How many square feet do I need in my coop for 10 chickens?

[ChickForLife]

I am building a new coop because they gave me 4 extra chicks. I was wondering if there are any free plans for this. Also, if there is not, how many square feet do I need in my coop. Thank you!

 

[sealer39]

4 sq ft per bird inside the coop and 10sq ft per bird in the run are the general guide lines.

 

[ChickForLife]

Okay, thank you!

 

[Ridgerunner]

This link leads you to a section under the "Articles" tab at the top of this page. Many of these coops have plans with them to help you build.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/chicken-coops.12/

For 10 chickens in Connecticut I'd be looking at a walk-in coop for a couple of reasons. You need to be able to reach everywhere inside the coop for cleaning, maintenance, and maybe retrieve an egg of chicken in a hard to reach space. You just need access to deal with things. My cut-off for that is eight chickens. Anything more than that and it jut gets really hard unless you can walk in.

I personally do not believe in magic numbers, whether that is square feet per chicken in the coop or run, roost space, age to integrate, pretty much anything to do with chickens. We are all unique so what works for one doesn't always work for another. If you want, you can follow the link in my signature to see why I don't believe in magic numbers for space.

Being in Connecticut (thanks for providing that info, it is important) you are going to have winter weather where they cannot use the run unless it is protected from snow and wind. If mine wake up to a white world they are not going out in that for a few days. It's not that they don't like snow, they don't like change. That white world is too much of a change. Also, mine have no problems going out if the temperature is below 0* F as long as a cold wind is not blowing. They may like a cool breeze in summer when it is really hot but if a cold wind is blowing when it is cold, mine are not going to be out in it. If they are trapped in the coop like that for days on end you need a bigger coop than say someone in Louisiana where they can be outside practically all day every day. Some people in the north wrap their runs in plastic in the winter to provide extra space. There are always different ways to do these things.

If you are buying the material new, most building materials come in 4' and 8' dimensions in the most economic versions. If you use these dimensions in your design you can reduce cutting and waste, plus often get a larger coop for practically no extra cost. But pay attention to your roof, since it needs to be sloped so water can run off it is going to be an odd dimension. A 6' coop width is not horrible at all. If you wind up with any cut-offs those can usually be used to build nests or such.

In your situation the minimum I'd be looking at is a 6' x 8' walk-in. That should give you enough room for your winters without doing too much in the run. And it gives you good access to work in there. Personally i'd build an 8' x 8' because I like the additional flexibility that room would give, but that costs more.

People keep saying chickens need this, chickens need that. You are important too. The more comfortable you are and the more convenient it is for you the more enjoyable the experience will be for you and you are more likely to take good car of your chickens. So they benefit too.