Make a Storage Station for Your Chicken Coop

Safely store chicken feed and other coop essentials with this easy DIY.

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Photo By: Photo by Mick Telkamp

Storing Feed

Chicken feed has a shelf life of just a few months. Improperly stored, feed may be damaged be mold or devoured by pests in a matter of days. Sturdy storage containers are a must, but keeping feed off the ground out and in an established location ensures chicken feed, scratch and other coop supplies will be there when you need them. This basic shelf and counter design will hold two ten-gallon galvanized bins and a plastic bin for non-perishable needs like bedding or oyster shells. With a raised countertop perfect for sorting eggs or hypnotizing chickens, this storage solution is an easy addition for the well-maintained coop.

You Will Need

Four 5/4”x6”x56” boards / three 5/4”x6”x48” boards / two 2”x4”x54” boards / two 2”x4”x48” boards / four 2”x4”x41” boards / four 2”x4”x18-1/2” boards / three 2”x4”x15” boards / two 2”x4”x11” boards / ¼” and 1” scrap lumber / measuring tape / drill with Phillips head bit and #8 countersink bit / sander

Arrange Top Frame

Arrange two 2”x4”x54” boards and two 2”x4”x18-1/2” boards to form a long rectangle.

Assemble Top Frame

Use drill with #8 countersink bit to drill two pilot holes in each corner through the long side about ¾” from the end and an inch from the top and bottom of the board. Switch to the Phillips head bit and drive 3” deck screws through each drilled hole (a total of eight) to assemble the frame.

Place Top

Lay four 5/4”x6”x56” planks on top of the frame with an overhang of an inch on all sides. Use pieces of ¼” scrap lumber to space the planks evenly.

Attach Top

Drill two pilot holes into the ends of each plank, spaced 1-3/4” from the end and 1 inch in from each long side. Drive a 3” deck screw into each drilled hole to attach top to frame.

Attach Legs

Flip the top over and place a 2”x4”x41” board at each inside corner of the base frame with the broad side facing the end. Tap in 2”x4”x15” boards between the legs at the short ends and attach the legs to the frame with two screws each, positioned one inch from the long side of the leg and one inch from the top or bottom of the frame to position diagonally from each other. Drive two evenly spaced screws through the 2”x4”15” board into the frame to attach.

Complete Leg Assembly

Box each pair of legs into the frame with a 2”x4”x18-1/2” board. Drive two screws though the board at each leg and though the center of the board to secure. Flip the cubby upright on its feet and set aside.

Assemble Shelf Frame

Arrange two 2”x4”x48” and two 2”x4”x15” boards to form a long rectangle. As with the top frame, assemble by drilling two pilot holes into the long side at the corners and driving 3” deck screws to assemble.

Add Shelf Brace

Insert a 2”x4”x15” board at the midpoint of the frame and affix by drilling two evenly spaced holes at each end and attaching with deck screws.

Place Shelf

Lay three 5/4”x6”x48” planks on top of the frame flush at the ends and spaced about an inch apart.

Assemble Shelf

Use 1” scrap plywood to maintain spacing between plans and attach to the frame by drilling two evenly spaced holes ¾” from the end of each plank and securing with deck screws. The wider gap on this shelf will help prevent condensation from developing in the bottom of feed storage.

Place Temporary Risers

Place a 3” tall scrap of lumber under each corner of the shelf.

Attach Shelf to Legs

Set the cubby over the shelf so the legs line up with each corner. Attach with two screws at each leg driven through the legs into the shelf frame.

Remove Temporary Risers

Remove risers under shelf corners. This lower shelf is large enough to support two ten gallon galvanized cans (for feed and scratch storage) with enough room left over for wood shavings, oyster shells or other chicken coop essentials.

Sand All Surfaces

Use a sander to smooth all surfaces and remove any marks or blemishes. This coop furniture can be painted or stained, if desired. Here we have elected to leave this pressure treated pine bare.

Storing Chicken Coop Essentials

When storing chicken feed, it is important that a sturdy container with tight lid is used to keep bugs, mice and other pest out as well as reducing the risk of mold that comes from excess moisture. This simple cubby keeps feed storage off the ground and organized. With enough clearance to easily access feed and scratch and a sturdy work surface often missing in a the coop environment. Place this coop cubby in or near the coop out of direct sunlight and protected from the elements to best extend the shelf life of perishable chicken feed.