Raising backyard chickens is becoming very popular for fresh eggs and wholesome meat. To keep your flock healthy and productive, you need to provide them with a secure, durable coop.
Building your coop on a concrete foundation and floor offers distinct advantages over other materials.
Here is a complete step-by-step guide to building a chicken coop entirely with concrete.
Plan and Design Your Coop
Before mixing any cement, you need to plan out your coop design:
- Determine how many chickens you want to house. The general rule is 3-4 square feet per bird inside the coop, with 8-10 square feet per chicken in the outdoor run area.
- Choose the overall size and layout of your coop. Popular dimensions range from a small 4x8 coop up to 8x12 for larger flocks.
- Decide how many nesting boxes, perches, and interior fixtures you need. You should have one next box for every 2-3 hens.
- Make sure to include doors, windows, and vents in your plan for proper airflow and accessibility.
- Consider easy access to the nest boxes, perches, and for cleaning out litter.
- Determine what size outdoor run you need, if you choose to build one.
Draft up your coop blueprints with dimensions. This will tell you how much concrete and other supplies you need to purchase.
Choose Your Concrete and Supplies
For constructing your coop, you'll need:
- Concrete - Use a high strength pre-mixed concrete designed for exterior slabs and foundations.
- Lumber - Rot resistant wood like cedar or pressure treated pine. Avoid chemically treated wood indoors.
- Reinforcement - Rebar or welded wire mesh helps strengthen the concrete and control cracking.
- Fasteners - Corrosion resistant screws, nails, hinges, latches, and anchors for framing and hardware.
- Roofing Material - Corrugated metal is an affordable and durable roofing choice.
- Hopper Windows - Install ventilation windows to provide airflow without drafts.
- Paint - Protect your coop inside and out with exterior grade paint or stain.
Make sure you have all necessary tools like a mixer, trowels, level, post-hole digger and staple gun before starting.
Prepare the Site for Concrete Work
Choose a dry, sunny site with good drainage to build your coop. Follow these steps to prep the area:
- Remove any grass or debris and level the ground.
- Dig a trench 12 inches deep around the perimeter of the slab to contain the concrete once poured.
- Add gravel and 4-6 inch concrete footers to the trenches for extra stability.
- Install rebar or wire mesh 2-3 inches from the bottom of the trenches and stub it up from the footers. This reinforces the edges.
- Cover the interior coop area with 6 mil plastic sheeting to control moisture and prevent soil mixing into the concrete.
Thorough site preparation provides a solid foundation for years of service from your concrete coop.
Mixing and Pouring Concrete
With your forms and site prepped, it's time to mix and pour your slab:
- Mix multiple batches of concrete according to package directions. Don't make it too wet or dry.
- Pour the mixed concrete into the perimeter trench forms first. Work up to the interior slab area.
- Shovel and rake concrete into all areas 2-3 inches deep, then screed to level.
- Compact and smooth the surface with a float trowel for a durable finish.
- Slope the floor just slightly toward the door for drainage.
- Wet cure the concrete for 5-7 days, keeping it damp. Avoid walking on it during this time.
Allow the concrete to cure fully for at least 2-3 weeks before building on it. This results in maximum strength.
Construct the Coop Frame
Once your concrete foundation has cured, you can start framing the walls and roof:
- Anchor treated base plates to the slab perimeter using masonry anchors or tapcons.
- Assemble the wall frames lying flat using screws or nails. Follow standard stud wall framing techniques.
- Tilt up each wall frame one by one and anchor to the base plate. Brace them temporarily.
- Check corners with a framing square to ensure they are 90 degrees.
- Install the back wall and then front wall with door opening and nest box openings.
- Add roof rafters and interior roosting poles as needed.
- Sheath the roof and exterior walls as desired, leaving openings for windows.
Add Ventilation and Exterior Trim
Proper airflow keeps your flock healthy, so include ventilation:
- Frame out the window openings then attach hardware cloth behind them.
- Install trim boards around windows and doors to protect the edges.
- Add hopper style windows to let air flow in even when closed.
- Install a cupola or other roof vent to allow hot air to escape.
- On the exterior, trim boards give a finished look and protect hardware cloth edges.
Install Interior Elements
The interior coop fixtures keep your chickens comfortable, safe, clean and productive:
- Create nesting boxes along the wall with a perching rail above or in front. Provide 1 box per 2-3 hens.
- Install roosting poles spaced 12-14 inches apart for easy footing. Place them 2-3 feet off the floor.
- Add a feeder and waterer near the door for easy filling access.
- Hang a feed storage bin, hooks for supplies, and add lights for winter egg production.
- Place 4-6 inches of wood shavings or straw litter over the floor, avoiding hay which can grow mold.
Mix and Pour Concrete for the Outdoor Run
An outdoor run allows your chickens room to roam safely. Build it just like the coop slab:
- Prepare the run area as you did for the coop, with perimeter forms and site prep.
- Mix and pour concrete over the run area 4-6 inches thick. Slope it away from the coop.
- Allow the run slab to cure fully before allowing chick access.
- Set posts into the concrete around the perimeter and attach 1-inch mesh fencing to enclose the run.
- Add a concrete lip along the bottom to prevent digging predators.
With the coop and run built, your chickens have a safe and durable home! Maintain the concrete well and your coop will last for decades.
Helpful Concrete Chicken Coop Tips
Follow these additional tips when building your concrete chicken coop:
- Cure concrete fully before building on it or letting chickens access it. This takes 2-4 weeks.
- Seal all gaps, cracks, and post sleeves with caulk or expanding foam to prevent moisture intrusion.
- Use tapcons or concrete anchors to attach framing and fixtures to the slab.
- Add concrete sealer or epoxy paint for an extra moisture barrier on interior slabs.
- Control cracking by scoring joints or including wire mesh reinforcement.
- Slope floors toward doors and use vapor barriers under slabs to prevent dampness issues.
- Avoid using treated wood that contains arsenic or direct contact with soil inside the coop.
- Letting concrete cure slowly with wet burlap for the first week leads to greatest strength.
- Check for cracks annually and repair them quickly with caulk or epoxy to prevent damage.
Additional Concrete Chicken Coop Considerations
When building a concrete chicken coop, there are a few other important factors to consider beyond the basic construction.
Concrete Thickness and Reinforcement
The concrete floor slab of a chicken coop usually ranges from 4-6 inches thick. Using wire mesh or rebar reinforcement helps prevent cracking and strengthens the concrete.
Waterproofing and Drainage
It's important to waterproof concrete to prevent moisture issues. Installing a vapor barrier under the slab and using a concrete sealer are good options. Proper drainage around the coop is also key.
Preventing and Repairing Cracks
Minor concrete cracking is common as it cures and ages. Control joints can help. Seal cracks with caulk or epoxy to prevent moisture and pest access.
Insulation
Adding insulation to a concrete coop will help moderate interior temperatures year-round. Rigid foam boards, fiberglass batts, or spray foam work well.
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of concrete is a valid concern. Using some recycled aggregate and allowing proper curing reduces this impact.
Alternatives to Concrete
Some alternatives to concrete for coop floors include gravel, sand, or wood. Each has pros and cons to weigh.
Pros and Cons
It's good to weigh the pros and cons of concrete coops to make an informed decision. The durability and pest protection are major benefits.
Coop Size
Consider the size and layout of your coop when planning a concrete build. This impacts the amount of concrete needed.
Concrete Thickness
The standard concrete thickness for a coop floor is 4-6 inches. Thicker concrete is more durable but requires more concrete.
Ongoing Maintenance
Properly maintaining a concrete coop with sealing, cleaning, inspections, and prompt crack repairs will keep it performing well for decades.
Building with concrete requires more labor upfront, but the result is a coop that will last for decades with proper care. Your chickens will thank you for the sturdy, healthy home!
FAQs
How thick should the concrete floor be for a chicken coop?
The typical thickness for a concrete coop floor is 4-6 inches. Thicker concrete is more durable but requires more concrete mix. Add wire mesh or rebar to reinforce it.
What kind of lumber should be used to build the frame of a concrete chicken coop?
Use rot-resistant wood like cedar or pressure treated pine. Avoid chemically treated wood inside the coop. Hardwoods like oak are also very durable.
Does a concrete chicken coop need insulation?
Yes, adding insulation helps moderate interior temps. Rigid foam boards, fiberglass batts, or spray foam can be installed on the walls and ceiling. Avoid fiberglass on the floor where chickens can peck at it.