
How to Build Chicken Coops
Everything You Need to Know, Updated & Revised
by Samantha Johnson; Daniel Johnson
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 8 Jan 2019 | Archive Date 26 Feb 2019
Quarto Publishing Group – Voyageur Press | Voyageur Press
Talking about this book? Use #HowToBuildChickenCoops #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
This revised and expanded edition of How to Build Chicken Coops—one of the best-selling titles in Voyageur’s successful series licensed by Future Farmers of America (FFA)—provides complete and easy-to-follow instructions on building a coop, including 16 pages of new content.
Voyageur’s acclaimed FFA-licensed series has helped countless first-time animal owners confidently care for their new companions. How to Build Chicken Coops provides answers in a one-stop reference so chicken owners don’t have to waste time searching online for advice.
Whether readers are involved in the FFA, interested in starting an urban or suburban flock, or just curious about country living or urban farming, raising chickens is a great way to get started. And, when you build your own coop, you can make customizations to meet your specific needs and save money at the same time!
Beautifully designed and authoritatively written, How to Build Chicken Coops is a trusted guide to new chicken keepers of all ages. Inside, readers will find more than just a collection of plans, but a compendium of the background and insider information for chicken owners. How much space will you need? What is dust bathing? How many nest boxes and windows will your coop need? How much will it cost? What steps do you need to take to keep your chickens safe from predators?
Expanded and redesigned to appeal even more to middle and high school age enthusiasts, How to Build Chicken Coops takes the guesswork out of building a safe and comfortable home that’s just right for your flock of chickens.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9780760364116 |
PRICE | US$19.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews

First, this is a book on how to build <em>one</em> chicken coop, really. There is only one pattern here, and instructions for one coop. Now, granted, you can diviate, but if you are looking for plans for building more than the one coop, you should go elsewhere.
However, having said that, the instructions are very good, and you should be able to build a dang good coop with the instructions given.
<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Screen-Shot-2019-01-19-at-8.34.20-PM.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4922" />
<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Screen-Shot-2019-01-19-at-8.37.18-PM.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4921" />
<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Screen-Shot-2019-01-19-at-8.37.34-PM.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4920" />
And, there is lots more than just the instrictions, in here. In fact, the instructions don't start until the 5th chapter. (on page 102) The book is 192 pages long.
So, what is the rest of the book for then? Well, Chapter 4 tells you what tools you will need (which is important to know.), Chapter 3 is what to think about in the design, Chapter 2 is what to consider, and Chapter 1, is the most logical one, why you need a coop.
This book is good for what it does. It is very informative. There are other books that have more designs, but for what it says it does, this is a good step by step to teach you how to build the one coop on the cover.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Okay, I know you can go onto Pinterest and download dozens of instructions for building chicken coops. What I like about this book is that it tells you what you should consider before building: choosing the location (close or far from the house, maybe close to the garden), the ground conditions, sun, shade, and wind. Also – instead of building a new coop, there are suggestions for converting sheds, playhouses, even doghouses! There are time-saving ideas for chores, a solar-powered door timer, and automatic waterers and feeders.

Many, many years ago, my grandparents had chickens and I was always fascinated by them. I could sit and watch them for hours and of course, I named them. Now I want my grandchildren to have this experience too. I did not learn the ins and outs of chicken raising from my grandparents and did not want to make expensive decisions with no knowledge. Enter HOW TO BUILD A CHICKEN COOP. We live in an area where the climate changes often and rapidly so I knew I needed a coop, just didn't know what kind. And I never knew the differences could make such a huge impact. This book was very helpful. It is clearly written and easy to understand. My new found knowledge will keep my chickens cozy and healthy while we reap the benefits of fresh eggs and plenty of entertainment.

How to Build Chicken Coops: Everything You Need to Know is a book in the FFA series of publications. Originally published in 2015, this re-release on Quarto's Voyageur imprint released 8th Jan 2019, is 192 pages and available in ebook and spiral bound formats.
This book is slanted toward young people and provides a lot of good step by step advice on why to build a shelter for your flock, how to site your coop, choice of materials and designing and building the structure.
The book is not oversimplified. With only the instructions provided, one could certainly build a suitable coop. The text is lively and the photographs are numerous, full color, and well done. It's peppered with trivia and entertaining notes in sidebars throughout. The information provided is mostly slanted toward readers in North America, but can be adapted for other locales. There's a useful resource index (again, mostly for readers in NA), and a cross referenced index at the back.
Well written and entertaining (bad chicken trivia jokes included), it's a fun read with practical use.
Four stars.

This is an excellent detailed book about keeping chickens. Not only does it provide a plan, instructions and step by step photos of building your own coop, it also gives very good information regarding keeping chickens, breed and egg production. The book also tells you how to convert a shed into a chicken tractor (movable chicken shed) and the tool and material required for the main coop design.
The instructions are simple to follow and one could build a very sturdy and serviceable coop and interior furnishings in very little time, for some very happy chickens.
Great book
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Jennifer Weiner
General Fiction (Adult), New Adult, Women's Fiction