Building Coops, Runs, and Predator-Proof Backyard Poultry Spaces

A safe, well-built coop is the single most important investment for backyard poultry. Cheap kits often fail at the first predator attack, and oversized DIY projects can swallow weekends without solving the basic problems of ventilation and cleanliness. This course gives you a structured way to design housing that fits your flock size, your climate, and your skill level. You will work through written design exercises that progress from a four-hen starter coop to a larger setup with separate broody and chick areas. The emphasis is on practical decisions: how high to set roosts, how much ventilation to add without creating drafts, and where to place feed and water for easy chore routines. What you'll learn: - Calculate coop and run square footage based on flock size, climate, and time spent outdoors - Compare construction materials for cost, durability, predator resistance, and ease of cleaning - Build effective ventilation, insulation, and rainproofing for different climates - Design predator defense including hardware cloth, apron fencing, and secure latches - Plan nest boxes, roosts, dust bath areas, and shaded outdoor zones that match chicken behavior - Develop maintenance routines including deep-clean schedules and seasonal updates The course starts with the physics of a healthy coop, moves through written build plans for three reference designs, and finishes with the run, fencing, and yard layout. A final written project asks you to draft your own coop blueprint with materials list, budget, and weekend-by-weekend construction timeline. This course is designed for beginners with basic comfort using hand tools but no prior building experience. Suburban families, hobby farmers, and homesteaders will all find the design principles transferable. No prerequisites are needed; start where you are and finish with a buildable plan.