Chicken coops for backyard hens
A coop has three jobs: stay dry, keep foxes out and clean out quickly. Many cheap wooden coops are sized for fewer hens than the box claims, so plan for two or three birds in a small coop. In England and Wales you must register your birds with the government within a month of getting them, even if you keep only a few hens.
Cocoon 3000WX 8ft coop with run
Wooden coop with a built-in run and pull-out tray
£220 at Amazon · 4 stars (243)
Cocoon 3000XWR compact coop
Smaller coop with a covered run and opening roof
£230 at Amazon · 4.2 stars (84)
FeelGoodUK Coop House, large
Popular wooden coop with hundreds of reviews
£180 at Amazon · 4 stars (554)
PawHut coop with run
Cheaper coop with nesting box and run
£140 at Amazon · 4 stars (144)
Prices and ratings from Amazon.co.uk when we checked. Affiliate links. We have not tested these ourselves.
What to look for
- Look for a pull-out droppings tray. It saves you work every week.
- Foxes dig and pull at thin mesh. Use strong welded mesh on the run and bury it at the edges.
- Red mite hides in cracks in wooden coops. Check the perches and corners often and treat them.
- Register as a poultry keeper on gov.uk if you live in England or Wales. Scotland has its own scheme.