Chicken Coop Size Calculator

Size a coop and run from your flock — floor area, run area, and nesting boxes.

Inputs
Flock size6
Results update as you type — no submit
ResultsLIVE
Coop floor
18 sq ft
≈ 1.7 m²
Run area
60 sq ft
≈ 5.6 m²
Run area60 sq ft
Total footprint78 sq ft (7.2 m²)
Nesting boxes2
Formula
coop = 6 × 3 ft² · run = 6 × 10 ft² · boxes = ceil(6 ÷ 4)
Diagram — coop & run planNTS
COOP18 sq ftRUN60 sq ftCOOP + RUN FOOTPRINTPLAN · HATCHED = ENCLOSED RUNMEASURESHED · 6 BIRDS2 NEST BOXES
MeasureShedmeasureshed.com/calculator/chicken-coop-calculator
Chicken coop — build sheetUNITS: SQ FT · SCALE: NTS
Inputs
Flock size6 birds
Coop space3 ft²/bird
Run space10 ft²/bird
Nest box ratio1 per 4
Results
Coop floor18 sq ft
Run area60 sq ft
Total footprint78 sq ft
Nesting boxes2
Coop & run planNTS
COOP18 sq ftRUN60 sq ftCOOP + RUN FOOTPRINTPLAN · HATCHED = ENCLOSED RUNMEASURESHED · 6 BIRDS2 NEST BOXES
Shopping list
☐ 2 nesting boxes
☐ Coop + run: 78 sq ft of footprint
Formula
coop = 6 × 3 = 18 sq ft
run = 6 × 10 = 60 sq ft
boxes = ceil(6 ÷ 4) = 2
Estimates for planning only — a healthy flock needs more space, not lessSHEET 1 OF 1
How it works

Backyard flocks need two spaces: an enclosed coop for roosting and laying, and a run for daytime activity. Each is sized per bird. Extension poultry guidance puts a standard laying hen at about `3` to `4` square feet of coop floor and `8` to `10` square feet of run, so the calculator multiplies your bird count by the rate you choose for each and adds them for a total footprint.

Nesting boxes follow a separate rule of thumb: about one box for every `3` to `4` hens. Hens share and often queue for a favorite box, so more boxes rarely hurt while too few lead to squabbling and floor-laid eggs. The tool rounds the box count up, because you cannot install a fraction of a box.

These are minimums for healthy, low-stress birds. Crowding drives pecking, disease, and stress, so when in doubt, build bigger — especially for the run, where birds spend daylight hours. Bantams need less and large or active breeds appreciate more, which is why the per-bird rate is adjustable.

Worked example
`6` hens · coop `3 ft²`/bird · run `10 ft²`/bird · `1` box per `4` hens
coop floor = 6 × 3 = `18 sq ft` (about `1.7 m²`)
run = 6 × 10 = `60 sq ft` (about `5.6 m²`) · nesting boxes = ceil(6 ÷ 4) = `2`
Questions about coop sizing
Plan on about 3 to 4 square feet of coop floor and 8 to 10 square feet of run per standard hen. Six hens at 3 and 10 need roughly 18 square feet of coop and 60 of run — more is always better for the run.
SOURCES — University extension poultry-housing guidance (UNH, Penn State) · Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens
Minimums for a healthy flock — when in doubt, build bigger
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