How much head room is needed for the chickens?

[red-hen]

Hi all,

I've been sketching out coop plans on paper for weeks. One thing that makes me stumble, however, is not knowing how much headroom to allow for the girls (and possibly a roo).

For example, I'm considering an ark ... so the downstairs would be grazing, and the upstairs would be nesting / sleeping quarters.

How tall are standard chickens? (Think Buff Orpington, Salmon Faverolles, Sussex)

How tall are bantams? (Think Pekin/Cochins, D'uccles, Silkies, Easter Eggers, Dutch)

I haven't been around chickens since I was young, and I was a bit smaller then so I can't remember how big they really were!
Thanks!

 

[silkiechicken]

My grow out pens are 2 feet tall and they work fine. However, my rooster who is a standard sized cochin cross will crow in there when he feels like it and his head is bent up on the roof.

They can crouch, but to get a real good stretch, I say 3 feet tall would be good for your standards, and 2 ft tall for your banties.

 

[red-hen]

Thanks very much

That helps bunches.