How Big Should a Chicken Coop Be? Space per Hen and Run Size
Part of the project planner: Planning a shed, pergola, garage slab or coop.
Plan on 4 square feet of coop per standard hen, 10 square feet of run each, one nesting box for every four hens and about a foot of roost bar per bird. Six hens need 24 ft² of coop and 60 ft² of run. The chicken coop size calculator works out your flock.
Coop and run by number of hens
Standard breeds, 4 ft² each in the coop and 10 ft² each in the run:
| Hens | Coop floor | Outdoor run | Nesting boxes | Roost bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12 ft² | 30 ft² | 1 | 3 ft |
| 4 | 16 ft² | 40 ft² | 1 | 3 ft |
| 6 | 24 ft² | 60 ft² | 2 | 5 ft |
| 8 | 32 ft² | 80 ft² | 2 | 7 ft |
| 10 | 40 ft² | 100 ft² | 3 | 8 ft |
| 12 | 48 ft² | 120 ft² | 3 | 10 ft |
| 15 | 60 ft² | 150 ft² | 4 | 13 ft |
| 20 | 80 ft² | 200 ft² | 5 | 17 ft |
Space by bird size
For six hens:
| Birds | Space each | Coop floor |
|---|---|---|
| Bantams | 2 ft² | 12 ft² |
| Standard breeds | 4 ft² | 24 ft² |
| Large or heavy breeds | 5 ft² | 30 ft² |
What the coop needs
- Roosts higher than the nest boxes, so hens sleep on them, 10 to 12 inches per bird.
- Nest boxes about 12 inches square, lower than the roost, in a quiet corner, one for every four hens.
- Ventilation up high, about one square foot of opening per bird, plus a closable window for winter.
- Predator proofing: half-inch hardware cloth (not chicken wire) on every opening, a buried skirt or apron around the run, and a latch that a raccoon cannot open.
- Dry, easy-to-clean floor with a layer of bedding, and a door or hatch for cleaning.
- Feed and water under cover, off the floor.
Before you build
- Check your local rules: many places limit the number of hens, ban roosters, or require a setback from the property line.
- Place the coop on well-drained ground, with shade in summer and shelter from the wind.
- More space is always better. Crowded hens peck each other and get ill.
See also the fence calculator for the run, and the gravel calculator for a dry base. Guidance only: follow local rules and advice from your vet.
Frequently asked questions
How much space do chickens need?
About 4 square feet each inside the coop and 10 square feet each in the run, for standard breeds. Six hens need 24 ft² of coop and 60 ft² of run.
How big a coop for 6 chickens?
At least 24 square feet inside (for example 6 × 4 ft), plus 60 square feet of run, 2 nesting boxes and 5 feet of roost bar.
How many nesting boxes do I need?
One box for every four hens, so 3 boxes for 12 hens. They share, and boxes that are too many get used for sleeping.
How much roost space does a hen need?
About 10 to 12 inches of roost bar each: 10 feet for 12 hens.
Do chickens need ventilation?
Yes: about one square foot of opening per bird, high up above the roosts, so damp air and ammonia escape without a draft on the birds.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.