How Big Should My Chicken Coop Be?
Calculate chicken coop and run size by flock size. Space requirements per bird.
Space Requirements
Coop (sleeping/shelter): 4 sq ft per standard chicken, 2 sq ft for bantams, 6 sq ft for large breeds. Run (outdoor): 10 sq ft per bird minimum, more for confined flocks. Roost: 8-12 inches per bird, raised 2-4 feet off the floor. Nest boxes: One per 3-4 hens, 12×12×12 inches each. Overcrowding causes stress, pecking, disease, and reduced egg production.
Beyond Minimum Sizes
Minimums prevent suffering, but chickens thrive with more space. Doubling the minimum run size dramatically reduces behavioral problems (feather picking, bullying). Free-range access for even a few hours daily improves egg quality, reduces feed costs (chickens eat bugs and plants), and keeps the flock calmer. If your zoning allows it, supervised free-ranging is the single best upgrade you can provide.
Backyard chicken economics: 6 hens produce approximately 4-5 eggs per day (1,400-1,800 per year). At $5-7/dozen for free-range eggs, that is $580-1,050 worth of eggs annually. A basic coop costs $200-500 to build, feed costs $20-30/month. Most backyard flocks break even in year 1 and produce "free" eggs thereafter (plus entertainment, pest control, and garden fertilizer).
