Save on Large and Extra Large Chicken Coops! (2024)

How do I determine what size chicken coop I need?

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There are many factors to consider when deciding between a small or large hen house including the chicken breeds you have and if you're able to free-range your chickens. For example, Australorps, Cochins, and Rhode Islands take up more space than Silkies. Keep in mind that chickens share nesting boxes and you should provide a nest box for every three to four hens. Chickens also don't mind standing side by side on roosting bars.

There are no cut and dry square foot requirements as it depends on your setup and the breeds that you have, but error on the side of some extra space. Even if you have only a few chickens to start out, a chicken coop for 10+ chickens is a great place to start and will provide enough square feet for larger flocks.

The poultry industry is raising laying hens and broilers in extreme forms of confinement with artificial lightning. Show your chickens some love and give them the space they need.


Should I consider a run extension?

Are your chickens crowded or displaying aggressive behavior? A coop that’s too small may make the hens crabby and will make them peck each other. This is where a chicken run extension can be a great addition to your chicken coop plan.

A large chicken coop with a run extension provides a safe area for your flock to forage, scratch, explore, take a quick dust bath, or simply get more fresh air. It's an especially good idea if your area has lots of predators and free-ranging is not a safe option.

A cramped chicken is a grumpy chicken and grumpy chickens may have bad behaviors and lay less eggs. Give your flock room to spread out and you'll find that they will be healthier and happier.


How often should I clean a large or extra large chicken coop?

For an amazing coop, perform easy cleaning tasks daily in the hen house, with deeper cleans weekly, and major upkeep every 3-6 months.

  • Daily Tasks: It's a great idea to remove leftover food and provide fresh food and water every day. You may want to spot clean droppings from perches and nesting areas. If you use a waterer like ours you will not need to do this daily as the horizontal nipples keep the water supply from being contaminated.
  • Weekly Tasks:You'll want to clean your chicken house when you begin to see dirt, dust, cobwebs, dirty chicken coop bedding, dirty nesting material, or a build-up of chicken feces. This is a great time to check for pests or mold and remove them. Rake and turn over the coop floor bedding and make sure to replace dirty nesting material.
  • Deep Cleaning: Every 3 to 6 months your chicken coop needs a good deep cleaning. This is where you'll empty the coop entirely, scrub the walls and floors, disinfect, replace all bedding, and inspect for any necessary repairs. An unclean coop can foster Salmonella so it's best to keep it clean.


How can I predator-proof a large chicken coop?

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One of the biggest mistakes we see people make is trying to raise chickens without providing them adequate protection from predators. Predators come from the ground, the sky, and even underground. Having a large or extra large predator-proof chicken coop is a must for raising chickens, no matter the size or type of your flock.

Where you put your chicken coop is one of the first decisions you should make to help keep your flock safe. Establishing your coop near your house or your outbuildings is a best practice. Predators are afraid of humans so if they hear or see people around they are less likely to try and approach the coop.

One of the most common strategies of predators is to dig under your coop or run. This is where a predator protection kit (coming soon) will stop them in their tracks. The kit provides custom-fitted hardware cloth which is much stronger than chicken wire. The hardware cloth is attached to the coop with custom-made brackets screwed into the frame. The brackets have tabs that attach to the hardware cloth securing it in place. The middle and outer edges of the hardware cloth are secured with U stakes. You can place dirt on top of the hardware cloth and when predators try and dig underneath they run into an impenetrable layer and won't be able to dig under and get your chickens.


Chicken Coop For 6 Chickens

If you're looking for a big Chicken coop for 6 chickens the Orpington Lodge is a great fit. If you think you might expand your flock the Rhode Island Homestead is a great choice


Chicken Coop For 4 Chickens

If you're in need of a small coop, a great option is our chicken coop for 4 chickens -- the Leghorn Cottage. It's the perfect chicken coop for those who have a small flock of backyard chickens.

To enhance your chicken coop, think about adding our chicken coop heater for reliable warmth in the chilly winter season, a chicken waterer for consistent water supply, and our predator-proof chicken coop kit to strengthen protection for your chickens.

Save on Large and Extra Large Chicken Coops! (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to buy or build a chicken coop? ›

Overall, a DIY chicken coop will be cheaper than a pre-built option. However, there are numerous tools and supplies that you will need to purchase if you do not already own them. There are multiple options for those wanting to build a chicken coop themselves.

How many chickens can fit in a 12 by 12 coop? ›

The 12×12 coop is designed to hold up to 100 birds.

What is the rule of thumb for chicken coop size? ›

An easy way to determine what size coop best fits your flock is to do simple calculations. If you plan on your chickens to have a large run, they will need 2.5 to 4 square feet per chicken inside the coop. If you will have a smaller run, the coop will need to be larger at 5 to 10 square feet per chicken.

Is a 4x4 coop big enough for 8 chickens? ›

Our 4' x 4' Quaker Coop Specs at a Glance: Estimated space for 8 to 10 chickens. Total Height: 80" Ground to Base Height: 14"

How many chickens can you have in a 4x8 coop? ›

8 large standard chickens would be ok for space in a coop with your floor space of 4 x 8 feet. The general rule, which takes into consideration that your birds may spend days or even weeks in that coop when the weather keeps them in. 1 adult large standard chicken per 4 square feet.

What is the disadvantage of chicken coop? ›

Odor and manure management

Odor occurs when poultry manure accumulates. A small number of birds won't produce much manure. Routine cleaning of the coop will prevent odor issues from arising. Owners can use removed bedding and manure as a fertilizer in the fresh or composted form.

How much should I spend on a chicken coop? ›

A basic starter chicken coop with full shelter and nesting beds to raise egg-laying hens starts at around $250 but if you'll be raising a full flock of 8-10 chickens, a larger basic coop averages around $500. Add a feeder and waterer for an additional $50.

Is 3 nesting boxes enough for 12 chickens? ›

If, for example, you have six or eight hens, furnish at least two nests; three is better. For 10 to 12 hens, provide at least three.

How many chickens can fit in a 10x10 run? ›

A chicken needs about 4 square-feet per bird inside the coop. That means a 10x10 coop would comfortably hold 25 birds. Remember, they also need about 10-12 inches per bird to roost on at night.

How many chickens do I need to get a dozen eggs a week? ›

Planning for Egg Production Per Week

If you wanted to get about a dozen eggs per week, you would need between 3 to 5 laying hens. For two dozen eggs a week, you would need to double those numbers for a flock size of between 6 to 10 laying hens.

Can a coop be too big? ›

Especially if you live in a climate with cold winters, if your birds have too much space they will have trouble generating enough heat in winter. Think about it for yourself—it is much easier to snuggle up to a friend and warm up in a little tent than it would be with the same friend in a big, empty warehouse.

How far down do you dig for a chicken coop? ›

Buried Hardware Cloth

In this case, you can dig a trench around the base of your coop, and bury hardware cloth vertically at least 12” down. Most predators will try digging down right at the base of your chicken coop and get discouraged by the buried hardware cloth.

How many chickens will a 6x8 coop hold? ›

Estimated space for 12 to 15 chickens. Gas prop on nesting lids. Pine board and batten or LP siding. Total Height: 101"

How tall is too tall for a chicken coop? ›

The Maximum Height of a Chicken Coop

Realistically, though, anything over 274 cm (9 feet) is probably excessive for a backyard flock, and most chicken coops are about 183-244 cm (6-8 feet) tall. Building your coops too high can have a number of disadvantages: The coop will be harder to clean and maintain.

How big should a chicken coop be for 20 people? ›

CHICKEN COOP SIZE CALCULATOR TABLE | INTERIOR SPACE
Number of Chickens420
Small Chickens8 s.f.40 s.f.
Medium Chickens12 s.f.60 s.f.
Large Chickens16 s.f.80 s.f.

What size coop and run for 12 chickens? ›

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!

How big of a coop do I need for 6 8 chickens? ›

Generally, you would want to have 4 square feet for each chicken if they will be free-range. If the flock is kept in an enclosed chicken coop, you would need 10 square feet of space per chicken. This means that if your eight chickens are free-range, they would need a coop that is 32 square feet.

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