GuideCoop · lumber list

4×8 chicken coop lumber list

Complete materials list for a basic-but-complete 4×8 chicken coop with proper ventilation, predator exclusion, and weatherproofing. Total cost ~$350–450 at 2026 lumber prices, depending on regional variation. Holds 6–8 standard hens per the 4×8 stocking calculator. Build time 20–30 hours for an intermediate-skilled builder.

Complete materials list

Category	Item	Qty	Cost
Framing	2×4×8 ft pressure-treated (floor frame)	5	$45
Framing	2×4×8 ft SPF (wall studs)	16	$80
Framing	2×6×8 ft SPF (roof rafters + ridge)	6	$60
Sheathing	½-in × 4×8 CDX plywood (floor)	1	$45
Sheathing	⅜-in × 4×8 T1-11 siding (walls)	5	$135
Sheathing	½-in × 4×8 CDX plywood (roof deck)	1	$45
Roofing	Corrugated metal panels (3 ft × 8 ft)	2	$50
Roofing	Roofing screws + rubber gaskets	1 box	$10
Roofing	Drip edge flashing (10 ft)	2	$20
Hardware cloth	¼-in × 36-in × 25-ft galvanized roll	1	$70
Hardware cloth	Pneumatic staples (T-50 box)	1	$8
Doors	Pop-door kit (sliding wood)	1	$25
Doors	Human door — built from scrap T1-11	—	$0
Doors	Door hinges (3-pack)	1	$8
Doors	Two-step latch (carabiner + slide bolt)	1	$10
Nest + roost	1×4×6 ft roost rail (planed pine)	1	$8
Nest + roost	Nest box materials (built from scrap)	—	$0
Fasteners	3-in exterior screws (5-lb box)	1	$30
Fasteners	1¼-in exterior screws (1-lb box)	1	$10
Finishing	Exterior latex caulk (2 tubes)	2	$10
Finishing	Exterior latex paint (1 gallon)	1	$30
Estimated total			$689

The $689 line-item total reflects retail purchase of every item new at standard big-box pricing. Realistic out-of-pocket for most builders runs $350–450 by reusing scrap lumber for the human door and nest boxes, buying T1-11 siding from a lumberyard direct (often 30% below big-box), and skipping the metal-panel roofing in favor of $25 in asphalt-roll roofing if your climate allows.

Lumber dimensions explained

2×4×8 pressure-treated (floor frame, 5 pieces): Two long rails (96 inches) plus three joists (45 inches each, cut from the 2 spare 8-footers). Pressure-treated because the floor frame contacts ground or sits in the moisture-absorption zone above ground.
2×4×8 SPF (wall studs, 16 pieces): Eight per long wall, six per short wall, plus headers and trimmers for door and window openings. Standard SPF (not pressure-treated) for everything above the floor frame. 16-inch on-center spacing.
2×6×8 SPF (rafters + ridge, 6 pieces): Four rafter pairs at 24-inch on center across the 8-foot span, plus a ridge board and a header. 2×6 dimension instead of 2×4 because the longer rafter span and snow load benefit from the heavier framing.
Plywood quantities: 1 sheet ½-inch CDX for the floor, 5 sheets ⅜-inch T1-11 for the four walls plus small pieces for shutters and nest box, 1 sheet ½-inch CDX for the roof deck.

Hardware cloth coverage

The 25-foot roll of ¼-inch hardware cloth covers the entire coop's predator-rated openings:

Two eyebrow vents (4×12 inches each at gable ends) → ~1 sq ft total
One floor-line low intake (6×24 inches) → 1 sq ft
One window screen (12×18 inches) → 1.5 sq ft
Pop-door covering for night closure → 1.5 sq ft
Run apron (24-in skirt extending outward from run base) → ~50 sq ft for a 12×12 run perimeter

Total: ~55 sq ft. The 25-foot × 36-inch roll provides 75 sq ft of usable cloth — enough for the coop and run with margin for waste. If your run is larger than 12×12, buy a second roll for the run apron.

What's NOT included

The list above is the coop only. The run is a separate build with its own materials:

Run framing: 4×4 corner posts + 2×4 horizontal rails. ~$80 for a 12×12 run.
Run hardware cloth: wall sides and top, plus apron. ~$120 for full 12×12 enclosure with covered top.
Foundation: if not building on a slab, four concrete deck piers ($25 each) or pressure-treated 4×4 skids with leveling shims ($30 total).

Run + foundation typically adds $200–300 to the project total. Full coop + run + foundation runs ~$550–750 for a complete predator-rated 4×8 setup.

Tools required

Circular saw (or table saw if you have one)
Drill + driver bit set
Tape measure, framing square, pencil
Level (4-foot beam level minimum)
Tin snips (for hardware cloth)
Staple gun (T-50 or equivalent)
Hammer (for nails on metal flashing, occasional adjustments)
Caulk gun
Sawhorses (2)

Total tool cost if you don't own these: $250–400. Add to the build cost for a true first-coop comparison vs prefab.

Build sequence (high-level)

Foundation (deck piers or skids), level
Floor frame (pressure-treated 2×4s, 16-in OC joists)
Floor decking (½-in CDX plywood)
Wall framing (4 walls assembled flat, then raised)
Roof rafters + ridge board
Roof decking + drip edge + corrugated panels
Wall siding (T1-11 panels)
Vent cuts (eyebrow vents, low intake, window) — see DIY ventilation guide
Hardware cloth on every opening (¼-inch, T-50 staples)
Pop-door + human door + latches (predator-rated)
Internal: nest boxes (3 for 6–8 hens), roost rail
Caulk, paint, finishing

Frequently asked

How much does a 4×8 chicken coop cost to build?

About $350–450 in materials at 2026 lumber prices for a basic-but-complete 4×8 coop with proper ventilation, ¼-inch hardware cloth, and metal-panel roof. Higher-end builds with cedar siding, premium doors, and electric run by professional standards can hit $700–1000. The lumber list below is for the cost-conscious version that doesn't compromise on flock health (vent area, predator exclusion, weatherproofing).

What lumber dimensions should I use for the framing?

2×4s for the floor frame and wall studs (16-inch on center). 2×3s acceptable for non-load-bearing wall framing if cost matters. 2×6s for the roof rafters and ridge board on a 4×8 (the longer span and snow load benefit from the heavier dimension). Pressure-treated 2×4s for the floor frame ground contact; standard SPF for everything else. Don't substitute 2×3s for the floor frame; the 4×8 plywood floor wants 2×4 minimum joist depth.

What plywood thickness for a coop?

½-inch CDX plywood for the floor (rated for moisture; chickens generate moisture even with deep-litter). ⅜-inch CDX or T1-11 siding for the walls. ½-inch CDX for the roof deck, covered with rolled roofing or corrugated metal panels. Don't use OSB (oriented strand board) — it swells in moisture and disintegrates within 2–3 years on a coop floor.

Why do I need ¼-inch hardware cloth instead of chicken wire?

Chicken wire keeps chickens contained, not predators out. Raccoons rip chicken wire; weasels squeeze through ½-inch openings; rats chew through it. Use ¼-inch galvanized hardware cloth on every vent, window, run side, and run top. The cost difference vs ½-inch chicken wire is $3–6 per square foot — small relative to the predator-protection upgrade. Skip ½-inch hardware cloth too unless ½-inch is already on hand; ¼-inch is the conservative default.

Do I need pressure-treated lumber for the whole coop?

No, just the parts that contact ground or sit in the moisture-absorption zone. Pressure-treated 2×4s for the floor frame; pressure-treated 4×4 corner posts if the coop sits on dirt instead of a slab; pressure-treated bottom plate where walls meet the floor. Standard SPF (spruce/pine/fir) is fine for wall studs, rafters, and siding. Pressure-treated everywhere is overkill and adds 30–40% to lumber cost without flock benefit.

By Jimmy L Wu. Reviewed 2026-05-01. Material costs reflect 2026 retail pricing at standard big-box and farm- supply stores; regional variation is significant. Lumber dimensions, framing spacing, and plywood specs reflect standard residential carpentry practice. Hardware-cloth predator-exclusion sizing reflects practitioner consensus. Not veterinary advice — for sick birds or any animal-health emergency, consult an avian or livestock veterinarian.