Cocoon ECO 1500 Chicken Coop Review – Affordable, Practical Coop for 2–3 Hens

Cocoon ECO 1500 Chicken Coop Review

If you’re just starting out with a small backyard flock, the Cocoon ECO 1500 could be exactly what you need. Compact, cleverly designed, and available at a wallet-friendly price, this 5ft wooden coop comes with a covered run, pull-out tray and plastic eco roofs – all for under £160 at the time of writing. In this review, I’ll take a closer look at its features, build quality, setup process and real-world suitability for keeping chickens.

Compact design, ideal for small flocks

With overall dimensions of 150cm long by 70cm wide and just under a metre tall, the ECO 1500 is best suited for up to 2 medium-sized hens or 3 bantams. Anything larger, like hybrid layers or Rhode Island Reds, will find the run too cramped unless you’re attaching it to a larger run. That said, for bantams, silkies or other small breeds, it’s a practical starter option.

Key features and construction

This coop is made from lightweight wood with rot-resistant ECO plastic roofs and galvanised mesh. It includes a small nest box, roosting perch, and a fully enclosed run – all of which are integrated into one tidy footprint.

Notable features include:

• Metal-lined pull-out tray: Makes cleaning quick and easy
• Fully opening roof: Lets you access the coop from above without crawling inside
• Internal sliding night door: Lets you secure the hens at night without needing to enter the run
• Secure nest box floor: Helps protect eggs and bedding
• Covered run: Offers basic protection from rain and predators

There’s also a night-time locking arm and a small ventilation window with shutter – simple but thoughtful touches that you don’t often see at this price point.

Eco roofs: a smart upgrade

The plastic ‘eco’ roof panels are one of the coop’s standout features. Unlike felt, which can harbour red mites or degrade quickly in wet weather, these plastic sheets are both hygienic and long-lasting. I’d still recommend positioning the coop in a sheltered spot, but the roof design is certainly a step up from basic budget options.

Assembly and ease of use

Most buyers find it straightforward to assemble. The parts come pre-drilled and labelled, and it can be put together with a basic screwdriver or drill. A few reviewers have mentioned the instructions could be clearer, and some reported needing to drill extra holes or adjust misaligned parts. The wood is a little thin, so care is needed during assembly to avoid splitting.

Once built, the coop is lightweight enough to move around the garden, which is helpful for rotating onto fresh ground. The front access door, lift-up roof and pull-out tray make it manageable to clean, even without fancy tools.

Real-world feedback

With an average rating of 4.6 on Amazon and 4.4 on eBay, the ECO 1500 is one of the most popular small wooden coops on the market. Buyers regularly praise its good looks, ease of assembly, and clever layout for such a compact unit. Those living in wet or windy parts of the UK, including the north of Scotland, have commented that it holds up well in poor weather, especially when placed in a sheltered spot.

A common theme among reviews is that the coop is smaller than it looks in the product images. While most owners agree it’s perfectly suitable for two hens – particularly bantams or small breeds – the space can feel tight if the birds are confined for long periods. Many have added an extra run or let their hens free-range during the day to give them more room.

Others have noted that while the roof panels feel solid and well-made, the timber is a little thin and needs careful handling during assembly. Some found the instructions unclear or incomplete, but most said it went together fairly easily once they got going.

How the size compares to recommended space per chicken

The Cocoon ECO 1500 measures approximately 150cm long, 70cm wide and 93cm tall including overhangs. That gives a combined coop and run footprint of about 1.05m², though part of that is taken up by the house structure and nest box.

For comparison, recommended minimum space per chicken in the UK is:

• Inside the coop: 0.19–0.28m² per bird (depending on breed and welfare standard)
• In the run: 1m² per bird at absolute minimum, but 2–3m² per hen is far better for welfare and behaviour

This means the ECO 1500 is:

• Big enough inside for two hens to roost comfortably, as long as they’re small to medium in size
• Too small outside for hens to be confined full-time without extra run space or regular free-ranging

Most verified purchasers use it either:

• As a secure sleeping and nesting house, with hens having daytime access to a larger run or garden
• Or with an attached external run to meet space needs

As a standalone unit, it works well for short-term confinement, smaller breeds like bantams, or part-time housing. But for full-time use with two hens, you’ll definitely need to extend the run. You can find affordable run extensions on Amazon, though you can easily build one too.

Pros and cons

Pros
✔ Great value for money
✔ Metal pull-out tray for easy cleaning
✔ Rot-proof eco roof panels
✔ Integrated run and nesting box
✔ Lightweight and easy to move
✔ Popular with buyers and highly rated on both Amazon and eBay

Cons
✖ Wood is a little thin and needs care during assembly
✖ Instructions could be clearer
✖ Run space too small for full-time housing of standard-sized hens
✖ Some minor hardware improvements (e.g. lid catch) may be needed

Suitable flock size

Cocoon state the ECO 1500 is suitable for up to three bantams or one to two small to medium birds. Based on our review and user feedback, this feels about right. Two average-sized hens will be fine, especially if they get out into the garden or have access to a larger run. The main limitation is space during confinement – for full-time housing, you’ll want to consider adding extra run space or letting your birds roam.

Final thoughts

Given its price and high ratings, the Cocoon ECO 1500 is one of the best-value wooden chicken coops currently available in the UK. It’s compact, well thought out and includes features usually seen on more expensive models, like a pull-out tray and sliding night door. While it has some limitations in size and thickness of materials, it offers good value for those just starting out or with limited budgets.

If you’re looking for an affordable coop with practical features and you’re keeping a small flock, this one’s definitely worth a look – but your hens will need extra run space.

To find out more, visit the Cocoon Eco 1500 on Amazon

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