DIY Cottage Chicken Coop Plans: 8x12 Walk-In, Covered Run, 20 Hens PDF

DIY cottage chicken coop plans for an 8x12 walk-in coop with a 16x8 covered run under one flared bellcast roof for 15-20 hens. Step-by-step PDF with cut lists.

- Product: Bellhaven bellcast walk-in chicken coop with covered run, building plans
- Format: Digital PDF download
- Pages: 71
- Paper Size: US Letter
- Units: Imperial (feet and inches); main sizes also given in mm
- Dimensions: 12' x 8' coop and 16' x 8' run on a 28' x 8' base; 30' 1-1/2" L x 12' 1-13/16" D x 12' 2-9/16" H overall
- Style: Cottage style with slate-blue grooved panel siding, cream trim and windows and a flared 12/12 bellcast shingle roof
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Includes: 35 illustrated build steps, shopping list, master cut list, cut diagrams, panel layouts, rafter and sprocket rafter details, siding templates, elevations, floor plan and cross sections
- Best For: Backyard flocks of 15 to 20 hens
- Delivery: Instant PDF download after purchase, no physical item shipped

## What's Included in This Cottage Chicken Coop Plan

The Bellhaven is a walk-in chicken coop and covered run under one long bellcast roof: a steep 12/12 gable that flares out to a gentle 4/12 at the eaves on sprocket rafters. The flared eaves give deep 2 ft overhangs that keep rain off the walls and the run, and a cedar plank door with a framed double brace completes the cottage look.

- 12' x 8' walk-in coop with 85 sq ft of floor inside, 6' 8-1/2" of clear headroom under the rafter ties and 10' 3-1/2" under the ridge
- 16' x 8' covered run with 116 sq ft of ground, 7' 9-3/4" under the ties and a 35-1/2" x 73-3/4" walk-in run door
- Outside nest box on the back wall with 4 nests and a shingled lift-up lid for collecting eggs from outside
- Three roost bars with 199-1/2" of perch over a removable dropping board
- Sliding pop door with a ramp into the run
- Three screened casement windows, louvered gable vents and screened eaves for light and air
- Cedar-toned run frame with knee braces, wrapped in 1/2" hardware cloth with a buried apron against digging predators
- Estimated material cost of about $4,000 to $5,400 (prices vary by region and season)

## Walk-In Chicken Coop with Run for 15 to 20 Hens

The coop gives 4.2 to 5.6 sq ft per hen and the run 5.8 to 7.7 sq ft per hen, so this large chicken coop houses 15 to 20 chickens; the plan suggests some free-range time for the larger flock. The 4 nests follow the rule of one nest for every 5 hens.

## File Format, Paper Size and Measurements

The plan is a 71-page PDF on US Letter paper. All dimensions are in feet and inches for standard US lumber, with the main sizes also listed in millimeters. Every part has its own code that appears in the cut list, the cut diagrams, the templates and the step pages.

## Who This Bellcast Chicken Coop Plan Is For

This is an intermediate build for DIY builders who are comfortable with a circular saw, a drill/driver and basic framing. Two people can build it in about 9 to 11 weekend days, plus painting. Spring is the busiest building season, so fall and winter are a good time to price lumber and prepare the site before new chicks arrive. It also makes a practical gift for a backyard chicken keeper.

## How to Use the Plan

1. Buy the plan and download the PDF.
2. Print the shopping list and the master cut list, or open them on a tablet.
3. Buy the lumber, panels, roofing and hardware.
4. Follow the 35 build steps in order, from the foundation blocks to the pop door and front step.

## Digital Product Note

This is a digital download. No physical item is shipped. The PDF is available for instant download right after purchase.

## Terms of Use

This plan is for personal use. You may build as many coops as you like for yourself. You may not resell, share or publish the PDF, its drawings or its renders, and you may not build coops from it for sale without written permission.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What size coop do I need for 20 chickens?

A coop for 20 chickens needs about 4 sq ft of floor per hen inside plus run space. This plan gives 4.2 sq ft per hen in the coop and 5.8 sq ft per hen in the run at 20 hens.

### Why does this cottage chicken coop have flared eaves?

The 4/12 flare throws rain 2 ft clear of the walls and the run sides and keeps low summer sun out, while the steep 12/12 roof above sheds snow fast. It also gives the cottage chicken coop its bellcast look.

### Can I use metal roofing on a bellcast chicken coop?

Not on this bellcast chicken coop, because a metal panel cannot bend over the kink of the flare. Use asphalt shingles, or build the eaves at 12/12 as a plain gable if you want metal.

### Is it cheaper to build a chicken coop with a run yourself?

Building a chicken coop with a run yourself lets you control material costs and quality. This plan estimates materials at about $4,000 to $5,400, depending on your region and season.

### How do I download the PDF after purchase?

After checkout you get a download link on the order confirmation page and by email. Click it to download the PDF and save it to your computer, tablet or phone.

## More Building Plans from KRMPLANS

Browse the KRMPLANS shop for more chicken coop plans, sheds, greenhouses and cabins. If you have a question about this plan, send us a message and we will be happy to help.