How many chickens can I keep?

So you want to fit as many feathered friends as possible in your coop. We get it. Chicken math is real, and they seem to multiply like magic. So how much space do chickens need, and why is it important that they have it? 

In the same way a room packed with people feels claustrophobic and stuffy, a chicken coop can get overcrowded, causing behavioral and health issues for your birds. 

To keep your flock happy and healthy, each bird should be able to fully spread its wings in the coop (the indoor portion of their enclosure where they sleep and lay eggs), and have plenty of room to walk around in the run (the larger, outdoor section of the enclosure where they will spend most of their time). This means the amount of space a chicken needs varies slightly depending on its size. 

Here is a basic guideline for how much space each bird should receive:

In the coop (the indoor portion of enclosure)

• Bantams: 2 square feet per bird
• Light breeds (your average laying hen): 3 square feet per bird
• Heavy/large breeds: 4 square feet per bird

In the run (the outdoor portion of the enclosure)

• Bantams: 6 square feet per bird
• Light breeds (layers): 8 square feet per bird
• Heavy/large breeds: 10 square feet per bird

As far as nesting boxes (where your hens will lay their eggs), it’s good to plan on 1 box for every 4 hens. Chickens generally prefer to lay where there are already other eggs, so it’s likely your entire flock will probably pick one “favorite” box to use. However, it’s important to have options in case the coveted nesting box is already occupied. This will prevent unnecessary squabbles and broken eggs.  

Young birds are significantly smaller than adults, and do not need nearly as much space. They can get lost and cold easily, and a smaller enclosure will help keep them safe. Chicks should be separated from adults until they are mature enough to fend for themselves, and we recommend the following amounts of space for each age group:

• 0-1 week: 6 square inches per chick
• 2-11 weeks: 2.5 square feet per chick
• 12-20 weeks: 5 square feet per chick

Giving your flock adequate room to roam is crucial in keeping them healthy, both physically and mentally! Although they are fairly low-maintenance animals, chickens can get stressed or sick easily if not provided with the basic necessities they require. 

Chickens have a strict pecking order, and when they have adequate space, this hierarchy usually forms quite naturally. Overcrowded chickens are unable to build and maintain a healthy pecking order. When birds are stressed they will peck at anyone and everyone in their flock. This causes open wounds, deaths, and even cannibalism (yikes). 

It’s no secret that chickens poop a lot. Overcrowding also creates an environment where feces can build up very quickly, contaminating your birds’ food and water and creating an ideal environment for bacteria and parasites to grow. GoodEgg Wash can help with removing bacteria from the eggs, but overcrowding should still be avoided.

Finally, it’s important to remember that it’s likely your flock will grow in the future. Preparing adequate space for more chickens when buying or building your coop is always a good idea. And hey, if you somehow manage to resist the temptation to buy more chickens and end up with a little extra room in your coop, your feathered friends certainly won’t complain.