Buying Guide

Chickens provide natural, chemical-free bug and weed control for your yard – and they manufactured some of the best natural fertilizer for your backyard.

After you’ve checked with your local city or county ordinances and homeowner’s association to be sure you’re allowed to house chickens, it’s a good idea to make your neighbors aware of your new farming endeavor (the promise of free farm-fresh eggs is a nice gesture).

So which comes first – the chicken, or the chicken coop? If you’re going to raise chickens, you’ll need a home for them that stimulates healthy laying conditions and keeps your feathered friends safe and comfortable.

How Much Room Do Chickens Need in a Coop?

The size of your chicken coop will be determined by the number of chickens you’ll own. Most chicken coop guides suggest you have approximately two square feet of space per standard adult chicken. Choosing the right-sized coop for the number of chickens helps keep the temperature inside the coop at a comfortable level and also minimizes injuries from pecking, which occurs when there is overcrowding.

Additionally, you’ll need to determine how many nesting boxes to add to the interior of your chicken coop. Nesting boxes offer a clean, private area for hens to lay their eggs. At a minimum, you should include one nest box for every four to five chickens. Nest boxes should be installed a couple of feet off the ground, or the hens may not use them.

You’ll also want to give consideration to the amount of space you provide your chickens outside of the coop. A chicken run is an enclosed outdoor area where your chickens can stretch out, dust bathe, or forage and scratch in the grass. When creating a chicken run, dedicate eight to ten square feet per standard adult chicken.

How Tall Should Chicken Coop Be?

Chicken coop should be a standard of three feet tall. The extra height in your chicken coop has several advantages. Higher ceilings allow for more ventilation which maintains a healthier environment. Small, screened windows can be added to many chicken coop designs to increase air circulation.