8 Best Free Chicken Coop Plans for 13–20 Chickens
Keeping a flock of 13 to 20 chickens changes what you need from a coop. At this size, access, ventilation, roosting space, nesting areas, cleaning, and protected outdoor space matter a lot more than they do with a small backyard flock. A design can look roomy on paper and still become frustrating if you have to squeeze through narrow doors, reach awkward corners, or constantly work around crowded interior space.
For this guide, we compared eight free chicken coop plans from EasyCoops.com that fit larger backyard flocks. We looked beyond the published capacity and compared footprint, walk-in access, enclosed run space, nesting and roosting arrangements, build difficulty, mobility, weather protection, and how practical each design appears for everyday chicken keeping. Some prioritize maximum outdoor space, while others focus on a compact hen house or a more complete coop-and-run setup.
Backyard Chicken Project independently reviewed and compared these designs using the free plans provided by Easy Coops. The free PDFs include step-by-step instructions and illustrations for the build, while Easy Coops' premium versions add expanded materials and cutting lists, extra drawings and blueprints, tool and fastener lists, and technical support. If you want to explore the premium options, you can visit EasyCoops.com here.
🔍 How We Compared These Chicken Coop Plans
Published bird capacity is only one part of choosing a coop for a larger flock. We also looked at how much usable space the design provides, whether an adult can comfortably enter for cleaning, how protected the birds are from weather and predators, and whether the layout gives chickens enough room to move between roosting, nesting, and outdoor areas without creating unnecessary bottlenecks.
We also considered the build itself. Larger chicken coops can require more lumber, more hardware, heavier roofing, stronger foundations, and more time than smaller backyard designs. A plan with a large footprint may offer excellent day-to-day usability, but it can also demand more yard space and a bigger construction budget. Our rankings balance those tradeoffs rather than rewarding size alone.
What we compared:
🐔 Flock fit - how well the current published capacity matches a flock of 13-20 chickens
🧹 Access & cleaning - walk-in access, doors, trays, and ease of maintenance
📐 Space efficiency - how much usable chicken space the footprint provides
🏡 Protection & features - runs, nesting areas, roosts, ventilation, and weather protection
🔨 Build difficulty - how realistic the project appears for a typical DIY builder
🏆 Quick Picks
If you want the strongest all-around design, the 8×16 Medium Chicken Coop & Run is our early favorite because it combines a dedicated hen house, attached protected run, walk-in access, nesting space, and a footprint that feels substantial without becoming enormous. The 10×12 Simple Chicken Coop With Run is another strong all-in-one option, while the 10×16 Modern Chicken Coop gives a larger flock more room in a clean, contemporary layout.
For people who care more about outdoor space, the 9×42 Extra Large Chicken Run is in a completely different class, while the 8×20 and 10×20 chicken runs give you long protected enclosures without requiring a giant enclosed hen house. If your priority is a more traditional standalone house, the 8×12 All-Weather Chicken House and 6×8 Hen House deserve a closer look.
🏅 BEST OVERALL - 8×16 MEDIUM CHICKEN COOP & RUN
🏡 BEST ALL-IN-ONE - 10×12 SIMPLE CHICKEN COOP WITH RUN
🚪 BEST MODERN WALK-IN DESIGN - 10×16 MODERN CHICKEN COOP
🌿 BEST LONG RUN - 8×20 CHICKEN RUN
🌦️ BEST WEATHER-PROTECTED HEN HOUSE - 8×12 ALL-WEATHER CHICKEN HOUSE
📐 BEST COMPACT HEN HOUSE - 6×8 HEN HOUSE
🐔 BEST FOR MAXIMUM ROAMING SPACE - 9×42 EXTRA LARGE CHICKEN RUN
🔒 BEST LARGE SECURE RUN - 10×20 CHICKEN RUN
📊 Chicken Coop Plan Comparison
| Chicken Coop Plan | Capacity | Footprint | Difficulty | Est. Material Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8×16 Medium Chicken Coop & Run | 20 chickens | 8×16 | Intermediate | $4,650 | Best Overall |
| 10×12 Simple Chicken Run Plans | 16 chickens | 10×12 | Intermediate | $3,700 | Best All-in-One |
| 10×16 Modern Walk-In Chicken Run | 16 chickens | 10×16 | Intermediate | $5,075 | Best Modern Walk-In Design |
| 8×20 Chicken Run Plans | 16 chickens | 8×20 | Medium | $1,950 | Best Long Run |
| 8×12 All-Weather Chicken House | 20 chickens | 8×12 | Intermediate | $3,725 | Best Weather-Protected Hen House |
| 6×8 Hen House | 20 chickens | 6×8 | Beginner friendly | — | Best Compact Hen House |
| 9×42 Extra Large Chicken Run | 20 chickens | 9×42 | Beginner friendly | $8,250 | Best for Maximum Roaming Space |
| 10×20 Chicken Run Plans | 20 chickens | 10×20 | Medium | $2,200 | Best Large Secure Run |
🥇 1. 8×16 Medium Chicken Coop & Run - Best Overall
The 8×16 Medium Chicken Coop & Run earns our Best Overall spot because it gives a flock of up to 20 chickens a practical mix of enclosed housing, protected run space, walk-in access, nesting space, and elevated roosting areas without jumping into the truly massive footprints of some of the larger designs. Easy Coops currently lists it for 20 chickens with a 128-square-foot footprint, intermediate difficulty, and an estimated material cost of about $4,650. The current plan page also describes the layout as roughly half chicken house and half run, with two adult-size access doors that should make cleaning, feeding, and general maintenance much easier.
The free plan itself backs up why this design feels more complete than a basic enclosed run. It includes an aviary section with its own framed wire-mesh door, a separate chicken door built into the interior wall, a window, and a protruding nesting setup; Easy Coops' current page specifies six nesting compartments and high roosting bars inside the house. That combination makes this one of the better-balanced designs in the group for someone who wants a single structure that handles shelter, laying, roosting, and protected outdoor space together. The trade-off is that this is still a substantial intermediate build, so it makes the most sense for someone with enough permanent yard space and who is comfortable taking on a larger construction project.
🐔 Best for: Larger backyard flocks that need an all-in-one coop and run
📐 Footprint: 8×16
🐓 Published capacity: 20 chickens
🔨 Build difficulty: Intermediate
💰 Est. material cost: $4,650
⭐ Standout feature: Separate enclosed house and protected run with walk-in access
🪺 Other features: Six nesting compartments, elevated roosts, window, adult-size access doors, separate chicken door
⚠️ Keep in mind: Requires a fairly large permanent footprint and more construction work than the smaller designs
👉 View the complete free 8×16 Medium Chicken Coop & Run PDF plan
🏡 2. 10×12 Simple Chicken Coop With Run - Best All-in-One
The 10×12 Simple Chicken Coop With Run is one of the strongest choices in this group for someone who wants the shelter and protected outdoor area built into one compact structure. The current plan is rated for 16 chickens, and the layout gives the flock an enclosed house on one side with a wire-covered run on the other instead of treating those as two separate projects. That makes it especially appealing for a backyard keeper who wants a larger-flock setup without committing to the enormous footprint of the 9×42 or 10×20 designs.
The free plan also shows several practical details that make this more than just a basic box-and-run build. It includes a dedicated chicken door, multiple insulated front access doors, and four nesting-box assemblies, which gives you much better day-to-day access for cleaning, collecting eggs, and managing the birds. The trade-off is that this is still a fairly involved build with a foundation, framed walls, roofing, siding, hardware, and a substantial amount of enclosure work, so I would not treat it like a quick weekend project even though the finished footprint is relatively manageable for a 16-bird setup.
🐔 Best for: Larger backyard flocks that need a complete coop-and-run setup
📐 Footprint: 10×12
🐓 Published capacity: 16 chickens
🔨 Build difficulty: Intermediate
💰 Est. material cost: $3,700
⭐ Standout feature: Enclosed hen house and protected run in one compact footprint
🪺 Other features: Four nesting-box assemblies, separate chicken door, multiple front access doors, enclosed run
⚠️ Keep in mind: More construction-intensive than a simple standalone hen house
👉 View the complete free 10×12 Simple Chicken Coop With Run PDF plan
🚪 3. 10×16 Modern Walk-In Chicken Run - Best Modern Walk-In Design
The 10×16 Modern Walk-In Chicken Run is the roomiest of the more polished all-in-one designs in this group, and the current Easy Coops listing rates it for 16 chickens. Its biggest strength is access: the plan uses a tall walk-in layout with two large doors, one serving the run and the other the enclosed chicken house, so cleaning, collecting eggs, and moving supplies should be far easier than with a low-profile coop. The current listing also specifies a roughly 10×16 run footprint, a separate enclosed house, intermediate difficulty, and an estimated materials cost of about $5,075.
The free PDF shows why this one earns the "modern walk-in" label rather than just being a large box. It includes a full-height insulated front door, an interior wall with a dedicated chicken opening, and a substantial roost assembly inside the enclosed section. The current Easy Coops page also lists generous nesting capacity and predator-resistant hardware-cloth framing. The trade-off is straightforward: this is one of the more expensive and construction-heavy options in the roundup, and the 10×16 footprint demands real yard space, so it makes the most sense for someone who values walk-in convenience and a more finished permanent setup over compactness.
🐔 Best for: Larger backyard flocks where walk-in access and easy maintenance are priorities
📐 Footprint: 10×16
🐓 Published capacity: 16 chickens
🔨 Build difficulty: Intermediate
💰 Est. material cost: $5,075
⭐ Standout feature: Two large walk-in access doors serving the run and enclosed house
🪺 Other features: Enclosed house, dedicated chicken door, roosting assembly, nesting space, predator-resistant mesh framing
⚠️ Keep in mind: Higher material cost and a larger permanent footprint than most other plans in this guide
👉 View the complete free 10×16 Modern Walk-In Chicken Run PDF plan
🌿 4. 8×20 Chicken Run Plans - Best Long Run
The 8×20 Chicken Run is a strong choice for keepers who already have-or plan to add-a separate hen house and want to give a larger flock significantly more protected outdoor space. This version is rated for up to 16 chickens, with a long 160-square-foot footprint that gives birds room to spread out instead of concentrating activity in a small square run. Easy Coops currently lists this 16-chicken version as a medium-difficulty build with an estimated material cost of about $1,950, making it notably less expensive than the full coop-and-run structures in this roundup.
The free plan shows a substantial framed enclosure rather than a lightweight temporary pen. The structure uses 2×4 and 4×4 framing, includes a full-size doorway in the front wall, and carries a nearly 20-foot-long PBR metal-panel roof with flashing around the edges. The plans also call for placing nesting boxes and roosting bars inside, giving builders some flexibility in how they use the protected space. Its biggest limitation is that it is primarily a run design, so someone starting from zero will still need to think carefully about enclosed nighttime shelter and weather protection. For a keeper whose main problem is simply giving 13-16 chickens more secure room to move, though, this is one of the most practical designs in the group.
🐔 Best for: Flocks that need a long, protected outdoor roaming area
📐 Footprint: 8×20
🐓 Published capacity: 16 chickens
🔨 Build difficulty: Medium
💰 Est. material cost: $1,950
⭐ Standout feature: 160 square feet of long, protected run space
🏠 Other features: Full-size entry opening, sturdy wood framing, metal-panel roof, room for roosts and nesting boxes
⚠️ Keep in mind: Primarily a chicken run rather than a complete enclosed hen house
👉 View the complete free 8×20 Chicken Run PDF plan
🌦️ 5. 8×12 All-Weather Chicken House - Best Weather-Protected Hen House
The 8×12 All-Weather Chicken House stands out for keepers who want a substantial enclosed shelter rather than another oversized run. Easy Coops currently rates the design for 20 chickens, with a 96-square-foot footprint, intermediate difficulty, and an estimated material cost of about $3,725. The current plan page describes it as a raised, shed-style coop with predator-resistant construction and weather-focused protection, which makes it a better fit for someone whose priority is giving a larger flock a dry, secure place to roost and lay rather than maximizing attached outdoor space.
The free PDF shows several practical details that support that use case. It includes four windows for natural light, a large multi-compartment nesting box, a dedicated roost assembly, asphalt-shingle roofing, and a chicken-sized entry along with human access for cleaning and egg collection. The current Easy Coops page lists 10 nesting boxes and specifically notes that this design does not include a run, so you'll need a separate secure outdoor area or a safe yard for daytime access. That trade-off is important, but for a keeper who already has a run or fenced space, this is one of the strongest standalone housing options in the roundup.
🐔 Best for: Larger flocks that need a secure, weather-protected standalone hen house
📐 Footprint: 8×12
🐓 Published capacity: 20 chickens
🔨 Build difficulty: Intermediate
💰 Est. material cost: $3,725
⭐ Standout feature: Fully enclosed, weather-focused housing for a larger flock
🪺 Other features: 10 nesting boxes, four windows, roosting area, chicken door, walk-in human access, asphalt-shingle roof
⚠️ Keep in mind: No attached run, so birds will need separate secure outdoor space
👉 View the complete free 8×12 All-Weather Chicken House PDF plan
📐 6. 6×8 Hen House - Best Compact Hen House
The 6×8 Hen House is the most space-efficient standalone shelter in this group for a larger flock. Easy Coops currently lists this design for 20 chickens, and that capacity is what we'd use here rather than the older free PDF's 24-bird figure. The design packs a surprising amount into a 48-square-foot footprint: a full-height front door, four windows, nesting space on both side walls, and dedicated interior roosts. For someone who wants substantial enclosed housing without giving up a huge section of the yard, this is the clear compact option.
The trade-off is that "compact" also means you have less room to work with inside than the 8×12 or 10×16 designs, so layout and daily maintenance matter more. The plan includes two separate nesting-box assemblies, one for each side wall, plus two roost assemblies, which helps use the interior efficiently. It also uses an asphalt-shingle roof and a secure front door with a surface bolt. There's no attached run in this design, so it makes the most sense for a keeper who already has a protected outdoor area and mainly needs a dedicated enclosed hen house for roosting, laying, and weather protection.
🐔 Best for: Larger flocks that need enclosed housing in a smaller footprint
📐 Footprint: 6×8
🐓 Published capacity: 20 chickens
🔨 Build difficulty: Beginner friendly
💰 Est. material cost: Varies by materials and local pricing
⭐ Standout feature: High-capacity hen house packed into just 48 square feet
🪺 Other features: Four windows, two nesting-box assemblies, two roost assemblies, full-height access door, asphalt-shingle roof
⚠️ Keep in mind: No attached run, and the smaller interior gives you less working room than the larger hen houses
👉 View the complete free 6×8 Hen House PDF plan
🐔 7. 9×42 Extra Large Chicken Run - Best for Maximum Roaming Space
The 9×42 Extra Large Chicken Run is the clear pick for keepers who care most about giving a 20-bird flock a huge amount of protected space. The plan is rated for up to 20 chickens and stretches roughly 42 feet long, making it by far the largest footprint in this roundup. That extra room can help reduce crowding and gives birds much more space to move, scratch, and spread out than the tighter 6×8, 8×12, or 10×12 options.
The free plan also shows that this is more than a bare open run. It includes a dedicated nesting-box assembly, an interior roost, and a sliding chicken door built into the enclosed section. Those details make the design feel more like a full flock setup with an exceptionally large exercise area than a simple fenced corridor. The trade-off is obvious: at more than 40 feet long, this plan needs a lot of yard space and significantly more materials than most backyard keepers will want to tackle. For someone with the property and budget, though, no other design in this group gives the flock this much protected roaming room.
🐔 Best for: Large flocks with plenty of yard space
📐 Footprint: 9×42
🐓 Published capacity: 20 chickens
🔨 Build difficulty: Beginner friendly
💰 Est. material cost: $8,250
⭐ Standout feature: Massive protected roaming area
🪺 Other features: Nesting-box assembly, interior roost, sliding chicken door, enclosed shelter section
⚠️ Keep in mind: Requires far more yard space, lumber, roofing, and overall investment than the other plans
👉 View the complete free 9×42 Extra Large Chicken Run PDF plan
🔒 8. 10×20 Chicken Run Plans - Best Large Secure Run
The 10×20 Chicken Run is the biggest dedicated run in this roundup that still stays relatively straightforward in concept. It's rated for up to 20 chickens and gives the flock roughly 200 square feet of covered outdoor space, which makes it a strong fit for keepers who already have a separate hen house and want a large, permanent enclosure for daytime access. The extra width compared with the 8×20 design gives birds a little more room to spread out while still keeping the long-run layout that works well for larger flocks.
The free plan shows a heavy-duty framed structure with 2×4 and 4×4 lumber, tall wall framing, and a full metal PBR roof system spanning almost the entire 20-foot length. That makes this feel more like a permanent outdoor chicken structure than a lightweight pen. The main trade-off is the same as with the 8×20 run: this is primarily a protected run, not a complete enclosed sleeping house, so you'll still need secure nighttime shelter. If outdoor space and predator protection are the priority, though, this is one of the best fits in the group for a full 20-bird flock.
🐔 Best for: Larger flocks that need a wide, permanent protected outdoor run
📐 Footprint: 10×20
🐓 Published capacity: 20 chickens
🔨 Build difficulty: Medium
💰 Est. material cost: $2,200
⭐ Standout feature: 200 square feet of covered protected run space
🏠 Other features: Tall wood framing, full metal-panel roof, large walk-in enclosure
⚠️ Keep in mind: This is mainly a run, so a separate enclosed hen house is still needed
👉 View the complete free 10×20 Chicken Run PDF plan
🛠️ Before You Build a Chicken Coop for 13-20 Chickens
Before choosing one of these plans, make sure the structure actually fits your yard, your flock, and the way you plan to manage the birds day to day. A coop for 13 to 20 chickens is a much bigger commitment than a small backyard setup, especially once you factor in the run, access paths, feed storage, drainage, and room to clean around the structure. Measure the full footprint first, then leave yourself extra working space around doors, nesting-box access, and any areas where you'll need to carry bedding, tools, or feed.
You should also decide whether you need a complete coop-and-run setup or mainly an enclosed hen house or dedicated run. Several plans in this guide are standalone houses, while others are primarily runs. That distinction matters because a large run does not replace secure nighttime shelter, and a standalone hen house still needs safe outdoor space during the day. It's better to identify that gap before you start building than to realize halfway through that your flock still needs a second structure.
Check These Before Buying Materials
📍 Site and drainage: Choose level ground that does not hold standing water. Several of these plans use substantial foundations or permanent framing, so a poorly drained location can create problems later.
📐 Yard space: Compare the actual footprint, not just bird capacity. The difference between a 6×8 hen house and a 9×42 setup is enormous, even though both can serve larger flocks.
🦊 Predator protection: Pay close attention to door hardware, mesh, openings, and how the run meets the ground. A large structure creates more perimeter to secure, so weak spots matter.
🌬️ Ventilation and light: Larger flocks produce more moisture and ammonia, so windows, airflow, and interior space become more important as flock size increases.
🧹 Cleaning access: Full-height doors and walk-in layouts can make a major difference once you are cleaning bedding and managing a 15- to 20-bird flock regularly.
🥚 Nesting and roosting space: Make sure the finished setup gives your flock enough practical roost and nesting space, not just enough floor area on paper.
📜 Local rules: Check local zoning, HOA rules, setbacks, and flock limits before committing to a large permanent structure.
💵 Build budget: Material estimates are useful for comparison, but real costs vary by lumber prices, roofing, hardware, foundation work, and what you already own.
🔨 Tools & Materials You May Need
Most of these larger coop builds use a similar core set of tools and materials. The exact quantities will depend on the plan you choose, but these are the basics you're likely to need.
| Tools | Materials |
|---|---|
| • Drill/driver | • Pressure-treated lumber |
| • Circular saw | • Plywood or OSB |
| • Tape measure | • Exterior screws and nails |
| • Speed square | • Hardware cloth or wire mesh |
| • Level | • Hinges and secure latches |
| • Heavy-duty stapler | • Roofing materials |
If you want more detailed build support, Easy Coops also offers premium versions of its plans with expanded materials and cutting lists, additional blueprints and illustrations, tool and fastener lists, and technical support.
👉 Explore Easy Coops premium plans
🏆 Which Coop Would We Choose?
For most flocks of 13-20 chickens, we'd choose the 8×16 Medium Chicken Coop & Run. It gives you the best balance of enclosed shelter, protected outdoor space, walk-in access, nesting areas, and roosting space without taking over the yard like some of the extra-large designs.
If your priorities are different, the 6×8 Hen House is the better compact option, while the 9×42 Extra Large Chicken Run gives birds the most room to spread out.
🐔 Looking for More Chicken Coop Plans?
If your flock is smaller or you want to compare more designs, check out our other free coop plan guides:
