Design explorer / 6 published plans
Choose a coop around the work you do every day. Start with a published plan whose flock range and footprint are known. Shortlist the form first, then look closely at what its daily routine asks of you.
FlockAny flock Small flock Mid flock Larger flock AccessAny access Walk-in Service-side Mobile Run relationshipAny run Attached run Separate outdoor area Mobile system YardAny yard Small yard Medium yard Larger yard 6 plans match
Swipe through the matching plans. Open planning facts only when one direction looks promising.
Plan 01 · exterior reference Published plan / Fixed A-frame exterior service
Fixed A-frame
Flock 3–5 chickens
Footprint 4 × 8 ft shelter + integrated run
Access Exterior service What the day asks of you Service the rear shelter and front run from separate exterior access points
Works well when A small flock and compact yard where exterior service is comfortable and a combined shelter/run envelope is useful.
Watch closely Low roof edges reduce usable reach, so clean-out posture and access matter more than the compact silhouette.
Open planning facts
Style Fixed A-frame
Flock range 3–5 chickens
Example footprint 4 × 8 ft shelter + integrated run
Walk-in No
Mobile No
Run relationship Front integrated run included within the 4 × 8 ft overall envelope
Daily routine Service the rear shelter and front run from separate exterior access points
Best for A small flock and compact yard where exterior service is comfortable and a combined shelter/run envelope is useful.
Main trade-off Low roof edges reduce usable reach, so clean-out posture and access matter more than the compact silhouette.
Material demand Higher relative demand · 3 reviewed system groups Open full planning board The board contains small labels, so it opens at full size instead of being compressed into this card.
Explore this plan Plan 02 · exterior reference Published plan / Compact exterior service
Compact
Flock 3-4 chickens
Footprint 4 x 6 ft
Access Exterior service What the day asks of you Service through planned access and nesting openings
Works well when Smaller flocks and yards where a compact enclosure is the first constraint.
Watch closely Service happens through planned openings rather than a full-height interior aisle.
Open planning facts
Style Compact
Flock range 3-4 chickens
Example footprint 4 x 6 ft
Walk-in No
Mobile No
Run relationship Use the selected yard layout to define the protected outdoor area
Daily routine Service through planned access and nesting openings
Best for Smaller flocks and yards where a compact enclosure is the first constraint.
Main trade-off Service happens through planned openings rather than a full-height interior aisle.
Material demand Higher relative demand · 8 reviewed system groups Open full planning board The board contains small labels, so it opens at full size instead of being compressed into this card.
Explore this plan Plan 03 · exterior reference Published plan / Protected outdoor route
Coop + run
Flock 4-6 chickens
Footprint 6 x 10 ft
Access Exterior service What the day asks of you Service the coop and protected run from a defined access route
Works well when Small-to-mid backyard flocks that need a defined, protected outdoor run.
Watch closely A larger fixed footprint than a compact coop, with less flexibility once the location is chosen.
Open planning facts
Style Coop + run
Flock range 4-6 chickens
Example footprint 6 x 10 ft
Walk-in No
Mobile No
Run relationship Attached covered run included in the 6 x 10 ft overall planning footprint
Daily routine Service the coop and protected run from a defined access route
Best for Small-to-mid backyard flocks that need a defined, protected outdoor run.
Main trade-off A larger fixed footprint than a compact coop, with less flexibility once the location is chosen.
Material demand Higher relative demand · 3 reviewed system groups Open full planning board The board contains small labels, so it opens at full size instead of being compressed into this card.
Explore this plan Plan 04 · exterior reference Published plan / Full-height care access
Walk-in
Flock 6-8 chickens
Footprint 12 x 8 ft
Access Walk-in What the day asks of you Walk in for feeding, eggs and cleaning
Works well when Backyard keepers who value full-height access and a stable cleaning routine.
Watch closely It needs more permanent yard space and material than a compact or mobile direction.
Open planning facts
Style Walk-in
Flock range 6-8 chickens
Example footprint 12 x 8 ft
Walk-in Yes
Mobile No
Run relationship 6 × 8 ft attached run
Daily routine Walk in for feeding, eggs and cleaning
Best for Backyard keepers who value full-height access and a stable cleaning routine.
Main trade-off It needs more permanent yard space and material than a compact or mobile direction.
Material demand Higher relative demand · 4 reviewed system groups Open full planning board The board contains small labels, so it opens at full size instead of being compressed into this card.
Explore this plan Plan 05 · exterior reference Published plan / Move, park and recheck
Mobile tractor
Flock 6-8 chickens
Footprint 4 × 10 ft
Access Mobile What the day asks of you Feed, water, collect eggs and move on a repeatable route
Works well when Keepers with a manageable grass route and a repeatable move, park and recheck routine.
Watch closely Mobility adds route, ground, weather and closure checks to the daily care routine.
Open planning facts
Style Mobile tractor
Flock range 6-8 chickens
Example footprint 4 × 10 ft
Walk-in No
Mobile Yes
Run relationship 4 × 10 ft mobile footprint; confirm the daily movement route and placement area
Daily routine Feed, water, collect eggs and move on a repeatable route
Best for Keepers with a manageable grass route and a repeatable move, park and recheck routine.
Main trade-off Mobility adds route, ground, weather and closure checks to the daily care routine.
Material demand Higher relative demand · 3 reviewed system groups Open full planning board The board contains small labels, so it opens at full size instead of being compressed into this card.
Explore this plan Plan 06 · exterior reference Published plan / Central-aisle care route
Shed-style walk-in
Flock 10-12 chickens
Footprint 8 × 10 ft enclosed coop; outdoor space separate
Access Walk-in What the day asks of you Walk in through the front service door and work from a clear central aisle
Works well when Keepers planning for 10–12 chickens who value walk-in service access, organized care zones and a repeatable cleaning route.
Watch closely The larger enclosed footprint improves access but increases site, bedding-labor, ventilation, drainage and local-review demands.
Open planning facts
Style Shed-style walk-in
Flock range 10-12 chickens
Example footprint 8 × 10 ft enclosed coop; outdoor space separate
Walk-in Yes
Mobile No
Run relationship Outdoor run or protected outdoor space is planned separately from the 8 × 10 ft enclosed coop
Daily routine Walk in through the front service door and work from a clear central aisle
Best for Keepers planning for 10–12 chickens who value walk-in service access, organized care zones and a repeatable cleaning route.
Main trade-off The larger enclosed footprint improves access but increases site, bedding-labor, ventilation, drainage and local-review demands.
Material demand Higher relative demand · 3 reviewed system groups Open full planning board The board contains small labels, so it opens at full size instead of being compressed into this card.
Explore this plan Swipe through three daily-care close-ups.
Daily-use close-up · 3-4 chickens 01 Reach every care zone from outside
Compact exterior-service route Service through planned access and nesting openings
Question to carry into the yard Service happens through planned openings rather than a full-height interior aisle.
Trace this routine in the plan Daily-use close-up · 6-8 chickens 02 Keep a standing aisle clear
Walk-in daily-care route Walk in for feeding, eggs and cleaning
Question to carry into the yard It needs more permanent yard space and material than a compact or mobile direction.
Trace this routine in the plan Daily-use close-up · 6-8 chickens 03 Make the yard route part of the choice
Tractor move-and-recheck route Feed, water, collect eggs and move on a repeatable route
Question to carry into the yard Mobility adds route, ground, weather and closure checks to the daily care routine.
Trace this routine in the plan Practical guide
Need the full planning package? Each Reference Plan adds a longer layout, visual and planning context. These are planning references rather than construction-ready blueprints.
Browse all Reference Plans 
Plan 01 · exterior reference
