Chicken Coop Size Calculator
How big should your coop be? Type in your flock below and you get four numbers back. Coop floor, run area, roost length and nest boxes.
Coop size calculator
Fill in the boxes to see the numbers.
Rule of thumb per bird: bantams 2 sq ft of coop and 8 sq ft of run. Standard hens 4 sq ft and 10 sq ft. Large breeds 5 sq ft and 15 sq ft. These are minimums. More room means calmer hens. Space guidance from the Extension Foundation.
Where the numbers come from
The standard hen figures follow university extension advice.
- Coop floor. The Poultry Extension guide on space allowances asks for at least 3 to 4 square feet per laying hen indoors. The calculator uses 4 so your hens are never at the tight end.
- Run. The same guide asks for 10 square feet per hen outdoors.
- Roost. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension asks for about 8 inches of roost per bird. The calculator rounds up to 9 inches.
- Nest boxes. Utah State University Extension says one nest box for every four to five hens. The calculator uses one for every 4.
The bantam and large breed settings are rules of thumb that keepers use. They are not from the extension guides. Bantams are about half the size of a standard hen so they get less. Brahmas, Jersey Giants and Cochins are big and slow. They get more.
How to use the result
The coop number is a minimum for hens that spend the day outside. If your hens will be shut in for long winter spells then plan on more room inside. Our guide on how much space chickens need explains why.
Then check any coop you like against the coop floor number. Find the size of the house part in the listing and leave the run out. Multiply length by width in feet. If the answer is smaller than your coop floor number then the coop is too small for your flock. It does not matter what the label says.
Coop guides by flock size
- Best chicken coop for 4 chickens
- Best chicken coop for 6 hens with a run
- Best chicken coop kits for beginners
- Chicken run size and fencing
- Chicken roosting bars
- Nesting boxes guide
FAQ
How big a coop do I need for 4 chickens?
About 16 square feet of floor inside the coop for 4 standard hens. Add about 40 square feet of run.
How big a coop do I need for 6 chickens?
About 24 square feet inside for 6 standard hens. Add about 60 square feet of run.
Do bantams need less space?
Yes. Bantams are about half the size of a standard hen. Many keepers plan on about 2 square feet each inside.
Can I trust the hen count on a coop kit?
Not always. Many kits print a hen count that their floor can’t hold. Measure the house floor and compare it with the coop floor number above.
