How Big a Coop Do 4 Chickens Need?
4 standard-size chickens need a 16 sq ft coop, a 40 sq ft run, 40 inches of roost, and 1 nesting box.
| Bird type | Coop | Run | Roost | Nest boxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard breeds | 16 sq ft | 40 sq ft | 40 in | 1 |
| Bantams | 8 sq ft | 32 sq ft | 32 in | 1 |
| Heavy breeds | 20 sq ft | 40 sq ft | 48 in | 1 |
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 4 standard chickens, a 4 × 4 ft coop covers the16 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 40 sq ft run works out to roughly a4 × 10 ft enclosure attached to the coop.
Inside, plan 40 inches of roost — 1 four-foot roost bar mounted higher than the nest boxes — and 1 twelve-inch nesting box 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.