A Frame Chicken Coop Blueprints: The Ultimate Guide for Building Your Own Coop

Backyard chickens are becoming increasingly popular and for good reason. Not only do they provide a steady supply of delicious fresh eggs but they make great pets too!

However, properly housing your chickens is critical for their health and wellbeing. A frame chicken coops are one of the most popular DIY coop designs. They are relatively simple and inexpensive to build, yet offer plenty of space and protection for a small flock of chickens.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about A frame chicken coop blueprints and building your own coop step-by-step.

What is an A Frame Chicken Coop?

An A frame chicken coop gets its name from the A-shaped roof design. The sloped roof allows rain and snow to easily slide off, keeping the interior of the coop dry. A frame coops are typically designed to house 3-6 chickens comfortably.

The A frame design gives the chickens plenty of room to move around inside while leaving as little of a mark on your yard as possible. Many A frame coops are made to be mobile, with wheels or skids on the bottom so they can be moved to new pasture as needed. Their small size also makes them easy to clean and maintain.

Benefits of an A Frame Chicken Coop

There are many advantages to choosing an A frame design for your chicken coop:

• Easy to build: Even people who have never done it before can easily build the basic A frame structure. No advanced carpentry skills required.

• Economical – Less materials are required compared to larger coops, keeping costs down.

• Good ventilation – The sloped roof and ends encourage air circulation.

• Easy access – Doors and nesting boxes are easy to access for cleaning and collecting eggs.

• Relocation – Smaller size and wheeled base makes the coop portable. Allows access to fresh pasture.

• Cute look: The small A-frame design looks good from the street and in backyards.

• Customizable – A frames can be adapted in many ways to suit your specific needs.

A Frame Chicken Coop Blueprints

You’ll need good plans to build your own A-frame chicken coop. Here are some of the best online blueprints, both free and paid:

Free Plans

• Backyard Chickens A Frame Coop – Basic 6 x 8 coop with nesting box and roosting bars. Materials list provided.

• The Poultry Guide A Frame Plans – 23 different A frame coop designs to choose from, with pictures.

• Ana White A Frame Coop – Cute A frame design using pine and hardware cloth. Detailed plans.

• My Outdoor Plans – Customizable A frame plans, adjustable size and number of nesting boxes.

Paid Plans

• Green Willow Homestead Plans – Best-selling plans, available in 3 sizes. Step-by-step instructions and materials list.

• Easy Coops – Professionally designed plans including framing diagrams. Medium and large sizes available.

• My Custom Plans – Downloadable PDF and CAD plans for a 4×8 A frame coop with bonus instructional video.

The easiest way to build your first A frame coop is to follow a set of detailed plans like these. The plans include complete materials lists, cut lists, diagrams, and step-by-step building instructions.

Paid plans from professional designers tend to be more thorough. They offer better guidance for DIYers compared to some free online plans.

How to Build an A Frame Chicken Coop

Building an A frame coop involves just a few main steps:

Planning

• Decide on size based on number of chickens (3-6 is ideal for A frame)
• Choose a location with adequate sun, drainage, and access
• Review local building codes for requirements

Frame Construction

• Build front and back A frame gable ends
• Add support framing and purlins across front and back
• Build side walls and attach to ends

Roofing

• Add roofing material (metal, asphalt shingles, etc.)
• Finish framing gable ends
• Add vents

Interior Design

• Create nesting boxes
• Install roosting bars
• Add interior ventilation holes or windows

Exterior Finishing

• Attach siding and trim
• Build/add chicken run or fenced enclosure
• Add hardware cloth, bird netting, wheels, etc.

Doors and Access Points

• Cut out and frame doors for human access
• Add hatch door, ramp, or steps for chickens

Following detailed schematics and plans will make constructing your A frame chicken coop much easier, even if you have limited DIY experience. The basic A frame structure is straightforward, but having guidance for the finer details will ensure your coop is functional and built to last.

A Frame Chicken Coop Materials

You can build an A frame chicken coop using a wide variety of new or recycled materials. Some of the most common options include:

• Lumber – 2x4s and 2x2s for framing, plywood or OSB for walls and roof

• Hardware Cloth – 1/2″ mesh for ventilation, predator protection

• Roofing – Corrugated metal, asphalt shingles, metal, polycarbonate panels

• Siding – Wood, metal, or vinyl panels for exterior walls

• Fasteners – Galvanized screws, nails, hinges, latches, staples

• Accessories – Nesting boxes, roosting bars, wheels, handles, ramps

Reclaimed and recycled materials like old wood pallets, swing sets, and metal roofing can be used to save money on the build. Just be sure to avoid treated lumber or any materials that may contain harmful chemicals.

Building an A Frame Chicken Coop Step-by-Step

Now let’s look at how to build an A frame chicken coop from start to finish using basic DIY carpentry skills:

Step 1: Frame the Front and Back Gable Ends

• Cut two sets of rafters and gussets for front and rear A frame ends
• Assemble into A frames using wood glue and screws
• Brace bottom corners with additional triangular gussets

Step 2: Install Support Beams Across Ends

• Measure and cut 2×4 beams to span front and rear A frame ends
• Attach support beams using metal joist hangers or notch into rafters

Step 3: Build Side Walls

• Cut side wall studs, top plates, and bottom plates to length
• Assemble into rectangular frames for side walls
• Attach walls to front and rear A frame ends

Step 4: Add Roof Framing and Sheathing

• Install additional 2×4 rafters and supports along the roof line
• Cut roof sheathing (plywood or metal panels) to size
• Attach sheathing to roof framing using screws

Step 5: Construct Nesting Boxes

• Build nesting boxes out of wood and attach inside coop
• Line boxes with wood shavings for comfort
• Make access doors for egg collection

Step 6: Install Roosting Bars

• Cut and install wooden roosting bars across rear of coop interior
• Place bars 2-3 feet off floor for roosting

Step 7: Finish Framing Gable Ends

• Frame out gable ends with trim boards
• Create ventilation openings
• Add siding panels to exterior gable ends

Step 8: Install Exterior Siding and Access Doors

• Attach siding to exterior walls (wood, metal, etc)
• Build and hang human access door(s) with latch
• Install chicken access door or ramp

And that covers the basic construction process! Once your coop frame is complete, add features like nesting boxes, roosting bars, ventilation windows, and exterior cladding to suit your needs.

Tips for Success

Follow these tips to ensure your DIY A frame chicken coop build goes smoothly:

• Have a clear set of plans and material list before starting

• Assemble the entire frame first before adding walls, roof, etc

• Measure twice, cut once! Double check measurements.

• Use pressure-treated lumber for structural elements close to soil

• Seal any wood-to-wood joints with exterior caulk

• Pre-drill holes for screws to prevent splitting wood

• Use galvanized screws and hardware to resist corrosion

• Check local building codes and get proper permits if required

• Make doors wide enough for easy human access (2+ feet)

A frame chicken coops make wonderful homes for small backyard flocks. They provide space for chickens to roost and nest comfortably while protecting them from the elements and predators. Plus, they are relatively easy and affordable to build as a weekend DIY project.

Just follow a good set of building plans closely, use quality materials, and take your time with construction. Focus on meeting the basic needs of your chickens like sufficient living space, adequate ventilation, roosting bars, and nesting boxes.

Before you know it, you’ll have a cute A frame chicken coop up and running in your yard and a steady supply of farm-fresh eggs every morning!