5 Chicken Coop + Run, Recommended Dimensions?

[twinsprouts]

Hey y'all!

Quick question: What are the standards (per chicken) for an appropriately sized run and coop?

TIA for any advice you have for me. More details below:

I'm looking to build my own coop in the coming years. That said, I'm putting together a sort of "5 year plan" map of my new (currently empty) back yard.

My prior experience with chickens was my mother's flock. A very VERY large flock in a converted shed with an attached run that they hardly used because they were allowed to free range on our acreage as far as their little hearts commanded them to wander.

So, let's say in our new city, I'm allowed to keep a maximum of 5 chickens. They are not allowed to free range. I think I'll build to the specs of a 5-chicken coop and only keep 3-4 to leave a buffer in case something comes up and I wind up with extra(s).

What are the standards (per chicken) for an appropriately sized run and coop? In a perfect world, I would give them unlimited room, but unfortunately I have to work within the bounds of my yard and my budget.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The recommended minimums on here are 4 sq ft coop, 10 sq ft run, per chicken. If you can go larger, especially with the run, that would be preferable. Even for just 3 birds I'd recommend at least 10x10 run if you have space for that, to allow for room to place clutter and enrichment items, and to give you and your tools space to maneuver in.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined!

Larger is better but you have budget constraints. My preference is for a walk-in coop but for only 5 chickens you don't need that. In North Mississippi your weather should allow chickens to be outside all day practically all day so you have some freedom there.

By Rosemary's numbers (pretty common on here) the coop could be 4' x 5'. But building materials often come in 4' and 8' dimensions in the least expensive versions. 8 feet long lumber, 4' x 8' sheets of plywood for example. You can generally get a larger coop for the same money by using these basic dimensions. For a small coop like yours, a 6' dimension isn't bad. You can split a piece of plywood or your cut-offs can be used to build nests and such. A 6x4 coop probably would not cost much if any more than a 5x4 and could require less cutting. You have to plan carefully so the 4' and 6' dimensions are out-to-out and not inside-to-inside.

You will want your roof sloped so rainwater runs off. A sloped roof will take more material than the 6x4 dimension. I like an overhang so I can have ventilation up high and still keep rainwater out. You can probably do that with a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Slope the roof so rainwater does not go into the run and does not fall on doors/gates.

I'm using 6' and 4' as an example to show the principles. Nothing wrong with a 4x8, just pay attention to the roof. And remember cut-offs can be used for nests and such.

What will your run look like? How will you build it? Are you just going to put in some posts and stretch wire fencing? If so, you are not that limited in size. Your posts can go at different dimensions, 8 feet apart is pretty common. How long a roll of wire will you get? You can get a fairly large run for not a lot of money. Don't forget to figure in run gates or doors.

If you are going to frame out a run using lumber like 2x4's, the 8' dimension could become important. Don't forget to figure out your length of a roll of wire and how many rolls you will need and the gate/door.

Are you going to cover your run? Don't forget to include materials for that in figuring how to be efficient.