Chicken Coop Size Calculator
Enter your flock and get the coop floor, run area, roost length and nest boxes extension services recommend, or check how many hens a coop really holds.
How much space does my flock need?
How many hens fit in this coop?
Measure the inside floor, not the outside of the coop. Listed product dimensions include roofs and trim.
How the calculator works
| Measure | Minimum | Recommended | Generous | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coop floor, standard hen | 2 sq ft | 3.5 sq ft | 4 sq ft | Penn State (2); NC State (2.5–3.5); Poultry Extension (3–4) |
| Coop floor, bantam | 1 sq ft | 1.75 sq ft | 2 sq ft | Penn State (1); half of standard |
| Run, standard hen | 8 sq ft | 10 sq ft | 10 sq ft | Penn State, Oklahoma State, Poultry Extension |
| Run, bantam | 4 sq ft | 5 sq ft | 5 sq ft | Penn State (4) |
| Roost, standard hen | 6 in | 8 in | 10 in | Penn State (6); Oregon State (5–10); NC State (9–10) |
| Roost, bantam | 4 in | 5 in | 6 in | Penn State (4) |
| Nest boxes | 1 per 5 hens | 1 per 4 hens | 1 per 4 hens | Oregon State; NC State; UMaine |
Penn State gives 1.5 square feet for laying hens; we use 2 as the floor for a mixed backyard flock. If your hens spend most of the day in a large run, the minimum works; if they are shut in for long winters, use generous, and if they have no outdoor access at all, Oregon State Extension calls for 8–10 square feet per bird.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square feet does a chicken need?
About 3–4 square feet inside the coop and 8–10 in the run for a standard hen. Penn State lists 2 square feet inside (1.5 for laying hens) as its figure; bantams need about half.
How big a coop for 6 chickens?
About 21 square feet of floor at the recommended 3.5 square feet per hen (for example 5 x 5 feet), with a run of about 60 square feet, 4 feet of roost and two nest boxes.
How big a coop for 10 chickens?
About 35 square feet of floor (for example 6 x 6 feet) and a 100-square-foot run, with roughly 7 feet of roost and three nest boxes.
Sources
- Penn State Extension: Small Scale Poultry Housing
- NC State Extension: Keeping Garden Chickens in North Carolina
- Oregon State University Extension: EC 1644, Coop Design
- Oklahoma State University Extension: Backyard Flock Production
- Poultry Extension (extension.org): Space Allowances for Small and Backyard Flocks
- University of Maine Extension: Bulletin 2220, Raising Chickens
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