of roosting (aka resting/sleep) space to perch per bird, and spacing of at least 14 inches between each perch/bar to optimize comfort

Adding outside space is important for each bird too. They need to have at least 5–10 square feet of outdoor space per bird.

Durability and Security

It’s essential to choose a well-made chicken coop constructed from durable materials that are sturdy and designed to protect your flock from any predators outside. Chicken coop materials range from treated wood to polyethylene plastic to galvanized steel.

Slight modifications might be needed, depending on your area, to make a coop more robust for predators, like raccoons.

Panelist Jessica Hockaday, DVM, recommends reinforcing the enclosure used for rest and nesting with chicken wire that is buried 6–12 inches into the ground for added protection.

Most chicken coops have wire mesh screens around the run area. However, “added reinforcement and other measures may be necessary for protection for your chickens,” says panelist Molly Price, DVM.

A fenced yard and supervision are also suggested.

Contact your local college or university to see if they have veterinary extension services for poultry and can offer support at the local level.

Ease of Cleaning

On average, chickens defecate 10–20 times a day, which means you should spot-clean your chicken coop daily, replace bedding and clean nesting boxes weekly, and do a deep clean every month.

Keeping the waste down in your coop is key to maintaining good air quality for your birds.

“This effort helps keep the litter and coop dry, lower ammonia levels, and provide your flock a safer, more comfortable place to roost,” Dr. Hockaday says.

Walk-in chicken coops and those with removable trays tend to be easier to clean.

Sufficient Ventilation

Speaking of good air quality, ventilation is important all year round.

Chicken coops should have ventilation panels that you can open to provide airflow (cross ventilation is best). You also might need supplemental airflow, e.g., using fans for areas that are over 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Experience Level

If you’re just starting out, you’ll want to choose a chicken coop that’s easy to set up, clean, and move around the yard, which you may need to do a few times before you find the right space when considering the sun, noise level of the chickens, and proximity to other things in your yard.

As you gain more experience, you may want to combine multiple structures to create a bigger space and add more birds to your flock too.

Budget

Chicken coops exist for pretty much every budget, ranging from a couple hundred dollars for small, simple setups to a few thousand dollars for extra-large, state-of-the-art coops.

No matter your budget, it’s essential to consider the size of your flock and make sure you provide appropriate space for the birds to express their natural behaviors.

The coop also should be manageable for you and your level of expertise as it pertains to things like flock size, breed of chickens, and region (which may require winterizing).

How We Selected the Best Chicken Coops

This list of the best chicken coops was meticulously curated by a panel of veterinarians who are employed by Chewy, the publisher of PetMD. They were asked to provide their honest opinions about the best chicken coops across multiple categories based on the following:

  • Their knowledge and practical experience
  • Reference of scientific journals/publications
  • Review of information published by the manufacturers
  • Attributes such as durability, security, size, number of nesting boxes, practicality, ease of cleaning, and price

Opinions and product recommendations in this article belong solely to the review panel
of vets and animal health experts.

Manufacturers and vendors cannot buy placement in Vet Verified content or exert influence on our panelists as they evaluate products.

Our sole goal with this program is to provide pet parents with the information they need to make the best decisions for their pets.

Chicken Coop FAQs

Q: What are some features of a good chicken coop design?

The best chicken coops are easy to clean, movable, durable, and secure, and they have adjustable ventilation.

Look for chicken coops with lots of secure doors and a hinged roof over the nesting box. These openings make it easy for chickens to move into and out of the coop and for you to maintain and clean.

When it comes to materials, wood makes for a sturdy structure, but it might not be as easy to disinfect as plastics like polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride.

Q: What is the best thing to put on the floor of a chicken coop?

The best material to line the floor of your chicken coop depends on how many chickens you have, because the more chickens, the more odor, waste, and moisture. Wood shavings are a good option, because they are absorbent and help fight odor and ammonia.

Q: How much space do chickens need?

Adult chickens each need about 2.5–4 square feet of indoor space and about 5–10 square feet of outdoor space.

Q: How much roosting space do chickens need?

Chickens need 8–10 inches of roosting space on a perch per bird to be comfortable. The bars need to be spaced 14 inches apart as well. So be sure to choose a chicken coop with enough room for your entire flock.


Our Vet Pick: Best in Show

A cozy chicken coop with easy access and UV protection

Our vets selected the Aivituvin Rabbit Hutch and Chicken Coop as best in show thanks to its smart design with many unique and convenient features.

“This coop is great for a small flock that needs security, but with free access to their environment,” says Dr. Hockaday.

Chickens are sociable animals, and keeping at least three of them at all times is recommended. With that in mind, Dr. Hockaday says this roughly 5.5-by-2-foot coop with run has enough indoor space for three hens.

You’ll enjoy the four access points, including a hinged roof and large main door, and removable anti-leak tray for easy cleanup. Your chickens will enjoy the outdoor run, nesting box, and ramp to mosey easily between areas.

The raised, sturdy wooden construction and fully enclosed outdoor space with UV-resistant, waterproof roofs help keep chickens safe and secure from predators and the elements.

“The raised perch helps protect the coop from moisture and rot and keeps your chickens safe, dry, and warm during wet, cold weather,” says Dr. Price.

However, one panelist notes that wood might not be as easy to disinfect as other materials.

Our experts especially appreciated the mobility of the structure. The wheels and handrail make it easy to move the coop around daily, allowing chickens to express natural behaviors in different spots around the backyard or acreage.

Things to Consider
  • Suitable for up to three chickens (depending on breed/size)
  • Solid wood construction
  • Raised structure that offers some protection from the elements and predators
  • Pullout tray for easy cleanup
  • Equipped with wheels and handrail for mobility
  • UV-resistant roof for sun protection
  • Might not be suitable for extreme winter weather conditions

Our Vet Pick: Best Chicken Coop for Beginners

A large, plastic coop that doesn’t require tools for assembly

If you’re just starting to keep chickens, our vets recommend the Snap Lock Snap Together Chicken Coop in a size large.

Made from UV-stable plastic, this novice-friendly chicken coop is durable, easy to assemble, and easy to clean. However, at 65 pounds and lacking wheels, it might be a challenge to move.

Other features include removable litter trays, again allowing for quick cleanup, and four nesting boxes.

Adjustable vents allow for air control. “Excess moisture can lead to poor air quality, a buildup of ammonia,” explains panelist Jo Cornett, DVM. “It also makes humidity worse in the summer and increases the risk for frostbite in the winter.”

However, our vets point out that you still need to keep the coop clean or else air quality could become an issue.

At roughly 5 feet by 3 feet, this large-size coop can accommodate up to 6 hens, based on animal health and welfare guidelines.

It does not come with an enclosed outdoor space, so you’ll still need to provide a safe outdoor area for your chickens.

There’s no need to use power tools to construct this coop. Just snap the pieces into place to build it. You don’t need to worry about painting it either.

As a bonus for beginners, this coop can be installed at ground level or raised with a ladder. Any coop with a ladder or training needed can be tricky with the first few flocks.

If the coop is elevated, start introducing the flock to the ladder as young as possible, or use training ladders in the brooding area so they can build up their climbing muscles/skills.

Things to Consider
  • Suitable for up to six hens
  • Crafted from UV-stable plastic, which is easy to clean
  • No tools required for assembly
  • Can be raised or kept at ground level
  • Pullout tray for easy cleanup

Our Vet Pick: Best Walk-In Chicken Coop

An easily accessible chicken coop with a rooftop garden

Save space and indulge in two of your favorite hobbies—chicken-keeping and gardening—with the ZooVilla Red Barn Chicken Coop With Roof Top Planter, our vets’ pick for the best walk-in chicken coop.

This coop is about 3.5 feet tall, so most adults won’t be able to walk into it completely upright, but it features large doors to allow easy access to the run and coop. And at roughly 3 feet long and 4 feet wide, it’s large enough to fit up to five chickens inside.

Other features include two nesting boxes with a hinged roof and four roosting bars. Our veterinary panel especially liked that the run is detachable, allowing for easier cleaning and movability.

Our vets also appreciated that it’s made of kiln-dried Cunninghamia wood treated with oil-based stain, which is durable and easy to disinfect.

However, they pointed out that the coop comes without a solid floor, which could make cleaning more difficult, depending on the surface the coop is placed on (gravel, sand, cement).

Perhaps the most unique feature of this coop is the rooftop planters, which can be used to plant herbs and leafy greens for you and your chickens.

“This coop is perfect for farm living or more suburban areas,” says panelist Bari Morrison, DVM.

Things to Consider
  • Suitable for up to five chickens
  • Solid wood structure
  • Detachable run for easy cleaning and moving
  • Unique rooftop planters
  • Large doors that allow access to space for easier cleaning and interacting with chickens
  • Lacks floor and pullout litter trays

Our Vet Pick: Best Raised Chicken Coop

A raised coop with a sturdy steel frame

Raised coops offer many benefits, and our vets recommend the Win World Blooming Chicken Coop as the best option in this category.

“Chickens like to roost high up in trees, so having a raised coop leans toward their natural habitat,” says panelist Tiffany Tupler, DVM. “It’s also good for protection against predators.”

Not only is the raised nesting area more difficult to reach for smaller potential predators like mice and rats, but an elevated structure is also more protected from mold or rot from the ground below. Plus, raised nesting areas make egg collection easier.

This 3-by-2.5-foot chicken coop features a sturdy steel frame and reinforced wood panels for security and durability. It can accommodate up to two chickens.

Other features include a pullout tray for easy cleanup, a dual nesting box, and multiple roosting bars.

Things to Consider
  • Suitable for up to two chickens
  • Wood and steel construction
  • Raised structure that offers some protection from the elements and predators
  • Pullout tray for easy cleanup
  • Flower box for growing bird-friendly herbs and flowers
  • Ships in multiple boxes, but has pre-drilled holes and panels for easier assembly

Our Vet Pick: Best Free-Range Enclosure

A galvanized steel enclosure with roof cover to help protect your flock while they graze

Free-range chickens spend a lot of time roaming around, which means they need an enclosure with more space than a conventional chicken coop with run offers.

PawHut Walk-in Poultry Cage Galvanized Outdoor Metal Chicken Coop is our vets’ pick for the best free-range enclosure.

Chickens need 5–10 square feet of outdoor space per bird, which means this large 6.6-by-9.8-foot enclosure can technically accommodate about a dozen chickens. However, the manufacturer recommends four to six chickens to allow for the most space possible per bird.

You’ll still need to provide a coop or some sort of structure for nesting. Dr. Hockaday says it would pair well with a coop that has limited secure outdoor space. “[It] also can be great for a smaller urban flock’s outside space,” she says.

Made of galvanized steel with hexagonal mesh walls and a lockable galvanized steel door, this enclosure helps protect chickens from predators. The roof cover, a specially treated Oxford cloth, offers protection from rain and sun.

When not in use for your birds, it can transition to a miniature greenhouse.

Things to Consider
  • Recommended for four to six chickens
  • Steel structure
  • Roof covering
  • Not suitable for overnight use, as it lacks a nesting area
  • Lightweight for easier mobility