Guides
Plan the coop before the chicks arrive
Every guide uses figures from US university extension services and links to the page each number came from.
How Much Space Do Chickens Need? Coop and Run, by the Numbers
Coop and run space per hen from ten university extension sources, why the numbers differ, and how to pick a figure for bantams, standard and large breeds.
How Many Nesting Boxes Per Hen? Ratios, Sizes and Placement
One nest box per four to five hens is the extension rule. Here is how to round it, how big each box should be, how high to mount it and what goes inside.
Roost Bar Spacing and Height: Inches Per Bird, Gaps and Lumber
How much roost each hen needs, how high to set the bars, how far apart, and what lumber to use, with the ranges from six extension publications.
Chicken Coop Ventilation Without Drafts
How much vent area a coop needs, where to put the openings so air moves above the birds and not across them, and how winter and summer needs differ.
Predator Proofing: Hardware Cloth vs Chicken Wire
Why extension specialists recommend 1/2 inch hardware cloth over chicken wire, how deep to bury it, what to put overhead, and how to read predator signs.
Coop Size for 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 Hens: Worked Examples
Five complete worked examples: coop floor, build size, run, roost length, nest boxes and vent area for 4 to 12 standard hens, with every step shown.
Cold Climate Coop Design Basics
Winter coop design from extension sources: siting against north wind, dry air over warm air, insulation, frostbite, water, light and the heat lamp question.
How Much Does a DIY Chicken Coop Cost? An Estimate Method
A method to estimate DIY coop and run materials: count panels, boards, mesh and roofing from your sizes, then price them locally. Ranges, not quotes.
Chick Season: When to Buy Chicks and How to Plan the Coop in Time
A week-by-week timeline from brooder to coop to first egg, based on extension guidance, so the coop is ready before the chicks outgrow the box.
Common Coop Building Mistakes (and the Extension Fix for Each)
Twelve coop mistakes that cost birds, eggs or money, from chicken wire and sealed-up coops to roosts below the nest boxes, with the extension fix for each.
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Get the printable coop checklist
One page to take to the lumber aisle and the build site. Every number on it comes from university extension guidance, with the source named.
- Floor space per hen, coop and run
- Roost inches, height and spacing
- Nest boxes: count, size, height
- Vent areas for winter and summer
- Hardware cloth, apron and night lockup
- Ordinances and setbacks to check first