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
| Hens | Coop floor | Run | Perch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0.8 m² (9 sq ft) | 3 m² (32 sq ft) | 44 cm |
| 4 | 1.6 m² (17 sq ft) | 6 m² (65 sq ft) | 88 cm |
| 6 | 2.4 m² (26 sq ft) | 9 m² (97 sq ft) | 132 cm |
| 8 | 3.2 m² (34 sq ft) | 12 m² (129 sq ft) | 176 cm |
| 10 | 4 m² (43 sq ft) | 15 m² (161 sq ft) | 220 cm |
| 12 | 4.8 m² (52 sq ft) | 18 m² (194 sq ft) | 264 cm |
| 15 | 6 m² (65 sq ft) | 22.5 m² (242 sq ft) | 330 cm |
| 20 | 8 m² (86 sq ft) | 30 m² (323 sq ft) | 440 cm |
Per bird the rule is 0.4 m² (4.3 sq ft) of coop floor plus 1.5 m² (16.1 sq ft) of run — 1.9 m² (20.5 sq ft) in total for every hen you keep. Multiply and you have any flock size: ten hens need 19 m², twenty need 38 m². Perch length matters as much as floor: hens roost shoulder to shoulder at night and 22 cm each is the minimum before the ones pushed off start sleeping in the nest boxes.
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.
The mistake that costs hens in winter is the one that feels kindest. Owners close every gap to keep the birds warm, and the coop fills with damp and ammonia from the droppings — hens tolerate cold well and damp air badly, so a sealed coop produces the frostbitten combs and respiratory trouble it was meant to prevent. What you want is generous ventilation high up, above roosting height, with no moving air at the level where they sleep. If you can smell ammonia when you open the door in the morning, the ventilation is already too little.
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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