Coop size guidelines ?

[LizGio]

Can someone please copy and paste the minimums for coops, size, ventilation, roost space. I see it pop up all the time but can't find it now that I want to share it! Thanks!!!

 

[NatJ]

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

With credit to @3KillerBs because that's who I copied it from:

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

 

[LizGio]

Perfect thank you!!!!!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

With credit to @3KillerBs because that's who I copied it from:

some of my favorite posters!

 

[aart]

Can someone please copy and paste the minimums for coops, size, ventilation, roost space. I see it pop up all the time but can't find it now that I want to share it! Thanks!!!

What is not listed there....is that these are general minimal guidelines and there are many variables based on climate, flock keepers goals, and other factors.
More space is always better.
...and you need more than a quarter of a nest box, rather 1 nest for every 4 layers.

 

[3KillerBs]

What is not listed there....is that these are general minimal guidelines and there are many variables based on climate, flock keepers goals, and other factors.
More space is always better.
...and you need more than a quarter of a nest box, rather 1 nest for every 4 layers.

Excellent point.

Additionally, these are *guidelines* -- not hard-and-fast rules.

As this article so helpfully explains: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

 

[LizGio]

Thanks I was arguing with some dingus replying on FB questions. He was trying to tell someone 2-3 ft² if they free range he called me the chicken police

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks I was arguing with some dingus replying on FB questions. He was trying to tell someone 2-3 ft² if they free range

It *is* possible to use a very minimal coop under certain conditions.

IF they ALWAYS have access to their range from dawn to sunset every single day of the year regardless of weather or the vagaries of circumstance so that they are literally NEVER in the coop except to lay or sleep.

IF the "coop" is merely the most sheltered part of a large enclosure the meets the other guidelines with room to spare and the chickens are never locked into it.

IF the chickens in question are a semi-feral flock who are never shut up at all and thus the "coop" is merely a sheltered roost offered for their convenience.

IF you are a commercial farmer operating under a system of intensive management where all variables are tightly-controlled with automated systems and you are using birds bred to "tolerate confinement".

I have seen photos of a tropical/subtropical "coop" that consisted only of a small roof on posts with one wall and a roost under it -- just enough room for the birds to perch at night -- situated in the middle of a large fenced area of scrubland. That didn't meet the usual guidelines, but was perfectly suited to the climate and management.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't see those as minimums and certainly not maximums. They are what NatJ called them, guidelines. A starting point for people that don't know where to start. Those are pretty much for people that have a small backyard flock of a few hens already integrated. For many people those are overkill, more room that they can get by with. For many people some of those are not enough. Chickens don't understand the concept of coop space versus run space. They just see space. If you can manage them in a way that the coop and run space is always available then the coop or run by itself doesn't have to be that big. But if a heavy snow locks them in the coop only for days on end then coop space by itself becomes very important. If you are going to integrate chickens (especially young chicks to adults), have a broody hen raise chicks with the flock, or keep more than one rooster those guidelines may be problematic. If you are just going to have a few hens in Pennsylvania those numbers aren't all that bad. If you are going to do much more we might want to chat a bit.

I'm always in favor of providing as much room as you reasonably can. I find the less room I have the more behavioral problems I have to deal with, the harder I have to work, and the less flexibility I have to deal with issues as they come up. These are mostly for my comfort, convenience, and stress levels but the chickens benefit too.

If you are planning in buying a prefab coop let us review it before you spend good money on it, we will probably talk you out of it. If you are building your own let us review your plans. There may be things we can suggest to make it better for you especially in these days of high materials prices.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm always in favor of providing as much room as you reasonably can. I find the less room I have the more behavioral problems I have to deal with, the harder I have to work, and the less flexibility I have to deal with issues as they come up. These are mostly for my comfort, convenience, and stress levels but the chickens benefit too.

And having followed your advice in re: space = flexibility, etc. I heartily endorse it.