Question regarding the 4sq ft rule for coops

[Mikedero]

The way my property is and where I want them I cannot put them side by side but they will be end to end at least that is ok. Either way not much changes But I plan on to make both runs 8X20 it will increase the current chickens run by 32 sq ft give them more room.

I wish I had more room I really enjoy building chicken coops

trhanks for everyones help this morning

 

[CSWolffe]

Wow, 20 hens? I wish I was that lucky, my city only allows 4 to 6, depending on lot size. When planning my coop and run, I came across several 'rules' about how many square feet per chicken, and designed mine to hold 6, I currently have 4. I was way off. My coop is certainly big enough for them to roost and lay in, but that's it. My run is 40 sq ft, which is 10' per hen, and it's not anywhere near enough. They get bored when confined and start pecking. So now they have free range of my yard.
The more room you can give them the happier they will be. Not everyone can free range, sadly(heck, I'm not supposed to either). If you can only give them 10' per bird in the run, then that's all you can give. If you can give them 20', that would be better. Or 30', or even 100'.
Best advice I can give is exactly the same as I give clients when designing back yard decks/patios: go as big as you can afford and as much space as you have room for. I have never had a client complain their deck was too big, but I have heard time and time again how they wish they had gone bigger.