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How Big Should a Chicken Coop and Run Be for a Flock of Chickens?

If you’re planning to raise chickens, it’s essential to provide them with a comfortable and safe living space. One crucial aspect of this is determining the appropriate size for your chicken coop and run. In this article, we’ll explore the factors you should consider and the recommended sizes for a chicken coop and run for a flock of chickens. Before we get started, there is a fantastic company that offers many DIY chicken coop plans online, you can find them here! We do receive a commission from this affiliate link, they are smart designs and we think you will appreciate them taking the guesswork out of your coop building project 🙂

Now, on to the article!

Factors to Consider

Before you determine the size of your chicken coop and run, you should consider the following factors:

1. The Size of Your Flock: The size of your chicken coop and run will depend on the number of chickens you plan to keep. Generally, it’s recommended to provide at least 2-3 square feet of floor space per bird in the coop and 8-10 square feet of space per bird in the run.You can of course expand this space, the more the better to reduce flock stress and keep immunity and health high!
2. The Breed of Chickens: Different chicken breeds have different space requirements. For example, larger breeds like Orpingtons and Wyandottes will require more space than smaller breeds like Silkies or Bantams.
3. The Climate in Your Area: The size of your chicken coop and run will also depend on the climate in your area. In colder climates, you may need a larger coop to keep your birds warm, while in warmer climates, you may need a larger run to provide shade and ventilation.

Recommended Sizes for a Chicken Coop

As mentioned earlier, it’s recommended to provide at least 2-3 square feet of floor space per bird in the coop. Here are some recommended coop sizes for a flock of six chickens:

1. Minimum Coop Size: The absolute minimum size for a coop for six chickens is 12-18 square feet. This size will provide enough space for your birds to move around, but it’s not ideal for long-term living.
2. Medium Coop Size: For a more comfortable living space, a coop size of 24-36 square feet is recommended. This size will provide ample space for your chickens to move around, stretch their wings, and engage in natural behaviors like scratching and dust bathing.
3. Large Coop Size: If you want to give your chickens plenty of room to live, a coop size of 40-60 square feet is ideal. This size will provide plenty of space for your chickens to move around, and you can also add perches and nesting boxes for added comfort.

Recommended Sizes for a Chicken Run

For the chicken run, it’s recommended to provide at least 8-10 square feet of space per bird. Here are some recommended run sizes for a flock of six chickens:

1. Minimum Run Size: The minimum run size for six chickens is 48-60 square feet. This size will provide enough space for your chickens to move around, but it’s not ideal for long-term living.
2. Medium Run Size: For a more comfortable living space, a run size of 72-90 square feet is recommended. This size will provide ample space for your chickens to move around, and you can also add grass, plants, and other natural elements for added enrichment.
3. Large Run Size: If you want to give your chickens plenty of room to roam, a run size of 120-150 square feet is ideal. This size will provide plenty of space for your chickens to exercise, forage, and engage in natural behaviors.

When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?

If you are thinking about getting chickens, or have some growing up currently; you may be wondering when they will start laying eggs. The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the breed of chicken, the age of the chicken, time of year and the environment in which the chicken is raised.

In general, most chickens start laying eggs at around 18 weeks of age. However, some breeds of chickens, such as Leghorns, may start laying eggs as early as 16 weeks of age. Other breeds, such as German Bielefelder, may not start laying eggs until they are 20 weeks old or older.

The age at which a chicken starts laying eggs is also affected by the environment in which the chicken is raised. Chickens that are raised in a warm, sunny environment will typically start laying eggs sooner than chickens that are raised in a cold, dark environment. This is in part because chickens need at least 14 hours of sunlight to start laying reliably. That triggers a part of their brain to know that it is spring going into summer. The days are longer, they can forage for food longer to keep their protein sources up for solid egg production and they are not expending extra energy trying to keep warm.

If you are eager to get your chickens laying eggs, there are a few things you can do to help them along. First, make sure that you are feeding your chickens a high-quality layer feed. This will provide them with the nutrients they need to produce eggs. Second, make sure that your chickens have plenty of access to fresh water. Third, make sure that your chickens have a comfortable place to lay their eggs. A nesting box with soft bedding will be ideal. If you are past 20 weeks and have not seen eggs yet there is always a chance your ladies are hiding their eggs somewhere in the barnyard. A REAL Easter egg hunt may yield the secret stash of eggs.

With a little patience and care, you will soon be enjoying fresh, delicious eggs from your own backyard chickens. Remember that the ladies will naturally slow down and often times stop laying all together in the late fall and winter because of the cold and lack of daylight hours. Some folks use supplemental lighting to make the ladies lay again. While this does work, it does not give the hens their natural winter break and in the long run it will shorten the life of the hens.

Here are some additional tips to help your chickens start laying eggs sooner:

• Keep them in a warm, dry environment.
• Feed them a high-quality layer feed.
• Make sure they have access to fresh water at all times.
• Provide them with a clean, comfortable nesting box. Think cozy, safe vibes for the ladies to be able to relax.
• Handle them gently and provide a calm safe feeling environment for them. Avoid needless chasing them around or causing them environmental stress.

There is nothing better than discovering a first laid egg from one of your girls, it truly feels like Christmas morning!

Do you enjoy looking at colorful egg baskets and ever wonder which breeds laid which eggs? We are going to lay it all out here for you in this article!

French Black Copper Marans (or sometimes called marans chickens) lay dark chocolate colored eggs.

• French Black Copper Marans a rare breed that is gaining popularity, too achieve the desired true dark chocolate eggs it is important to purchase from a smaller breeder who is paying attention to the genetics. Large scale hatchery marans chickens will disappoint on the egg color.
• Marans chickens have a beautiful dark black plumage with a beetle sheen over top.
• They are known for laying large, dark chocolate eggs.
• They are a docile and friendly breed.
• Gender: they are sold straight run

If you are looking for a laid back and beautiful chicken breed, the French Black Copper Marans is a great option. They are sure to add a touch of elegance to your backyard flock.

Heritage Welsummer lay lighter brown eggs with dark speckles over the top 

• Appearance: Welsummer chickens have a beautiful plumage that is a mix of brown, red, and black. The hens are typically a darker color than the roosters.
• Eggs: Welsummer chickens are known for laying large, dark brown eggs. The eggs are so dark that they are sometimes mistaken for being black.
• Temperament: Welsummer chickens are a docile and friendly breed. They are easy to handle and make great pets.
• Gender: They are sold straight run

If you are looking for an intelligent and beautiful chicken breed, the Welsummer is a great option. They are sure to add a touch of friendliness to your backyard flock.

German Bielefelder lay large beige with speckles to tan eggs.

• History: German Bielefelder chickens were first developed in Germany in the 1970s by crossing several different breeds, including the Lakenfelder, the Rhode Island Red, and the Wyandotte.
• Size: German Bielefelder chickens are a medium-sized breed, with hens weighing between 5 and 6 pounds and roosters weighing between 6 and 7 pounds.
• Lifespan: German Bielefelder chickens can live for 10-12 years.
• Temperament: German Bielefelder chickens are known for being docile and friendly. They are easy to handle and make great pets.
• Appearance: German Bielefelder chickens have a striking appearance, with a mix of black, brown, and white feathers. The hens are typically a lighter color than the roosters.
• Gender: German Bielefelder can be sexed upon hatch, we offer them as both guaranteed females and guaranteed females

Double Silver Laced Barnevelder lay smaller sized pinkish to tan eggs sometimes with speckles

The Double Silver Laced Barnevelder is a unique breed of chicken that is known for its incredibly beautiful plumage. The hens have a rich, dark black body,  with a double silver lace pattern on their feathers. The roosters are a darker color, with a black body and a silver feathers throughout. Both hens and roosters have striking yellow legs. Our line of them are smaller than the average large fowl, not quite bantams and not quite a standard sized bird.

Double Silver Laced Barnevelders are also known for being good layers. They typically lay 4-5 eggs per week. Given the right conditions they can lay year round.

Double Silver Laced Barnevelders are a docile and friendly breed. They are easy to handle and make great pets.

• History: Double Silver Laced Barnevelders were first developed in the Netherlands in the 1800s. They were created by crossing several different breeds, including the Java, the Sumatra, and the Cochin.
• Gender: they are offered straight run

Isbar (some folks have renamed them Silverudd Blues) lay light green eggs sometimes with speckles over the top

Isbar chickens are a unique breed of chicken that is known for laying green eggs. They were developed in Sweden in the 1950s by a Catholic monk named Martin Silverudd. Isbar chickens are a cross between the Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire, and Cream Legbar breeds.

Isbar chickens are a medium-sized smaller framed bird, with hens weighing between 5 and 6 pounds and roosters weighing between 6 and 7 pounds. They have a wild streak in them and are predator wise while still being curious and friendly.

Isbar chickens are good layers, producing about 200 eggs per year.

• Plumage: Isbar chickens come in the feather colors blue, black, splash.
• Gender: offered straight run.

Bantam Cochin lay small cream to pinkish tinted eggs

• Friendly and docile: Bantam Cochins are known for being very friendly and docile chickens. The small size of them   makes for great pets for children.
• Easy to care for: Bantam Cochins are relatively easy to care for. They do not require a lot of space and can be kept in a smaller sized area. If space is a hardship for you this could be a good backyard breed.
• Beautiful: Bantam Cochins are very beautiful chickens. They have a variety of colors and patterns, our 2023 line of cochins and beyond will have a 50/50 chance of being smooth or frizzle feathered which makes them extra cute and comical.
• Good layers: Bantam Cochins are good layers. They typically lay about 200 eggs per year, their eggs are not the largest but they are plentiful.
• Fun to watch: Bantam Cochins are fun to watch. They are very active and love to play. They are also very curious and love to explore their surroundings.   
• Gender: Offered straight run

Moss Eggers lay a whole host of interesting dark greens.

• Eggs: Moss Eggers are known for laying a variety of colored eggs, including green, light green, and olive, dark green, dark green with a white bloom over top that sometimes can make them look silver and occasionally a bark brown.
• Temperament: Moss Eggers are a large docile, social, and friendly breed. They are easily trained to handle and make great pets.
• Gender: offered straight run

Olive Eggers first generation cross lay a reliably olive colored green egg.

• Plumage: our olive eggers come in blue and black feather colors
• Gender: offered straight run.

Sage Eggers lay lighter sage colored eggs with speckles over the top

• History: Sage Eggers were first developed in the United States at Alchemist Farm in 2014.
• Size: Sage Eggers are a medium-sized breed, with hens weighing between 5 and 6 pounds and roosters weighing between 6 and 7 pounds.
• Personality: smart, curious, excellent foragers with high predator awareness.
• Egg Production: They are remarkably prolific at 230+ eggs a year
• Gender: offered straight run.

Azure Eggers lay light blue to blueish greenish eggs

• History: Azure Eggers were first developed in the United States at Alchemist Farm in 2016.
• Size: Azure Eggers are a medium-sized breed, with hens weighing between 5 and 6 pounds and roosters weighing between 6 and 7 pounds.
• Personality: smart, curious, excellent foragers with high predator awareness and climate resilience
• Egg Production: They are remarkably prolific at 230+ eggs a year
• Gender: offered as guaranteed female or male.

Alchemist Blue Chickens lay blueish greenish eggs, sometimes with interesting blue speckles.

• History: Alchemist Blue Chickens were first developed in the United States at Alchemist Farm in 2019.
• Size: Azure Eggers are a medium-sized breed, with hens weighing between 5 and 6 pounds and roosters weighing between 6 and 7 pounds.
• Feathering: These svelt elegant birds come in blue and black feather colors
• Personality: smart, curious, excellent foragers with high predator awareness and climate resilience.
• Egg Production: They are remarkably prolific and dutiful layers at 230+ eggs a year. If given the correct circumstances they can lay year round.
• Gender: offered as guaranteed female or male.