How to build a predator proof chicken coop on a budget?

Not sure if this will be seen soon since it's been awhile since anyone has posted here or how to make it visible unless by a new post.
I want to build a chicken coop/house out back for laying chickens I'm getting soon. It needs to be predator proof without question.
I may need to do a second one in a building I have to keep chickens safe and predator proofed in the cold winter months we have here.
I'm very open to suggestions. I've never undertaken such a project and on limited income but definitely believe if there is a will there is a way.

A lot of the decisions you make will depend on how many chickens you are planning on and what kinds of predators you are fighting.  Also important is where you will be putting the coop.  Inside or outside other fences for instance.  I will give you some of my reasoning as an example but for useful suggestions I think we'll need a little more information.

I don't have to consider bears where I live but we do have foxes, raccoons, snakes, rats, and birds of prey which all have slightly different defensive needs.  Being a warm climate here and a small flock I spent most of my money on a secure run space which is large enough to entirely enclose a small coop that would not be secure on it's own.  It's enclosed in chicken wire with extra wrapping and a ground barrier or hardware cloth.  This keeps smaller predators from sliding through the holes and bored raccoons from fitting their paws inside.

A neighbor learned the hard way that this was a real danger when raccoons killed several of their rabbits. Inside a fenced suburban yard it's safe from larger predators that could just tear through the wire.

I appreciate your input.
I mostly will have to deal with racoons, possums and a few birds that would find them good for dinner.
There are also outdoor cats from a neighbor that I feed since they don't. But I imagine  they'd not leave the chickens alone either.
It's gets super hot here in the summer and very cold in winter.
Ideally I'd like to fence off an area inside an already fenced area that is for the chickens to free range some and be put in at night. They'd still need to be safe in that enclosure as well.
I can see giving them plenty of shade in hot summer months but in winter I think I may need to have a  place to put them inside another building I have and make it secure again from racoons. possums and the cats that come in and eat.
I'm only planning to have four chickens at most to start out with and a few chicks as well since the older hens will stop laying inside in the winter but the chicks will do better as they get older in laying.
I have planned to get the hardware cloth and fine wire since racoons have been known to tear the chicken piece by piece if can get a paw in or two. Also need to do a run for them as well.
I'm trying to learn now how to proceed so can get started but do do it right for the chickens safety and well being. I'm on a limited budget so won't be buying anything premade and prefer to do it on my own and learn how.
If you have cold temps in winter how do you keep them warm? I know some just use lots of straw vs a bunch of heat lamps.

Casie Becker wrote:A lot of the decisions you make will depend on how many chickens you are planning on and what kinds of predators you are fighting.  Also important is where you will be putting the coop.  Inside or outside other fences for instance.  I will give you some of my reasoning as an example but for useful suggestions I think we'll need a little more information.

I don't have to consider bears where I live but we do have foxes, raccoons, snakes, rats, and birds of prey which all have slightly different defensive needs.  Being a warm climate here and a small flock I spent most of my money on a secure run space which is large enough to entirely enclose a small coop that would not be secure on it's own.  It's enclosed in chicken wire with extra wrapping and a ground barrier or hardware cloth.  This keeps smaller predators from sliding through the holes and bored raccoons from fitting their paws inside.

A neighbor learned the hard way that this was a real danger when raccoons killed several of their rabbits. Inside a fenced suburban yard it's safe from larger predators that could just tear through the wire.

I can't help you with cold weather tips.  The whole country recently got a dramatic demonstration of how Texans handles real winter.  (For a super generous definition of handles).  

We will be repurposing the underside of the kids old trampoline as an additional run by wrapping the base with hardware cloth.  If you can get your hands on any old frames that can be a good start.  There's lots of other partial fabric outdoor structures that I have seen people toss when the fabric wears out.  Possibly even old above ground pools.  That pool rubber makes fantastic outdoor tarp material and I suspect could work well to help weather proof a coop roof.

If you can find a way to transport items, tons of usable building materials are often being given away on Craigslist.   Just choosing a random city in Iowa and there was wire fencing, lots of pallets, old furniture and several windows on offer. We made a couple nice indoor rabbit hutches out of old entertainment centers so even the battered furniture and old kitchen cabinets can be useful.   I would expect to see similar offerings across your state.  If you can't drive this will be less useful as few people will be offering to deliver free items to you.
I am going watch with interest to see people suggest for winter proofing.  That's an exotic topic for me.

Thanks for your response. I'm in Iowa as well and will definitely check out Craigslist and keep an eye on what's available that I can pick up.
Great idea to repurpose the underside of the kids old trampoline then wrapping with hardware clothe.
I have a lot of tarp but an old pool liner would be a good outdoor cover for a coop roof.
When I'm out and about I always keep an eye out for what people are tossing out on the curb too.  
i definitely will be keeping an eye out for winter proofing too.
Thanks again!

Casie Becker wrote:I can't help you with cold weather tips.  The whole country recently got a dramatic demonstration of how Texans handles real winter.  (For a super generous definition of handles).  

We will be repurposing the underside of the kids old trampoline as an additional run by wrapping the base with hardware cloth.  If you can get your hands on any old frames that can be a good start.  There's lots of other partial fabric outdoor structures that I have seen people toss when the fabric wears out.  Possibly even old above ground pools.  That pool rubber makes fantastic outdoor tarp material and I suspect could work well to help weather proof a coop roof.

If you can find a way to transport items, tons of usable building materials are often being given away on Craigslist.   Just choosing a random city in Iowa and there was wire fencing, lots of pallets and several windows on offer. I would expect to see similar offerings across your state.  If you can't drive this will be less useful as few people will be offering to deliver free items to you.
I am going watch with interest to see people suggest for winter proofing.  That's an exotic topic for me.