Pets
How big should a chicken coop be for my hens?
Coop floor m², outdoor run, nest boxes, roost length and bedding liters from hen count and size — plus feed kg per month.
Quick answer
Backyard hens need two spaces: a dry, draft-safe **coop** to sleep and lay, and an **outdoor run** to scratch. Hobby guides often aim for about **0.4 m²** of coop floor per standard hen plus **1–2 m²** of run — legal minima in some countries are lower and feel cramped. Nest boxes are shared: roughly **one box per 3–4 hens**. Roosts need about **20–25 cm** of perch length per bird.
Coop floor area
2.4 m²
- Outdoor run area
- 9 m²
- Nest boxes
- 2
- Roost length
- 1.3 m
- Bedding volume
- 192 L
- Layer feed / month
- ~20.7 kg
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Hobby targets: ~0.25–0.5 m² coop floor and ~0.9–2 m² run per bird by size class; ~1 nest per 3–4 hens; roost ~15–25 cm each. Bedding liters = coop m² × depth. Feed is a laying-hen ballpark — adjust for free-range and breed. Predator-proof the run; follow local rules. Not vet or commercial-farm advice.
How it works
Enter hen count and size class. The calculator returns coop floor, run area, nest boxes, roost length, bedding liters for the coop floor, and a rough layer-feed kg/month. Check local rules (urban chickens, fox-proofing, neighbor distance). Not veterinary or agricultural advice for commercial flocks.
Frequently asked questions
How much coop space per chicken?+
A practical hobby target is ~0.35–0.5 m² indoor floor per standard hen, plus a larger run outside. Bantams need less; heavy breeds more. More space means cleaner litter and fewer pecking issues.
How many nesting boxes do I need?+
About one nest box per 3–4 hens is usual — hens share. Place them lower than the roost so birds sleep on the perch, not in the nests.
How much feed does a laying hen eat?+
Roughly 100–130 g of layer feed per day for a standard hen in lay (~3–4 kg/month), plus grit and clean water. Free-ranging lowers bag use but does not replace a complete ration.
Do I still need a run if they free-range?+
Yes for night lock-up and predator safety, and as a daytime pen when you cannot supervise. Size the secure run for the days they stay enclosed.
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