20 Chicken Coop Décor Ideas to Create an Idyllic Backyard (2024)

20 Chicken Coop Décor Ideas to Create an Idyllic Backyard (1)

More than abackyard trend or passing phase, backyard chicken keeping is here to stay. As more and more people discover the joys of raising abackyard flock with delicious, fresh eggs at their service, chickens have become cherished backyard pets.

The primary function of a chicken coop is to provide theflock witha sheltered spot in which to lay their eggs and keep them safe from predators at night. A coop doesn’t need to be fancy, it just needs to be functional. It should have spacious nesting boxes filled with soft nesting material, wide, sturdy roosting bars, plenty of ventilation, strong welded wire on the windows, and predator-proof latches on the doors that even the wiliest raccoon can’t unlatch.

Meet the Expert

Lisa Steeleis a fifth-generation chicken keeper, aspiring herbalist, freelance writer, and author ofGardening With Chickens ($12). She is also the host of the television showWelcome to My Farmairing in local Maine markets.

But who’s to say you can’t add a bit offun to your coop?From homemade treats to chicaccouterments, chickens enjoy living the high life while providing families with a steady supply of eggs. And while chickens don’t ask for much in return, today’s keepers love to spoil their flock. After all, pampered chickens lay the freshest eggs!Keep reading for 20 tips on sprucing up your coop.

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Hang Curtains

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Studies have shown that chickens will instinctively seek out the most secluded spot they can find to lay their eggs. Farmers hang empty feed sacks or burlap bags over the front of their chickens’ nesting area to encourage laying, but why stop there? Use some pretty material to fashion curtains on a rod installed in the coop. Tie the curtains back with lace, ribbon, or string. If you don’t sew, use Velcro, staples, or nail fabric in place. When the curtains get dusty, take them down for laundering or make anew!

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Apply Wallpaper

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A well-dressed coop needs wallpaper, of course! Instead of traditional wallpaper, use vinyl contact paper or shelf liner on the walls. Not only does contact paper prevent mites or other insects from burrowing into the wood to hide, but it also makes cleanup incredibly easy. A wet sponge will quickly wipe the walls clean.

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Install Flooring

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Like getting the right wallpaper, purchasing a scrap of vinyl linoleum or other waterproof flooring for your coop will make cleaning much easier. Mopping linoleum clean is far easier than trying to clean bare wood. It also will prevent floorboards from rotting in the case of spilled water.

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Paint Exposed Wood

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Painting the exposed wood on the inside of the coop acts in much the same wayascontact paper. Cleaning is easier and it makes the wood less attractive to burrowing insects. Choosing a light color will also help brighten up the inside of the coop.

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Hang a Chandelier

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Another fun coop décor idea is to hang a chandelier or luxe light fixture from the ceiling. It'll give your chickens a glamorous backdrop and maybe even provide a little extra light.

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Put up a Mirror

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Hang a mirror on the wall of the coop during winter to keep hens from getting bored when they can’t be outside as much. They will enjoy watching themselves in the reflection. A word of warning if you have a rooster: If he catches sight of another handsome fellow in the coop, he might be tempted to fight him, so be aware of that potential for a broken mirror.

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Outfit With Art

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Do chickens appreciate a gallery wall as much as the rest of us? We may never know, but it certainly doesn't hurt to give your bird babies something to look at while also elevating their space.

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Opt for a Cute Thermometer

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Chickens are extremely susceptible to heat exhaustion, so keeping an eye on the coop’s temperature is important. Why not hang a large decorative thermometer to help you track the temperature and add to yourchicken coop décor? It can be as big and elaborate as you would like—the chickens won’t mind.

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Collect Egg Baskets

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Check eBay, antique shops, flea markets, or yard sales for metal egg baskets. If you’re the type who always forgets to bring a bowl or basket from the house to collect eggs, consider hanging a small assortment of egg baskets in the coop. Feed scoops are also inexpensive and can be hung individually or in groups on the walls.

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Sprinkle Dried Herbs

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Tossing some fresh or dried herbs into nesting boxes is another great chicken coop décor idea. Herbs can help flies and other insects from lingeringin the coop and look pretty while doing so. Fragrant herbs and edible flowers such as lavender, rose petals, calendula, chamomile, lemon balm, and mint are all favorites.

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Roll Out the Welcome Mat

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One of the simplest ways to give your coop a facelift? Roll out a welcome mat and spruce up the outside to look a little more inviting. Install an attractive light fixture, hang a few simple décor pieces, pop in some greenery, and you're all set with the cutest coop around.

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Plant Some Greenery

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Planting bouquets of fresh herbs does more than just make your coop look and smell great. Place them on windowsills or hang them in bunches from a pegboard or hooks. Herbs have been shown to repel against mites, and they can provide your chickens with a treat to munch on. Basil, thyme, lavender, and mint are good choices.

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Get Inspired

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Combine your love for your bird babies with your love of, well, anything. Get inspired when creating a hen haven—a themed coop will bring you and your chickens joy every day.

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Embrace Classic Architecture

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Looking for a truly unique home for your chicks? Design your own and model it after your favorite style of classic architecture. For example, if Cape Dutch meets classic French is your inspiration, run with it. The sky's the limit.

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Make it Modern

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For lovers of modern design, consider giving your chickens a contemporary coop. Opt for clean lines, and a streamlined color palette to get the look. Industrial and organic touches can complement a modern aesthetic as well.

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Repurpose an Old Door

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Give your coop an extra pop (and save some money) by rehabbing an old door. Leave it as-is or paint it in a contrasting color for some flair. Opting for a door with a working lock will keep your chickens a little safer, too.

Using a regular-sized door instead of a chicken-sized one can make it easier for you to access the coop cleaning and visiting your chicks.

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Commission a Sweet Sign

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Give your coop a personal touch with a sweet, custom sign. Commission a metal or wood sign locally or from a maker marketplace like Etsy, or opt for a DIY version if you're crafty.

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String Some Lights

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Every outdoor space can benefit from the addition of some ambient lights—even chicken coops. Hang some affordable string lighting to give your chickens the cute, cozy, and chic space they deserve.

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Cultivate the Landscape

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Whether your coop is a pre-fab hut or a hand-built haven, it can definitely benefit from some lush landscaping. Aside from beautifying your coop, the right landscaping can supplement your flock's diet, provide them with comfortable shade, and deter pests and predators from harming your hens.

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Decorate for the Holidays

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Hanging homemade pine garlands, wreaths, and strands of Christmas lights can turn a coop festive for the holidays. As an added bonus, rodents are reputed to not enjoy the scent of pine, so the garlands can act as a mouse deterrent.

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Article Sources

MyDomaine uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

  1. Riber AB, Nielsen BL. Changes in Position and Quality of Preferred Nest Box: Effects on Nest Box Use by Laying Hens.Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2013;148(3-4):185-191.doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2013.08.005

  2. Lara L, Rostagno M. Impact of Heat Stress on Poultry Production.Animals. 2013;3(2):356-369. doi:10.3390/ani3020356

  3. Maia MF, Moore SJ. Plant-Based Insect Repellents: A Review of Their Efficacy, Development and Testing.Malar J. 2011;10(S1):S11. doi:10.1186/1475-2875-10-S1-S11

  4. Nechita IS, Poirel MT, Cozma V, Zenner L. The Repellent and Persistent Toxic Effects of Essential Oils Against the Poultry Red Mite, Dermanyssus Gallinae.Veterinary Parasitology. 2015;214(3-4):348-352. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.10.014

  5. Singla N, Thind RK, Mahal AK. Potential of Eucalyptus Oil as Repellent Against House Rat, Rattus Rattus.The Scientific World Journal. 2014;2014:1-7. doi:10.1155/2014/249284

20 Chicken Coop Décor Ideas to Create an Idyllic Backyard (2024)

FAQs

How much space do you need for 20 chickens in a coop? ›

Small chickens get 8 feet of square feet per bird. Medium chickens get 10 feet of square feet per bird. Large Chickens get 12 feet of square feet per bird.

What is the most efficient chicken coop design? ›

A combination-style chicken coop is one of the best chicken coop plans to use. This specific style will have a chicken coop and run for your chickens to walk around and relax in a protected environment. The run is typically attached to the coop which makes it that much safer for your chickens.

How can I make my chicken coop more interesting? ›

Putting a bale or pile of straw or hay in the chicken coop or run will keep your girls entertained for hours - they are not a fan of piles! Watch as they scratch and peck at the straw searching for insects, seeds and other hidden goodies until there is a pile no more.

How do I make my chicken coop pretty? ›

Paint Exposed Wood

Painting the exposed wood on the inside of the coop acts in much the same way as contact paper. Cleaning is easier and it makes the wood less attractive to burrowing insects. Choosing a light color will also help brighten up the inside of the coop. Be sure to use a non-toxic, low-VOC paint.

How many chickens in a 10x10 run? ›

The rule of thumb is to allow a minimum of 10 square feet of outdoor run space per chicken. So that means if you have 10 chickens, you should plan on a pen that's at least 10x10, or 100 square feet.

How many boxes do I need for 20 chickens? ›

Many seasoned chicken keepers recommend 1 chicken nesting box per 4-5 hens, but you should always have 2 minimum. So, if you have 20 chickens, you should have at least 4-5 nest boxes.

Should chicken coops be off the ground? ›

Chicken coop ramps are a common sight on chicken coops. Chicken coops are generally kept a foot or two off the ground by stilts. This offers protection from predators. If a coop is off the ground, it's harder for snakes, foxes, and other predators to get into the coop.

Should chicken coops be free range or run? ›

If you have a smaller property, live near potential predators, or tend to worry about the safety of chicken coop for free range chickens, it's a good idea to use a run — just be sure that they have enough space to stretch their legs and scratch around.

What should I put inside my chicken coop? ›

Checklist For What Should Be Inside Your Chicken Coop
  1. Roosting Perch. Chickens like to be up high when they sleep, and a roosting perch provides them with a comfortable space to sleep, off the ground. ...
  2. Nesting Box. ...
  3. Food & Water Supply. ...
  4. Insulation & Ventilation. ...
  5. Dust Baths. ...
  6. Shavings or Bedding. ...
  7. Cocoon Chicken Coops.
Apr 13, 2022

Are mirrors good for chickens? ›

Add mirrors to their run – chickens are fascinated with pretty much anything that moves, including their own reflections. If you hang a mirror near the ground in your chicken run, your birds will enjoy watching and pecking at their reflections in the mirror.

What do chickens like in the run? ›

Chickens like to be on soil or bedding that is dry and friable. If their coop or run is wet or smelly, your flock will develop health problems. When choosing bedding, find something dry with minimal dust. Good options for bedding include washed sand, wood shavings, dry wood mulch or dry leaves, and rice hulls.

How many chickens should I own? ›

For beginners just starting out with backyard chickens, it's usually best to start small. A beginner-friendly flock size would typically consist of three to four chickens. This allows you to gain experience caring for and managing your chickens without becoming overwhelmed.

How many nesting boxes do I need for 8 chickens? ›

A good rule of thumb is a ratio of one nesting box for every four chickens.

What size house do I need for 20 chickens? ›

As we mention in our Chicken Coop Buyer's Guide, you need somewhere between 2 and 4 square feet per standard size chicken in order for them to live comfortable, healthy and happy lives. So, your coop needs the following amount of square feet: 20 Chickens: 40-80 square feet. 25 Chickens: 50-100 square feet.

How many chickens can you have in a 4x8 coop? ›

8 large standard chickens would be ok for space in a coop with your floor space of 4 x 8 feet. The general rule, which takes into consideration that your birds may spend days or even weeks in that coop when the weather keeps them in. 1 adult large standard chicken per 4 square feet.

Is a 4x4 coop big enough for 8 chickens? ›

External nesting boxes, exceptional ventilation, and ease of customization make this hen house a great choice no matter what level of experience you have with raising chickens. Our 4' x 4' Quaker Coop Specs at a Glance: Estimated space for 8 to 10 chickens.

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