How Big a Coop Do 30 Chickens Need?
30 standard-size chickens need a 120 sq ft coop, a 300 sq ft run, 300 inches of roost, and 8 nesting boxes.
Figures reviewed against university extension guidance · Last reviewed July 2026
| Bird type | Coop | Run | Roost | Nest boxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard breeds | 120 sq ft | 300 sq ft | 300 in | 8 |
| Bantams | 60 sq ft | 240 sq ft | 240 in | 8 |
| Heavy breeds | 180 sq ft | 300 sq ft | 360 in | 8 |
Rates: 4 sq ft coop and 10 sq ft run per standard bird (Virginia Cooperative Extension; Colorado State University Extension). Run figures assume birds are confined; free-range flocks need only the coop numbers.
What that looks like in practice
For 30 standard chickens, a 6 × 20 ft coop covers the120 sq ft floor requirement. Floor space means usable floor — don't count feeder footprints or the area under nest boxes mounted lower than 18 inches. The 300 sq ft run works out to roughly a30 × 10 ft enclosure attached to the coop.
Inside, plan 300 inches of roost — 7 four-foot roost bars mounted higher than the nest boxes — and 8 twelve-inch nesting boxes in the darkest corner. These are extension-guidance minimums for healthy birds, not luxury targets: cold climates, bossy roosters, and pecking-prone breeds all appreciate more room.
Keeping different birds, or planning to free-range? Use the full Coop Size Calculator to adjust for bantams, heavy breeds, and run type.
Other flock sizes
Sources
- Virginia Cooperative Extension — Small-Scale Poultry Housing (pub. 2902-1092)
- Colorado State University Extension — Brooding and Space Requirements for Poultry (2.502)