Coop Size Per Bird

Standard rules of thumb: 3-4 sq ft of coop floor space per standard-size hen if they also have run access; 8-10 sq ft of run space per hen; 1 nest box per 3-4 hens; 8-12 inches of roost length per hen. Bantams need ~half the space. Crowding is the #1 cause of pecking, disease, and stress. Common buildable footprints (feet): 3x4, 4x4, 4x6, 4x8, 5x6, 5x8, 6x8, 8x8, 6x10, 8x10, 7x10, 8x12, 10x12, 10x16 — sized to standard plywood and lumber lengths.