The best chicken coops for sale will rarely be among the cheapest as you may expect but it’s far easier to find coops that are overpriced rather than underpriced.
The reality though is that, like a lot of things these days, the vast majority of ‘cheap’ coops are the ones that are overpriced. Assuming the manufacturers aren’t some kind of backyard farm charity if it’s carefully constructed and from decent materials it won’t be cheap.
A chicken coop must first and foremost keep its residents safe from predators. Some who are new to rearing hens in urban, backyard farms may underestimate just how wild their surroundings can become, especially after dark.
You’ll generally have a lot more foxes, opossums, mink, raccoons, hawks, weasels etc. etc. in your neighborhood than you think, and then there are domestic cats (though they usually only go for chicks or physically small adolescent hens.)
Naturally you’ll also want a chicken coop which is strongly weather resistant and relatively spacious. Allow AT LEAST two square feet per hen, any less is psychologically difficult for them, will prevent them from thriving and indirectly lead to aggression towards each other, pecking etc. The more space you can offer your hens the happier they will be.
Not as important but important nonetheless is height – a chicken coop should be least three feet high.
Good ventilation is important too, the best chicken coops will provide a certain amount of shade, be well equipped with roosts, feeding & watering areas, be easily cleanable and with clean out drawers for waste, and off ground nesting boxes – at least one for every 5 adult hens – etc. And finally a good coop should be built from good material that will last.
Beyond those generally accepted criteria what may or may not be good for you and your chickens will come down to the size of your flock, the amount of space you have available and of course just what may appeal aesthetically.
Taking all these factors, and a few others, into account here is our pick for:
The Best Chicken Coops to Buy on Amazon in 2021
Winner: OverEZ Coops:
These are a very sturdy, well crafted (Amish) design available via Amazon and come in large – for up to 15 hens, medium – for up to 10 hens and small – for up to 5 hens. They are strong, stable and secure, and as predator proof a chicken coop as you will find anywhere.
They will perform well in weather extremes and though look cosy they are still relatively spacious, and well ventilated with two screened windows and vents at either gable end.
They should last too – the wood frames, floor and walls are sturdy, the design leaves little room for leaks or weak points and the exteriors have been treated with weatherproof (& non toxic) paint & resin.
Keeping this chicken coop clean should prove easy and we also think the traditional, semi-cottage design looks cute and cosy.
Installation is not complicated as you will see from their instructional video on the Amazon page. Everything is supplied, all you should have is a drill.
They are though expensive, this we will admit, but you will at least avoid the dreaded…‘buy it cheap buy it twice’.
These chicken coops come in three sizes – large (for up to 15 hens), Medium (up to 10 hens) and small (up to 5)
TO CHECK OUT THE LARGE SIZE (UP TO FIFTEEN HENS) – CLICK HERE
FOR MEDIUM SIZE (UP TO TEN HENS) – CLICK HERE
FOR SMALL (UP TO FIVE HENS) – CLICK HERE
If needed the same Amazon store also sells outside runs to fit these coops, plus wire panels that fit around the bottom of the coop allowing this space to also become part of the run, useful especially if your run is not shaded.
The image on the left is of the coop and an attached run but without the wire panels, which you can find here (large size in this example).
Many people don’t use runs for their chickens unless they feel there are day time predators around but they do give you that extra bit of peace of mind if the hens are left unsupervised day to day. They should though be as large as possible.
Other Chicken Coop Brands we like in 2021:
Best Choice Coops:
This is a small, cute and tidy, multi level coop with ramp access to the second level, suitable we’d say for a maximum of three hens (it’s advertised for three to five hens, but we feel even four would be quite tight).
It is well put together, comfortable for the hens, well ventilated, secure, durable and treated with non-toxic waterproof varnish.
It does feel slightly light weight though, so you may be tempted to tack it down well if you live in an area prone to storms.
It comes with a built-in nesting box which has a removable divider and lid cover.
Keeping it clean is easy with three access points and a removable, slide-out bottom section.
Dimensions: 79.25″(L) x 26.5″(W) x 51.5″(H)
CHECK OUT THE DETAILS ON AMAZON – CLICK HERE
Another good example from the Best Choice range is this slightly smaller and conveniently mobile model, with two wheels at the back and a handle on the front.
It has a broadly similar design to the above displayed, 80 inch Best Buy model but feels a bit more weighty.
It also has a nice nesting box with removable divider, accessible through a hatch.
It is equally secure from predators but more weatherproof than the above, coming with plastic diffuser panels on the roof to prevents overheating.
It is equally easy to keep clean and overall is probably a little more pleasing to the eye.
Dimensions: 70.87″(L) x 25.98″(W) x 39.37″(H) Best to keep no more than three hens.
CHECK OUT ALL THE DETAILS ON AMAZON – CLICK HERE
Lazy Buddy Coops:
Lazy Buddy have sturdy chicken coops that we liked and come in a good range of sizes.
They are solid, durable and come with standard elevated coops, nesting boxes and an enclosed run.
Dimensions of the example in the photo (small size): LxWxH 65.52 x 29.25 x 40.17 inches. Will be good for a maximum of three hens.
They also do medium and large sizes – check their Amazon store.
CHECK OUT ALL THE DETAILS ON AMAZON – CLICK HERE
