{
  "slug": "chicken-coop-size",
  "title": "Chicken Coop Size Calculator",
  "heading": "Chicken Coop & Run Size Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/chicken-coop-size",
  "summary": "Square footage, roost bar, nest boxes, and feed for your flock.",
  "description": "Crowding is the root cause of most backyard flock problems — pecking, respiratory illness, and wet bedding all trace back to too many birds in too little space. Size the coop, run, roost, and nest boxes from bird count and breed size.",
  "formula": "Coop ≈ 3–4 sq ft/bird, run ≈ 8–10 sq ft/bird, roost ≈ 10 in/bird, 1 nest box per 4 hens.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=chicken-coop-size",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "birds",
      "label": "Number of birds",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 8,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "size",
      "label": "Breed size",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "standard",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "bantam",
          "label": "Bantam"
        },
        {
          "value": "standard",
          "label": "Standard laying breed"
        },
        {
          "value": "heavy",
          "label": "Heavy / meat breed"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "access",
      "label": "Outdoor access",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "run",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "run",
          "label": "Enclosed run only"
        },
        {
          "value": "range",
          "label": "Free range most days"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "feedPrice",
      "label": "Feed price per 50 lb bag",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 22,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "eggRate",
      "label": "Eggs per hen per week",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 5,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0,
      "max": 7
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "coop",
      "label": "Coop floor space (sq ft)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "run",
      "label": "Run space (sq ft)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "roost",
      "label": "Roost bar length (ft)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "nests",
      "label": "Nest boxes",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "feedMonth",
      "label": "Feed per month (lb)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "feedCost",
      "label": "Feed cost per month",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "eggs",
      "label": "Eggs per month",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Number of birds: 8",
      "Breed size: Standard laying breed",
      "Outdoor access: Enclosed run only",
      "Feed price per 50 lb bag: 22 $",
      "Eggs per hen per week: 5"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Coop floor space (sq ft): 24",
      "Run space (sq ft): 80",
      "Roost bar length (ft): 6.7",
      "Nest boxes: 2",
      "Feed per month (lb): 61",
      "Feed cost per month: $26.75",
      "Eggs per month: 173"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter number of birds.",
      "Enter breed size.",
      "Enter outdoor access.",
      "Enter feed price per 50 lb bag ($).",
      "Enter eggs per hen per week.",
      "Read your coop floor space (sq ft) on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "birds": 5,
        "size": "standard",
        "access": "run",
        "feedPrice": 13,
        "eggRate": 3
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "birds": 8,
        "size": "standard",
        "access": "run",
        "feedPrice": 22,
        "eggRate": 5
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "birds": 13,
        "size": "standard",
        "access": "run",
        "feedPrice": 35,
        "eggRate": 7
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Can I go smaller than 3 sq ft per bird?",
      "a": "Only if the flock is outdoors nearly all daylight hours in a large run. In climates with long winter confinement, 4 sq ft per standard bird is the safer floor."
    },
    {
      "q": "Do hens share nest boxes?",
      "a": "Constantly — they will queue for a favorite box and ignore the rest. One box per four hens is enough; adding more rarely changes the queuing behavior."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/horse-feed",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/pet-ownership-cost"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Chicken Coop Size Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/chicken-coop-size)"
}