Hens & Coops

Guide

Chicken Coop Size: How Much Space Per Chicken

The 4/8 rule

Plan 4 sq ft of coop floor per bird and 8–10 sq ft of outdoor run. More space = healthier, calmer birds.

Roost and nest space

8–10 inches of roost bar per bird, and one nesting box per 3–4 hens.

Quick sizing table

4 birds → 16 sq ft coop · 8 birds → 32 sq ft · 12 birds → 48 sq ft (plus 2x that in run).

Bigger is cheaper than regret

Overbuilding the run is the cheapest way to avoid pecking and disease problems later.

Como Amazon Associate, ganamos por compras calificadas.

Frequently asked questions

How much space per chicken?

About 4 square feet inside the coop and 8–10 square feet in the run per standard-size bird.

What happens if the coop is too small?

Stress, feather pecking, disease and fewer eggs.

How big for 6 chickens?

About 24 sq ft of coop + 48–60 sq ft of run (roughly a 6x8 run).