Best Chicken Coops for Backyards (2026 Buying Guide)
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The Omlet Eglu Cube is the best backyard chicken coop for most families: it houses up to six large hens, cleans in minutes and keeps predators out. For two or three hens, the smaller Eglu Go is easier on space and budget.
A good coop keeps your hens safe at night, dry in bad weather and healthy all year. A poor one becomes a cleaning chore and an easy target for foxes, raccoons and rats.
We compared popular coops on how many birds they really fit, predator protection, ventilation, nesting space and, most importantly, how easy they are to clean.
By NovaAgri Team · Updated October 2026 · Researched from manufacturer specs and owner feedback
Our quick picks
- Best overallOmlet Eglu Cube
- Best for small flocksOmlet Eglu Go
- Best wooden coopProducer’s Pride Defender Coop
- Best budgetWooden Coop with Attached Run
Comparison at a glance
| Product | Best for | Hens | Material | Cleaning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omlet Eglu Cube Best overall | Families keeping up to six hens | Up to 6 large or 10 small | Twin-wall plastic | Slide-out droppings tray | Check price → |
| Omlet Eglu Go Best for small flocks | Two or three hens in a small garden | Up to 3 large or 4 small | Twin-wall plastic | Droppings tray, removable nest | Check price → |
| Producer’s Pride Defender Coop Best wooden coop | A traditional wood coop from a farm store | Check listed capacity | Wood with metal accents | Front access and tray | Check price → |
| Wooden Coop with Attached Run Best budget | Starting a small flock on a tight budget | Usually 2 to 4 hens | Fir or pine wood | Pull-out tray | Check price → |
The best chicken coops, reviewed
Best overall
Omlet Eglu Cube
Best for: Families keeping up to six hens
The Eglu Cube is built from twin-wall plastic that insulates against heat and cold, does not rot and gives mites few places to hide. A slide-out droppings tray makes the daily clean-out a two-minute job.
It is designed to attach to a walk-in run, and Omlet sells an automatic door that opens and closes on a timer, which is a big help on early mornings.
What we like
- Very easy to clean
- Insulated, weather-proof shell
- Strong predator resistance with a run
- Wheels on some setups for moving
Keep in mind
- Premium price
- Plastic look is not for everyone
Best for small flocks
Omlet Eglu Go
Best for: Two or three hens in a small garden
The Eglu Go brings the same easy-clean design to a compact size. It is ideal if you want a few hens for fresh eggs without dedicating half the garden to them.
Add a run extension if your hens cannot free-range during the day.
What we like
- Compact and light
- Removable nest box tray
- Simple to move around the garden
Keep in mind
- Limited space for flock growth
- Run sold separately or in bundles
Best wooden coop
Producer’s Pride Defender Coop
Best for: A traditional wood coop from a farm store
If you prefer a classic wooden look, the Defender is a popular farm-store coop with a raised house, nesting boxes and an attached run area.
As with any wooden coop, check the hen capacity on the listing, seal the wood before use and add hardware cloth where predators might dig.
What we like
- Classic wooden design
- Raised house keeps birds dry
- Widely available at farm stores
Keep in mind
- Wood needs sealing and upkeep
- Harder to deep clean than plastic
Best budget
Wooden Coop with Attached Run
Best for: Starting a small flock on a tight budget
Budget wooden coops with an attached run are an affordable way to start. Most include a nesting box, a roost bar and a pull-out tray.
Treat the stated capacity as a maximum, upgrade the latches, and wrap the run base with hardware cloth for better predator protection.
What we like
- Affordable all-in-one setup
- Includes run and nesting box
- Easy to assemble
Keep in mind
- Thin wood and weak latches on cheaper models
- Capacity often overstated
How to choose a chicken coop
1. Size it for your flock
A common guideline is about 4 square feet of coop space and around 10 square feet of run space per standard hen. Bantams need a little less. Overcrowding causes stress, pecking and disease.
2. Make predator protection the priority
Look for solid locking doors, small-gap hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, and a floor or apron that stops digging animals.
3. Ventilate without drafts
Hens need fresh air to prevent moisture and ammonia build-up. Vents should sit above roost height so birds are not in a draft at night.
4. Think about cleaning first
Removable droppings trays, wide doors and smooth surfaces turn a weekly chore into a quick job.
- One nest box per three to four hens
- Roost bars higher than nest boxes
- Easy access to collect eggs
- Shade and shelter for the run
NovaAgri tip: Buy a coop for one or two more hens than you plan to keep. Almost everyone adds to their flock after the first year.
Frequently asked questions
How many chickens should a beginner start with?
Three to six hens is a common starting flock. Chickens are social, so never keep just one.
How much space do chickens need in a coop?
Plan about 4 square feet per standard hen inside the coop and around 10 square feet per hen in the run.
Are plastic chicken coops better than wood?
Plastic coops are easier to clean and resist mites and rot. Wooden coops look traditional and can be cheaper, but need more upkeep.
How do I keep predators out of a chicken coop?
Use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, lock doors at night, bury or apron the run edges, and close hens in before dusk.
Do chickens need a heated coop in winter?
Most hardy breeds do not. A dry, draft-free, well-ventilated coop is more important than heat.
Final verdict
For most backyard keepers, the Omlet Eglu Cube is worth the investment for its easy cleaning and predator protection. Pick the Eglu Go for two or three hens, and a wooden coop with a run if you are starting on a budget.
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