Hey everyone! 👋
One of the biggest mistakes first-time chicken keepers make is building a coop that’s too small! Chickens need space to stay happy, healthy, and avoid pecking or stress. But how much space do they actually need? Let’s break it down!
🐔 Basic Coop Size Guidelines
Inside the Coop: (Where they sleep and lay eggs)
📏 3-4 sq. ft. per chicken (Example: 4 hens need at least 12-16 sq. ft. inside the coop)
Outside the Coop (Run/Enclosure): (Where they roam during the day)
📏 8-10 sq. ft. per chicken (Example: 4 hens need at least 32-40 sq. ft. in the run)
Nesting Boxes:
📦 1 box per 3-4 hens (They like to share!)
Roosting Bars (Perches):
🦶 10-12 inches per chicken (They need space to sleep comfortably!)
🐥 Adjusting for Flock Size
🐓 4 Chickens: 12-16 sq. ft. coop, 32-40 sq. ft. run
🐓🐓 6 Chickens: 18-24 sq. ft. coop, 48-60 sq. ft. run
🐓🐓🐓 10 Chickens: 30-40 sq. ft. coop, 80-100 sq. ft. run
🚧 Planning for Expansion
Let’s be real… "chicken math" is real! If you think you’ll start with 4 chickens, you’ll probably end up with 8! 😂 Build bigger than you think you need to save yourself a rebuild later.
🐺 Predator Protection Tips
🔹 Use hardware cloth (not chicken wire!) – Raccoons can rip through chicken wire!
🔹 Bury fencing 12 inches deep – Keeps out digging predators like foxes.
🔹 Lock the coop at night – Chickens won’t protect themselves!
💬 How big is your coop? Did you build bigger than you needed or wish you had? Share your experiences (and pictures!) below! 📸👇🐔🏠
