Free Coop & Run Calculators (Enter Your Flock Size)

Enter how many full-size and bantam hens you have (or plan to have). You’ll see the minimum indoor coop space, minimum outdoor run space, and three real-world layout suggestions for each. Toggle “Plan for Growth” if chicken math might visit your coop soon. 😉

Why Space Matters

• Health & Cleanliness: More room means better airflow and drier litter. Tight coops trap moisture and ammonia, stressing your flock’s respiratory system.
• Behavior & Stress: Crowded hens squabble, feather-pick, and guard resources. Space keeps the pecking order calm and predictable.
• Egg Production: Comfortable hens eat and rest better—so they lay better.
• Winter Comfort: When hens spend more time inside, enough floor space prevents boredom pecking and keeps the coop fresher.

Minimum Space Guidelines

Use these healthy minimums. If your flock is indoors more (winter, predators, HOA), add extra.

• Roosting bars: About 1 linear foot per hen; a 2×4 laid flat lets toes tuck in winter.
• Nesting boxes: One box per 3–4 hens; keep them cozy, shaded, and clean.
• Feed & water: Multiple stations reduce bottlenecks and bossy hens.

Why “Extra Space” Pays Off

• Happier hens: Less pecking, fewer stress behaviors.
• Easier cleaning: Air moves, litter dries, smell drops.
• Future flexibility: Space to quarantine, brood, or… add just two more hens.

How the Bonus Calculators Help

Re-using a shed or prefab panels? These mini-calculators tell you the missing side length when you already know one dimension.

• Coop example: Need 40 sq ft and have a 5-ft wall? Enter 5 → you’ll see the other side should be ~8 ft.
• Run example: Need 100 sq ft and have 10-ft fence panels? Enter 10 → the other side is ~10 ft.

Healthy Layout Examples

• 4 hens: 4×4 ft coop (16 sq ft) • 5×8 ft run (40 sq ft)
• 6 hens: 4×6 ft coop (24 sq ft) • 6×10 ft run (60 sq ft)
• 8 hens: 4×8 ft coop (32 sq ft) • 8×10 ft run (80 sq ft)
• 10 hens: 5×8 ft coop (40 sq ft) • 10×10 ft run (100 sq ft)

If yard space is tight, consider taller coops with interior shelves, a partially covered run, and removable partitions for broodies or new chicks.

✅ Coop Design Checklist

Tape this near your feed bin while planning or upgrading your coop!

• Each hen has about 1 foot of roosting space; bars should be wide for winter toes.
• Vent high, block drafts at roost height, and keep air fresh and dry.
• Nesting boxes: 1 per 3–4 hens; cozy, shaded, and clean.
• Litter stays dry; easy to rake or refresh weekly.
• Water stays clean and accessible in all seasons.
• Access doors make cleaning and egg collection simple.
• Add 10–20% more space to plan for future flock growth.

From my coop: A well-planned space keeps hens calm and mornings peaceful—trust me, it’s worth every extra inch.

🌼 Herbal Comfort for a Happy Coop

Once your coop and run are the right size, keep them smelling fresh and feeling peaceful with natural herbs. These blends not only make your coop more inviting but can also help reduce stress, deter pests, and support steady laying.

Nesting Box Herbs

A soothing blend of 9 herbs including marigold, chamomile, and lavender to calm hens, freshen boxes, and encourage steady laying.

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Cooling Herbs

A refreshing mix of hibiscus, peppermint, & lemon balm to reduce heat stress & keep summer coops comfortable.

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Warming Herbs

Naturally warm from within. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, basil and oregano that support digestion and circulation in cold weather.

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From my coop: Once I added herbs, the difference in smell and hen calmness was night and day — they settle right in.

🌦️ Seasonal Space Tips for Your Coop

Each season brings new coop challenges — here’s how to adjust space, comfort, and herbs for happy hens year-round.

☀️ Summer

• Keep air moving: open vents, shade cloth, and covered dust baths.
• Use the run fully—add perches, swings, and herb bundles (peppermint, lemon balm) for scent and calm.
• Offer Cooling Herbs to ease heat stress and support hydration.

❄️ Winter

• Use deep litter or sand for warmth and dryness.
• Provide extra indoor enrichment to reduce boredom pecking.
• Plan for extra square footage when hens spend more time inside.
• Mix in Warming Herbs to boost circulation and support immunity.

🪶 Molting Season

• Increase protein in feed or snacks for feather regrowth.
• Handle gently—new feathers are sensitive.
• Keep space generous so hens can rest and recover.
• Freshen coop air with Nesting Box Herbs to reduce stress and odor.

From my coop: Once I started adjusting space and herbs by season, my hens stayed calmer, cozier, and more productive year-round.

FAQs

Do I need more space if my hens stay inside during winter?

Yes. If the run is icy or you’re predator-limited, give at least 20% more indoor room and add enrichment.

Can I mix bantams and standard hens?

Absolutely. The main calculator accounts for both sizes and combines the totals.

Are these numbers minimums or ideals?

They’re healthy minimums I’ve used for years. You’ll never regret a little extra room—calmer hens and easier cleaning are the payoff.

Can I repurpose a shed?

Yes—measure the floor area and divide by your hens. If you’re short on space per bird, convert part of the run into a covered “winter porch.”