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How to Build a Pigeon Coop Outside

The desire to own pigeons dates back 6,000 years and continues to this day. Pigeons are raised and owned for a variety of reasons -- showing, racing, and performing pigeons are all big parts of the hobby. Purchasing or constructing a proper coop is essential to any of the hobbies that involve keeping pigeons. You must consider several issues when building a coop, including providing enough space inside the coop for each pigeon; keeping the coop dry and free of moisture; protecting the pigeons from predators and the elements; and positioning the coop outdoors so that it receives enough sunlight.

Things You'll Need

Hammer and nails
Screwdriver and screws
Door hinges
2-by-4 inch wood planks
Chicken wire fencing
½-inch plywood sheets
Saw
Drill
Jigsaw
Measuring tape

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the best outdoor location for the coop. It is best to face the coop south, so that it gets as much sunlight as possible in the winter but remains cool in the summer. Also, ensure that each pigeon you intend to keep will have 20 cubic feet of space within the coop so that the pigeons are comfortable. This particular plan allows for 20 pigeons.
- 2
  Build the framework of the coop by nailing the 2-by-4 planks end to end in a rectangular shape. Nail a third across the middle of the rectangle to reinforce the frame, then repeat to make a second rectangle with a middle piece for reinforcement. Cover one side of each rectangle with a sheet of plywood measuring 5 feet-by-21 inches. These sheets of plywood will serve as the roof and floor of the coop.
- 3
  Nail four more 2-by-4 planks to connect the roof and floor, thereby creating a three-dimensional structure. Cut one sheet of plywood measuring 5 feet-by-4 feet to create a wall for the back of the coop, and cut two sheets of plywood measuring 2 feet-by-4 feet two serve as walls for the sides. All sides of the coop should be covered except one.
- 4
  Cut another sheet of plywood measuring 2 feet-by-5 feet and nail it to the bottom of the open side of the structure.
- 5
  Create a ̶0;loft̶1; for the pigeons to feed on by cutting a sheet of plywood that measures 5 feet-by-1 foot and nailing it into the middle of the side of the coop, along the reinforcement plank. Make sure it is flush with the sheet on the open front of the structure.
- 6
  Cut two planks to 5 feet and three planks to 21 inches, then use the jigsaw blade to cut a rectangle of 18 inches-by-54 inches out of a sheet of plywood measuring 5 feet-by- 2 feet. The result should be something that resembles a picture frame.
- 7
  Create a ̶0;ladder̶1; by placing the 5-foot planks parallel to each other and the 21-inch planks between them. Cover this ̶0;ladder̶1; with chicken wire, then place the plywood rectangle that resembles a picture frame over the chicken wire. Nail the plywood to the 5-foot planks, securing the chicken wire in place. The remaining configuration will serve as the ventilated door of the coop.
- 8
  Affix three door hinges to a 5-foot plank of the ventilated door you constructed in the previous step. Attach the other ends of the hinges to the roof of the coop so that the door is lifted to provide access to the pigeons.

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