Backyard chicken keeping is a fulfilling hobby that's growing in popularity. Housing your flock in a safe, comfortable coop is key to their health and productivity.
When constructing a new chicken coop, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right building materials.
A concrete chicken coop has some unique benefits, but also downsides to consider before construction.
The Pros of Concrete as a Chicken Coop Building Material
There are many good reasons to select concrete as the primary material for your DIY or custom built chicken coop:
Extreme Durability
Concrete is highly resistant to all kinds of deterioration and damage. A properly constructed concrete coop can easily last 50-100 years with minimal maintenance required. T
he longevity offsets higher initial construction costs. Concrete won't rot, warp, bend, dent or corrode over time.
It provides unmatched stability and resilience compared to wood, plastic or metal coop alternatives. You can count on a concrete coop to endure decades of daily use and elemental exposure while protecting your flock.
Resistance to Pests and Predators
The thick, impenetrable walls of concrete prevent entry from all types of pests and predators. Raccoons, weasels, rats, snakes and more won't be able to chew or claw their way through solid concrete.
You can be sure your chickens and eggs will stay safely secured inside. Concrete construction provides a literal fortress against persistent local predators and pests who might harass your coop.
Adding wire mesh under the foundation can further deter burrowing entrance attempts.
Minimal Maintenance Needs
Once constructed, a concrete chicken coop requires very little annual maintenance compared to other options.
It won't need staining, sealing, weather treatment or other upkeep to maintain its integrity and appearance. You can simply wash or pressure wash the smooth concrete surfaces as needed to remove grime.
The sturdy construction stands up to years of scratching, pecking and heavy use without showing wear and tear.
A concrete coop will save you time on repairs or replacements for decades to come.
Improved Cleanliness and Hygiene
The non-porous, seamless surface of concrete makes cleaning and disinfection simple. There are no cracks or wood grains for dirt, bacteria, molds or parasites to hide.
Just dilute some bleach or other disinfectant and wash out the interior as needed. The concrete construction helps promote improved hygiene and healthy chickens.
Proper coop hygiene is essential for backyard flocks, making concrete an ideal choice.
Thermal Mass for Temperature Regulation
Concrete has thermal mass which helps maintain comfortable interior temperatures within the coop.
The concrete walls will soak up warmth from sunlight during the day. Then slowly release the stored heat at night to keep the coop insulated.
This moderates temperature swings, keeping it cooler on hot summer days and warmer during cold winters.
Happy chickens lay more eggs, so stabilizing the coop temperature is beneficial.
Customizable Design Options
Concrete can be poured and formed into just about any shape or configuration you can dream up for your coop. You can stain or paint concrete for color options.
Stamped detailing can add decorative touches and visual interest. Concrete is very versatile to create a coop suited to your flock's needs and your own sense of style.
From modern and sleek to rustic country themes, concrete can be adapted to match.
Can Last for Generations
With proper construction and care, your concrete chicken coop can be an investment that will serve your family for generations.
Many decades from now you may be passing along your cherished coop to children or grandchildren who want to carry on the backyard chicken hobby.
Very few coop materials match the lifelong durability of concrete. Building in concrete is choosing a structure that will house chickens indefinitely into the future.
The Cons and Limitations of Concrete Chicken Coops
Despite its advantages, concrete does have some downsides to weigh when planning a chicken coop construction or renovation:
Heavy and Permanent
One major limitation is that concrete structures cannot be moved once poured and set. The extreme weight and permanent connection to the ground makes relocating impossible.
Make sure your coop's concrete foundation is poured in the exact site you want it to remain indefinitely.
If you think you may want to rotate coops around your property, concrete limits your flexibility.
Specialized Construction Skills Required
Properly working with concrete requires some construction experience and techniques. Creating wooden forms, pouring and smoothing concrete, appropriate curing times all involve specific expertise.
Novices can certainly learn these skills with enough research. But concrete is more complex than basic wood building.
Consider taking a class or hiring a concrete contractor if attempting concrete coop construction as a beginner.
Potential Thermal Expansion and Cracking
While durable, concrete can develop small cracks over years of freeze/thaw cycles, ground movement and thermal expansion.
Minor hairline cracks usually don't compromise the strength but should be sealed to prevent moisture intrusion and further cracking.
Avoiding overly thin poured sections can help minimize this risk. But some minor concrete cracking may still occur and require repair even in thick coop walls and floors.
Potential Condensation and Ventilation Issues
The tight air seal and lack of breathability in concrete can sometimes cause moisture build up, condensation dripping and inadequate airflow.
Careful engineering and construction is required to ensure enough properly positioned ventilation gaps, windows and air circulation pathways.
Chickens require fresh flowing air so condensation control in a concrete coop is imperative.
Footing Support and Drainage Considerations
The heavy weight and stationary nature of concrete coops make a stable, packed footing essential.
Settlement or sinking due to soft soils, erosion or wetness can destabilize the coop over time.
Soil preparation, foundation depth, and drainage around the coop all need attention to prevent moisture issues. The location and soil stability must be assessed upfront.
Not Ideal for Small Backyards
Substantial excavation, forms, and a poured concrete foundation are required when building a concrete block coop.
This permanent structure also dominates whatever space it occupies. For these reasons, concrete may not be the best choice for tiny urban lots or apartment backyards where smaller, more portable coops are preferable.
Higher Upfront Costs Compared to Wood
The expenses involved with concrete work makes it one of the more costly chicken coop material options.
The forms, concrete materials, potential excavation work, finishing, and contractor or equipment fees all add up.
The long term payoff is there thanks to exceptional durability and lifespan. But construction costs for a concrete coop will exceed basic wood framed coop alternatives.
Appearance Can Be Cold and Industrial
Some owners may not find the thick utilitarian look of concrete visually appealing for their backyard.
Without decorative stamping, paint, ornamentation or landscaping, concrete coops can seem stark and out of place.
The solid concrete walls also block views into the coop interior if transparency and visibility are desired features.
Difficult to Modify or Expand Later
A major downside is that altering the footprint, size or access points of your concrete coop after construction is extremely difficult.
Cutting new windows or doors into cured concrete walls takes specialized tools. Expanding the footprint requires significant demolition and reconstruction work.
Concrete's inflexibility makes it harder to adapt the coop as your flock evolves compared to modular wood coop options.
Key Questions to Consider About Concrete for Your Chicken Coop Plans
Before committing to a concrete chicken coop build, reflect on these key questions:
- Is this definitely a permanent coop location on my property?
- Do I have the construction skills and tools needed to work with concrete or can I hire a concrete contractor?
- Have I accounted for the higher cost in my chicken coop budget?
- Does my design plan for adequate ventilation and condensation control?
- Is the appearance of concrete suitable for my backyard?
- Can I access the build site for concrete deliveries?
- Is my flock likely to expand soon requiring a larger coop?
Answering these will help assess if concrete meets your needs and is the right chicken coop construction choice for your situation.
More Resources on Concrete Chicken Coops
An overview of the pros and cons of concrete as a chicken coop building material. Consider the advantages and limitations before deciding on concrete construction.
Proper construction technique is crucial to create a coop that will hold up over time. This guide covers important tips when building a chicken coop with concrete. Planning issues like site prep, foundation, forms, and pouring concrete are detailed to ensure success.
Maintaining a concrete coop properly will keep it looking and performing as intended for decades. Get tips on regular maintenance tasks like sealing, checking for cracks, cleaning, and more for concrete chicken coops. Don't let small issues go unchecked.
The thickness of the concrete walls impacts durability and insulation. Learn about concrete thickness recommendations for chicken coop walls, foundations, and floors. Thicker concrete improves strength and temperature regulation.
Strategies like added fiber reinforcement, rebar grids, and control joints can help strengthen concrete coop walls and prevent cracks from forming. Cracks compromise insulation and moisture resistance.
Moisture intrusion can damage concrete over time. Waterproofing options like sealers, coatings, and drainage are important to keep the coop protected from wetness and condensation.
While durable, concrete cracks still need monitoring and sealant repairs. Prevention starts during pouring and curing. But promptly sealing any cracks is crucial.
The environmental impact of concrete construction is worth considering. This guide addresses concrete's high embodied energy and potential green building alternatives.
Proper insulation helps moderate internal concrete coop temperatures. Get insulation recommendations for concrete chicken coops in cold or hot climates.
If the drawbacks of concrete construction don't work for your plans, alternative coop building materials like wood and metal have their own pros and cons to weigh.
Researching these key topics will help you build, maintain, and enhance a long-lasting concrete chicken coop suited to your climate and flock.
Let me know if you need any other concrete construction or care taking advice!
FAQS
How does a concrete coop's durability compare to wood or metal coops?
Concrete coops are vastly more durable and longer-lasting than wood or metal coops. Properly constructed, a concrete coop can last over 50 years with minimal maintenance required.
Wood coops usually need replacing every 5-10 years as the wood deteriorates. Metal coops can start to show corrosion and rust in as little as 3-5 years.
Concrete won't rot, warp, bend, dent or corrode over time like other materials. This unmatched durability offsets the higher initial cost.
Does a concrete coop's weight and permanence make it a poor choice for rental homes?
Yes, the extreme weight and permanence of concrete coops do make them a poor choice for rental homes or any space where you may want to relocate them.
Wooden coops are far better for rentals since they can be disassembled and moved when needed. The inability to relocate a concrete coop limits placement flexibility.
Unless you plan to occupy the home long term, a lighter wooden coop likely makes more sense for rentals.
Why are ventilation and condensation more problematic in concrete versus wood coops?
The impermeable concrete walls and surfaces make it easier for moisture to build up and condense inside a concrete coop, leading to ventilation issues.
The lack of breathability in concrete means care must be taken to engineer adequate airflow openings. Wood is more porous and allows some moisture diffusion through the walls.
Concrete requires meticulous ventilation gaps and air circulation planning to avoid problems. Managing ventilation is key for healthy chickens in a concrete coop.
Conclusion
Concrete chicken coops offer unmatched longevity, strength, pest resistance and low maintenance qualities.
But the material does have some drawbacks like permanence, ventilation challenges, and construction complexity.
Overall, concrete can create an incredibly durable and secure forever home for backyard chickens when built correctly.
Just carefully weigh the pros and cons before pouring your coop foundation. With good planning, you can reap the benefits of concrete construction for decades to come.