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The average cost to build a chicken coop in the UK ranges from £150 to £1,000, depending on its size, complexity, and whether you DIY or hire a professional.
Rearing hens has become a popular trend in the UK, with an increasing number of people who use backyard poultry to obtain fresh eggs. However, building the shelter for your hens is the most significant investment you could make before you invite them home. The chicken coop is not only a building where they sleep and lay eggs, but their defence against the predators, a shelter against the British climate, and a place that directly influences their well-being as well as their productivity. For anyone considering this step, one of the first questions is simple: What is the cost to build a chicken coop in the UK?
Prices may range from a hundred or so pounds for the basic DIY-style job to over a thousand pounds for a more sizable, more sensible design. In our guide to budgeting, we will deconstruct the various costs involved, including materials and labour, and extra features, so that you can spend with confidence without any unwelcome shocks. Also, you can understand here: Is it cheaper to buy a chicken coop or build one?
When people ask about the average cost to build a chicken coop in the UK, the truth is that there isn’t a single price tag that applies to everyone. Rather, it is going to cost you depending on numerous considerations such as its size, its structure, the materials that you decide to use, and whether you are planning to install it yourself or to employ a professional.
For a basic DIY chicken coop suitable for a few hens, you can expect to spend around £200 to £400. This would include cheap timber, a bare roof, a little wire mesh, and simple bits of hardware such as hinges and latches. On the other hand, if you want a medium-sized coop for a family flock of six to ten chickens, the cost usually rises to between £500 and £900. These coops must be provided, more ventilated, longer runs and more nesting boxes.
At the top end, a large custom-built chicken coop designed for ten or more chickens, with weatherproofing, insulation, and a secure, spacious run, can cost £1,000 to £1,500 or more. This is possible to be surpassed by some professionally designed coops, especially those that are customised to small farms or any other breeds that are specialised.
The range is broad because the situation does not exist where it is possible to use the same approach, creating chicken coops of the same size. The style of your coop will be yours alone, to your garden and to your climate, as well as to the number of hens you have.
The single largest expense in the cost to build a chicken coop is usually the materials. All these components of the structure, like frame to roof, glass mesh to even paint, contribute to making up the overall cost. Now, see what the primary types are.
Most chicken coops in the UK are timber-backed. Softwood like pine is cheaper, costing around £100 to £200 for a small coop, but it requires regular treatment against rot and pests. Hardwood or pressure-treated timber is much more durable, making it ideal for the damp British climate, but it pushes costs closer to £300 to £500 for a medium-sized build.
Occasionally, panels and flooring can be plywood, as this is cheap and easily cut; however, it is prone to deterioration in the presence of moisture. Because treated or marine-grade plywood is a bit more expensive initially, many chicken keepers find it worth the investment to purchase this more durable plywood.
Your chickens are going to be dry in pouring rain and warm in the winter due to the roof. The UK receives a lot of rain, and skimping on the roof can end up being expensive to repair. Corrugated metal sheets are popular and cost around £30 to £80, depending on size. Asphalt shingles provide a neat finish and good insulation for about £50 to £100. Roofing felt is the cheapest option, often under £40, but it may not last more than a few years.
One of the key issues of UK chicken keepers may be predation by foxes, badgers, as well as dogs in the neighbourhood. This necessitates the use of wire mesh or galvanised fencing as a very essential investment. A roll of chicken wire large enough for a small run costs about £40 to £70, while heavy-duty galvanised mesh for larger coops and runs can reach £150 or more. Hardware like screws, nails, and staples might add another £20–£30, but they are vital for making the coop secure.
Coops must have powerful and predator-resistant doors and locks. A basic set of hinges and latches might cost as little as £10, but investing in sturdier, fox-proof bolts could raise the expense to £30–£50. A cheap security system by far in terms of the peace of mind that the fact that your flock will be safe overnight.
Due to wet winters and wet conditions characteristic of the UK, you cannot leave your coop unsealed and unpainted. A good weatherproof paint or timber treatment can cost £30 to £70, depending on quality and how much surface you need to cover. The application of environmentally friendly paints also means that your chickens are not poisoned.
One of the biggest decisions you’ll face when considering the cost to build a chicken coop is whether to take the DIY route or hire a professional. A large part of the cost can be attributed to labour, particularly in the event you wish to have a bigger or more powerful coop.
To a lot of them, Do-It-Yourself is the most rewarding and the least expensive option. Provided you already possess the most basic of tools and have done some carpentry before, then the labour cost is virtually zero. It will cost you nothing more than your time. A small coop may require working 8-12 hours, and a medium-sized coop may consume 20 hours or more. Rather larger insulated constructions with runs are to be done in several weekends.
But although you are not paying another person, you may need to buy or rent equipment, and this introduces indirect costs of labour. Renting a circular saw or nail gun for a day can cost £20–£40, which still works out cheaper than hiring a tradesperson, but is worth factoring in.
Engagement of a carpenter/ handyman eliminates the pressure of making constructions and provides a professional finish. In the UK, the hourly rate for skilled labour ranges from £20 to £40 per hour, depending on the region. For a small coop, you might pay around £100 to £200 in labour, while larger or custom projects could cost £300 to £400.
The reason why many people opt to go this way is that often a professionally constructed coop is stronger and more reliable. In case your skills are few, employing an expert may save you in the long run by avoiding the mistakes that incur costly repairs.
One of the most obvious factors that will give you an idea of how much you will spend is the size of your coop. The chicken requires an area to move around, preen, and lay eggs, and congestion may bring about anxieties, violence, and diseases.
If you want the cheapest, then a small chicken coop that houses only a few, three or four hens would do. Using simple wood panels, a felt roof, and basic wire mesh, you could build one for £200–£400.
A medium coop is the most typical one to have a family flock. Such coops typically need to have more sturdy framing material, various nesting boxes, and a safe run. The cost to build a chicken coop of this size typically falls between £500 and £900, depending on whether you build it yourself or hire help.
Individuals with a large flock in mind will require a huge chicken coop. These frequently have several perches, heavy-duty wire runs, weatherproofing, and even insulation. Expect to spend £1,000 to £1,500 or more.
The second consideration influencing the overall price will be whether you purchase a prefabricated coop or have one built-in. Both have advantages as well as disadvantages.
Pre-fabricated coops are sold at garden centres and DIY stores all over the UK. These start at around £200 for a simple two-hen house and can climb to over £1,000 for larger versions with built-in runs.
The benefit of the prefabricated coops is convenience. They take a shorter time to set up, and most of them arrive with all components. Nevertheless, a lot of low-cost models are not designed to last. Wooden panels are easily dented, the mesh is weak, or the joints are worn down, requiring repair in less than a year or two.
The size, layout, and quality are under your control with a custom-built chicken coop. Costs usually begin around £800 for a medium coop and can easily exceed £1,500 for larger, insulated versions.
Primarily, its advantage is long-term stability and resilience to design. A builder or carpenter may make use of higher-grade timber, predator-resistant mesh, and weatherproof roofing. It is also possible to modify the design to fit in your garden, and the coop can be put to effective use.
Chickens should have an outdoor area in which to forage and stretch their wings. A secure run, built with wire mesh and sturdy posts, can cost £150 to £500, depending on size.
Laying Chickens need safe and comfortable nesting boxes where they lay their eggs. Adding these to your coop might cost £20–£40 per box, depending on materials.
Ventilation is of paramount importance to prevent moisture and lung problems among chickens. Installing vents or small windows might cost around £20–£40.
Others who keep chickens go to the extent of buying extra facilities like automatic doors; these open and shut at designated times to ensure the safety of hens. These systems cost £100–£200 but provide convenience and peace of mind.
Discarded pallets, excess timber, or roofing sheeting may be available at a cheap price or free of charge. They are as potent as new materials with treatment.
Start with a small coop to economise and have the very basics. You could, of course, add on later in case your flock increases.
There are prefabricated coops, convenient and expensive concerning their quality. A self-build is the least costly and highly customisable.
Invest in wire mesh, roofing, and high-security locks. They save you the expense of repair costs and save your hens.
Visit local farms, manufacturers, or sellers in online markets to get used materials. They are also commonly much cheaper than retail outlets.
The cost to build a chicken coop in the UK depends on size, materials, and whether you choose DIY or professional help. A simple coop for a few hens might cost around £200, while larger, custom-built designs with secure runs and insulation can exceed £1,500. In addition to the initial construction, budget to maintain (clean and feed), bedding, and repair of the coop annually to maintain a clean, safe, functional coop.
With a little planning and reclaimed resources, you can make a coop that is not only affordable but will last a lifetime and keep your chickens comfortable without putting your own finances at risk.
Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.