Is a Plastic Chicken Coop Worth It? UK 2026 Guide
Table of Contents
- Plastic vs Wooden Chicken Coop: What Lasts in UK Weather
- How to Get Rid of Red Mite in a Chicken Coop
- Best Chicken Coop for Easy Cleaning: Strip Down and Deep Clean
- Is a Plastic Chicken Coop Worth It?
- Choosing the Right Size and Setup
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 20, 2026
Plastic vs Wooden Chicken Coop: What Lasts in UK Weather
A plastic chicken coop is a hen house moulded from recycled or high-density plastic rather than timber, designed to resist rain, damp and temperature swings without rotting. Here in the UK, plastic outlasts wood because it cannot absorb water, swell, warp or harbour mites in cracks.
This guide from Chartley Chucks (Staffordshire) covers whether the switch is worth it.
The case for plastic rests on four things: it doesn't rot, it strips down fast, red mite struggle to establish in it, and it holds its value if you sell it on. Timber needs treating, re-felting and eventual replacement. Plastic asks for a hose/bucket and ten minutes.
How to Get Rid of Red Mite in a Chicken Coop
Red mite hide in tight joints, perches and felt roofs, so the fix is removing the places they live. Smooth plastic and laminate surfaces leave them nowhere to settle.
- Strip the coop completely: perches, nest box, trays, roof etc. Examine and strip feeders too, red mites can live in those too.
- Wash every surface with water and a poultry-safe cleaner, especially perch ends and pop-hole frames
- Treat the birds with a licensed poultry product, dry fully, and repeat every few days for two weeks
A coop built from high-performance laminate (HPL) or recycled plastic makes this routine quick. The Easicoop Chalet 2XL is engineered to eliminate red mite and resist predators, with a 10-year warranty and a 25+ year lifespan. It has very few tight joints and simple flat panels that area easily cleaned and reversable.
Best Chicken Coop for Easy Cleaning: Strip Down and Deep Clean
The easiest coop to clean is one you can take apart without tools. Easily removable panels turn a two-hour job into twenty minutes.
Easicoop Chalet L HPL chicken coop 9 medium sized birds
The Nestera Large Lodge houses 7-8 medium birds in 7.7 sq ft, assembles in 60 minutes and disassembles in under 20, with a rear-access aperture and optional removable trays. The Easicoop Chalet L HPL offers a dual-hinged roof and 8.5 sq ft of perching space and can be assembled in less than 5 minutes once unpacked.
Coop |
Capacity |
Warranty |
Cleaning Access |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nestera Large Lodge |
7-8 medium birds |
25 years |
Rear aperture, optional trays |
£595-£499 |
Easicoop Chalet L HPL |
9 birds |
10 years |
Dual-hinged roof, top access |
£595-£535 |
Nestera Aspen 6 |
6 birds |
25 years |
Optional cleaning trays |
£575-£525 |
Nestera Aspen 10 |
10-13 medium birds |
25 years |
Optional cleaning trays |
£745-£655 |
Easicoop Chalet 2XL |
10-15 large birds |
10 years |
Dual-hinged roof, top access |
£790-£635.00 |
Omlet Pro |
10 birds |
2 years |
Rear access, trays |
£1499.00 |
Omlet cube |
6 Birds |
2 years |
Rear access, trays |
£769 |
Is a Plastic Chicken Coop Worth It?
Yes, if you plan to keep hens for more than three years. The higher upfront cost is offset by zero maintenance, no re-felting, no rot repairs and strong resale value.
Wooden coops cost less initially but need annual treatment and typically need replacing within a decade. Plastic coops from Nestera carry a 25-year warranty, so the cost per year is lower than timber.
Where plastic falls short: it can feel warmer in direct summer sun, and some keepers prefer the look of timber. Neither is a dealbreaker. High Density Laminate HPL, is a heavy material and is thermally more efficient than wood, so it heats up more slowly than plastic and cools down more slowly.
Choosing the Right Size and Setup
Overcrowding causes stress, feather pecking and dirty eggs. A large coop can accommodate fewer birds than its sized for and as most poultry keepers add more birds than they initially planned, GO BIG!
- 7-8 medium birds: Nestera Large Lodge or Large Penthouse or Easicoop Chalet L
- 6 medium birds: Nestera Aspen 6
- 8-15 medium birds: Easicoop Chalet 2XL or Aspen 10
All Nestera and Easicoop models are compatible with automatic door openers. Chartley Chucks (Staffordshire) acts as an agent for Nestera and Easicoop coops, with collection or UK-wide delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are plastic chicken coops better than wooden ones?
For most UK gardens, yes. Plastic and HPL coops resist damp and rot, which timber cannot match over years of rain. They are also red mite free because the smooth surfaces leave mites nowhere to hide, whereas wooden joints give them shelter. The trade-off is upfront cost, but a 25-year warranty on recycled plastic models means the yearly cost works out lower than replacing a wooden coop every few seasons.
Do plastic chicken coops get too hot in the summer?
Not when they are well ventilated. Models with adjustable ventilation, such as the Nestera range, let you open airflow in warm spells and close it down in winter. Light-coloured roofs also reflect heat. Site the coop in dappled shade during July and August, and check that the pop-hole and vents are clear. A coop that is sealed and unshaded will overheat, whether it is plastic or timber.
How do you clean a plastic chicken coop?
Strip it down and hose it out. The smooth panels wipe clean with standard poultry-safe disinfectant, and a rear access panel or removable tray means no awkward corners. The Nestera Large Lodge and Easicoop Chalet 2XL both disassemble in under 20 minutes, so a full deep clean takes about half an hour. Let the surfaces dry fully before adding fresh bedding, and check the perches while the coop is open.
Keeping hens is a long commitment, and the housing you choose decides how much of that time you spend cleaning versus enjoying your flock. Chartley Chucks supplies plastic coops built for exactly that: hygienic surfaces, no maintenance, and a strip-down design that makes deep cleaning a chore you finish in one cup of tea. Browse the range or get in touch for advice on matching a coop to your garden and your birds.
