What is the amount of space that a chicken needs in a coop?

[10 point]

My book says 2 square feet per chicken if you have 10 square feet per chicken in the run. I personaly would recomend more space inside the coop.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Actually, they are outside most of the time... They only stay in for a few hours of laying time in the morning, then they are out all day long. They freerange so that is no issue (as we live on 52 acres). So, according to the 4 sq ft per hen, I should be able to keep around 24? Maybe less as to not squish them?

Patandchickens told you how she feels about space, and I have never run across one of her posts I didn't agree with. But it does make a difference if they go out every day; hers stay in quite a bit in winter. I'll just say that my coop is 11x17 and I would put 24 birds in there, but probably not many more. But I insist on having my two metal garbage cans (feed bins) and my lawn chair in there, and there's a 5x6 broody pen in one corner that isn't always open to the flock.

You may do fine with 24 birds in your coop, since they are out every day, or even more. Lots of folks seem to. You might think about hanging your nest boxes about 18" off the floor so they have that additional floor space.

 

[yelim]

Have not read anyone mention roosting space. Was sugested to have 12"
per bird roost length. I had 16' for 22 birds. Yeaterday I increased it to24'. Two rows of 12'.