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!

02of 20

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.

11of 20

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

What is a good design for chicken coops? ›

Usually, the chicken door should be located on the south facing side of the chicken coop. If designing a large coop, include a full-size door to make it easier for you to access the coop and clean the coop. Windows should be located on the east and west facing sides of the chicken coop.

How can I make my chicken coop more interesting? ›

Chickens love to forage, so providing any sort of litter for them to forage through is a great amusem*nt. Fresh litter in the coop, piles of mulch or leaves, hay bales etc. all provide a new, exciting scratching opportunity! If you want to raise the stakes, hide food and treats in the litter.

What is the most functional chicken coop? ›

Our choice for the best overall chicken coop is the Aivituvin AIR46 Large Chicken Coop with Run. This coop is constructed of weather-resistant fir wood, is coated with animal-safe paint, and has an asphalt roof.

What is the best floor in a chicken coop? ›

Concrete is the ideal flooring for chicken owners who want an easy-to-maintain flooring option for their chicken coop in a permanent location. In the picture above you can see on the left side the clean timber board floor and on the right it has been covered with wood chip bedding that absorbs the poop.

What are some chicken enrichment ideas? ›

Environmental. Coop décor can double as environmental enrichment. Consider placing old ladders in the coop, or hanging mirrors. Providing old tires filled with dirt as a dust bathing spot or giving them a grub-filled log to jump on and scratch apart are great ways to provide enrichment on a low budget.

What do chickens want in their coop? ›

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.

What else can live in a chicken coop? ›

If you free-range your chickens, then ducks will be a happy addition to your flock. Like chickens, ducks require a sheltered area to roost and protect themselves from predators. It is crucial to ensure your flock is protected at night, and an automatic chicken coop door will do just that.

What is a good bottom for a chicken coop? ›

Coop flooring

Concrete is ideal as it is easy to clean and prevents pests or predators from digging underneath.

How many nesting boxes for 20 chickens? ›

A good rule of thumb is a ratio of one nesting box for every four chickens. Constructing boxes from found materials can save on costs and give character to the backyard coop. Boxes need not be square, but should be roomy enough to contain a laying hen, yet small enough to feel secure.

How big of a coop for 20 chickens? ›

Chicken Coop Size Calcultor Table | Outside Space
Number Of Chickens420
Small Chickens32 s.f.160 s.f.
Medium Chickens40 s.f.200 s.f.
Large Chickens48 s.f.240 s.f.
Feb 15, 2023

How to build a good chicken house? ›

Here are steps to build a functional yet modern coop for your chickens:
  1. Step 1: Choose your plan. ...
  2. Step 2: Material selection and collection. ...
  3. Step 3: Preparing the ground and foundation. ...
  4. Step 4: Building your coop frame. ...
  5. Step 5: Outer sheathing of walls and roof. ...
  6. Step 6: Insulation and internal cladding. ...
  7. Step 7: Nesting boxes.

What should a chicken coop be like? ›

Chickens need a warm, dry and well-ventilated chicken house. This should have: A big enough entrance - this should allow your chickens to pass through easily without having to crouch. More than one entrance helps avoid bullying and encourages them to use the outdoor area.

Which direction should a chicken coop face? ›

Ideally, position your chicken coop to face north if you're in the Southern Hemisphere (south for my Northern Hemisphere friends) or east to greet the early morning sun. This keeps the chicken coop dry and avoids the harsh west sun in the afternoon.

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