Large stilt coop with covered space underneath
- Coop 8' x 6' · 48 sq ft floor
- 120 sq ft run · 6' 2 7/8" tall
- Economy $1,144–$1,934 · Durable $1,492–$2,564
Chicken coop plans for 12 hens
12 hens need at least 48 sq ft of coop floor (4 sq ft per hen) and 120 sq ft of run (10 per hen), 3 nest boxes and 120 in of roost. Our first pick is the large stilt coop with covered space underneath: 8' x 6', about $1,144–$1,934 in Economy materials.
How much space do 12 chickens need?
- Coop floor (with run)
- 48 sq ft
- Run
- 120 sq ft
- Nest boxes
- 3
- Roost bar
- 120 in
Without a run, plan 120 sq ft of coop floor. Sources: Chicken coop guide (creatures.com), Converting a shed into a chicken coop (Farmers' Almanac). More in our space guide.
Two coop plans for 12 hens
Walk-in coop with attached run
- Coop 8' x 6' · 48 sq ft floor
- 120 sq ft run · 7' 9 3/8" tall
- Economy $1,233–$2,076 · Durable $1,606–$2,747
Picked by our "Choose for me" for a 40 x 40 ft lawn. In the free preview you can pick any two models that fit your yard.
What materials do you need?
Part of the shopping list of the large stilt coop with covered space underneath for 12 hens (27 lines in the full plan):
| Item | Size | Qty | Est. total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2x4 lumber | 8' | 36 | $126.00–$198.00 |
| 4x4 pressure-treated lumber | 12' | 4 | $80.00–$128.00 |
| 1/2" OSB | 4' x 8' sheet | 6 | $84.00–$144.00 |
| 3/4" OSB | 4' x 8' sheet | 2 | $48.00–$76.00 |
| 1/2" hardware cloth | 24" wide x 100' roll | 1 | $80.00–$130.00 |
| 1/2" hardware cloth | 48" wide x 100' roll | 1 | $150.00–$240.00 |
| 3-tab asphalt shingles | bundle | 3 | $90.00–$135.00 |
| #9 x 3" exterior screws, 5 lb box (zinc) | pack | 2 | $50.00–$80.00 |
| 1" screws with washers (mesh), box of 200 | pack | 4 | $40.00–$80.00 |
- Step 1: Set the foundation
- Step 2: Build the floor
- Step 3: Frame the walls
- Step 4: Build the roof
- Step 5: Add siding and vents
- Step 6: Hang doors and ramp
- Step 7: Install roost and nest boxes
- Step 8: Build the run
3D preview
Which coop models fit 12 hens?
- Stilt coop with egg hatchStilt coop with egg hatch is for up to 6 hens.
- Large stilt coop with covered space underneath8' x 6' · $1,144–$1,934
- Walk-in coop with attached run8' x 6' · $1,233–$2,076
- Portable chicken tractorPortable chicken tractor is for up to 6 hens.
- Large shed coop with long run12' x 4' · $1,533–$2,502
- Gable farmhouse coop6' x 8' · $1,362–$2,253
- Small minimal coopSmall minimal coop is for up to 4 hens.
- Low-slope modern coopLow-slope modern coop is for up to 6 hens.
4 of 8 models are available for 12 hens.
Coop for 12 hens: questions
How big should a chicken coop be for 12 hens?
At least 48 sq ft of floor when the hens also have a run, or 120 sq ft if they stay inside all day. Add 120 sq ft of run.
How much does it cost to build a coop for 12 chickens?
For the plans on this page, estimated materials are $1,144–$2,564 (Large stilt coop with covered space underneath) and $1,233–$2,747 (Walk-in coop with attached run), from Economy to Durable materials.
How many nest boxes do 12 hens need?
3: one 12 x 12 in box for every 4 hens.
How long does it take to build a coop for 12 hens?
The large stilt coop with covered space underneath plan estimates 18-30 hours (three weekends, with one helper).
Start this project
Both plans sized for 12 hens and your own yard, free in 3D.