So How Much Space Does a Chicken Really Need?

Are you thinking about keeping chickens in your backyard? If so, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is how large your chicken coop should be. Without enough space, it can lead to overcrowding issues which can affect the health and wellbeing of your flock.

To help make this easier on you, we’ve put together an in-depth guide that will walk you through all of the factors involved with calculating chicken coop size. So if you’re ready to find out how much room chickens need for a healthy and happy life – let’s get started!

Calculating Coop Size

When calculating space requirements, you will first need to decide how much time your birds will be spending inside their coop. Will your chickens only spend the night time roosting inside their coop, and then be let out every day to free range in your yard? Or does the coop need to be big enough for your chickens to live inside full time?

Roosting At Night Only – How Much Space Do Chickens Need?

If your chickens will be let out of their coop every morning to free range in your backyard, you can consider a smaller chicken coop size. You will not need to worry about run space. Instead, make sure the roosting bars are large enough to accommodate all your chickens at the same time. This will allow all your birds to perch together overnight.

Each standard sized hen will need need roughly 20cm of perch length. Also consider nesting boxes. You will need one nesting box for every three hens.

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a nest box per chicken as they won’t all lay at the exact same time and are usually happy to take turns and share.

Inside Their Coop Full Time – How Much Space Do Chickens Need?

If your chickens will be living inside their coop full time and will not be let out each day, you will need a larger coop with an enclosed outdoor area called a ‘run’.

This outdoor space allows your chickens enough room to free range, dust bathe, stretch their wings, have personal space away from other hens, and have a break from sitting inside their hen house.

Inside Their Coop Full Time - How Much Space is Needed

A run should allow a bare minimum of one square metre of outdoor space per chicken (approximately 10 square feet).

But remember – the more room chickens have, the happier they will be! If you have enough backyard space to accommodate a larger run, we definitely recommend doing that. Chickens with more room are happier, healthier and have higher egg production.

Different Breeds

When it comes to choosing the size of your chicken coop, you’ll want to take into consideration what breed of chickens you’ll be keeping. Backyard chickens can vary a lot in size!

Here at Somerzby, when we recommend how many chickens will fit into each coop, we are thinking of standard sized hens such as Australorps, Isa Browns or Rhode Island Reds.

Larger Breeds

The larger the breed, the more space they will require to be comfortable and happy.

Larger breeds such as Brahmas and Jersey Giants will need more outdoor space per chicken and longer roosting bars.

They will also need their roosting bars to be closer to the ground – heavy, large birds can injure their feet or legs when jumping down from high perches. This can result in painful bumblefoot.

Also consider if the coop’s doorways will have enough room for them to easily walk through and if the ramps are thick enough to support their weight.

They will also need their roosting bars to be closer to the ground – heavy, large birds can injure their feet or legs when jumping down from high perches. This can result in painful bumblefoot.

Also consider if the coop’s doorways will have enough room for them to easily walk through and if the ramps are thick enough to support their weight.

Smaller Breeds

On the other hand, smaller bantam breeds such as Silkies will need less space. They can be housed in a smaller coop with shorter perches, smaller nesting boxes, and have less room in their chicken run.

If a coop is recommended for six regular sized chickens, you could fit seven or eight bantams comfortably in the same space.

What Happens if There is Not Enough Space?

When it comes to raising chickens, space should be your number one priority. Having too many chickens in a coop that is not properly sized can cause overcrowding, leading to stress and potential issues.

If you notice any of the below problems, it is time to invest in larger housing.

Bullying

If your chickens are in a very small space, they are more likely to fight. Chickens higher up in the pecking order typically want more space to themselves. When submissive birds come into their personal space, they are likely to attack them. This can result in physical injuries.

Laying Issues

If your chickens are squashed into a small coop, they are likely to feel stressed. This will result in them laying fewer eggs. Egg weight and quality may also be reduced.

If you do not have enough nest boxes, your hens may lay their eggs on the ground or in unexpected places. This will result in more broken eggs. Not only does this waste eggs but it can encourage chickens to start eating their own eggs, which is a tough habit to break.

Health issues

Chickens kept in small spaces will usually feel stressed out, won’t exercise, and will eat less. This can lead to malnutrition, feather pulling, and can make them more prone to diseases.

Dirty Housing

If you have a lot of mature chickens living in a small hen house, there will inevitably be more poop accumulating faster. It will quickly become a smelly, unhygienic mess! You will need to clean small chicken coops out more often to have happy hens.

Somerzby Coop Sizes

These recommendations are assuming you are using the coop to house your birds at night time only and that you are letting them out during the day to free range in your backyard.

If you plan to keep your chickens inside their coop full time, you will either need to have less chickens than recommended or add a large extension run onto your coop. These recommendations are also assuming you have regular sized chickens such as Australorps or Isa Browns.