Use these tips for building a proper chicken coop to make an enclosure that will protect your chickens from inclement weather and predators, while providing them a safe, clean, dry place to roost by night and lay eggs by day.

• Choose quality materials that will withstand the weather and wear and tear from normal use.
  Wood is the typical choice for framing the building and plywood is great for chicken coop walls and floors.
  
• Pick a floor size that is ideal for the number of hens and roosters to be housed in your chicken house.
  If the chickens live in the coop full time, about eight square feet per bird is necessary.
  However, if they have access to the outdoors or free range in the yard, you can get by with half that space or even less if your birds are on the small side.
  
• Follow a design that is both pleasing to the eye -- especially if the hen house will be in a prominent place in your yard -- and practical for your chicken flock.
  If you are raising meat birds, the ideal coop will have different features than if you are keeping a flock for egg laying purposes.
  
• Use fasteners, such as bolts and screws, that can be taken out easily if needed to take down, add on to or repair the coop.
  
• Create roosts out of wooden bars or dowels for your chickens.
  Metal roosting bars are not recommended in cold climates where they can cause the chickens' feet to freeze in severe weather.
  
• Make nesting boxes for hens, about 18 by 18 inches, to give them a quiet, private place to lay eggs comfortably.
  Plan to have about one box for every 2-3 hens.
  
• Build chicken-size doors in the chicken coop, even if you don't plan to use them at first.
  Later on, if you build a mesh-enclosed outdoor scratch yard or decide to let them free range, you can utilize these small openings for the chickens to enter and exit the house at will.
  
• Make sure there are several screen-covered vents in the coop walls, that can be opened or closed as needed to control air flow within the coop.
  Plenty of ventilation is needed during the hot months to keep the chickens comfortable.
  
• Use a couple small windows with screens if the chicken coop is especially large.
  Have them on opposite sides of the building to encourage a cross breeze.
  
• Build a roof angle steep enough that it keeps rain and precipitation from settling on the roof.
  Use materials such as roofing shingles, sheet metal, metal roofing or hard plastic for the roof.
  
• Have your chicken coop put together by a skilled builder.
  If you don't fit the bill, hire somebody who is both experienced and capable.
  Even with paying an hourly rate, you'll still save a good deal of money over buying a pre-built coop new.
  
• Use detailed plans for building a proper chicken coop.