Raising chickens can be fun, rewarding, and even profitable. This guide is for you if you want to buy or build a small chicken coop for your backyard or a bigger one on your property so you can start selling eggs.
We’re going to start by going over all of the key features of any chicken coop. From there, we’ll talk about the kinds of chickens you can raise and how that affects chicken coop sizing. We will give you a table with a calculator to help you pick the right size chicken coop for your space and your chickens.
Once we’ve gone through all those details, we’ll give you a different calculator table to help you determine the average egg production you might see each year. We’ll finish up with more insights into some of the most popular sizes of chicken coops and a little FAQ section at the end for any remaining questions you might have.
This is the guide to sizing chicken coops for backyard enthusiasts, so without further ado, let’s get cracking!
To begin raising chickens in your backyard is an exciting adventure! With just four hens, you’ll get fresh eggs every day, natural pest control, fun animal companionship, and the satisfaction of growing your own food at home.
But before you bring your feathered friends home, you need to make sure they have a safe and comfortable chicken coop that can fit 4 birds. This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know to build the best chicken coop for 4 chickens, such as:
- Recommended minimum coop size and space requirements
- Extra factors to consider for 4 chickens
- Coop construction and design elements
- Chicken run size and placement
- Tips for adding roosts, nesting boxes and other accessories
- Examples of pre-made coops and DIY plans for 4 hens
Follow along as we break down how to build a properly-sized chicken coop for a small backyard flock of 4 layers. Let’s get started!
Minimum Coop Size for 4 Chickens
When it comes to coop size, the general rule of thumb is to allow at least 3-5 square feet of interior floor space per regular-sized chicken. For a flock of 4 hens, this means your coop should have a minimum floor space of 12-20 square feet. However, more space is always better to allow your chickens to spread out.
Here are the recommended minimum coop dimensions for 4 full-sized chickens
- 12 square feet (2 x 6 feet) – Absolute bare minimum
- 16 square feet (4 x 4 feet) – Meets basic requirements
- 20 square feet (5 x 4 feet) – More spacious and ideal
For 4 small bantam chickens, you can get away with slightly less space since they are smaller birds. Plan for at least 2 square feet per bantam But again, don’t skimp on size – go as big as you can
Factors to Consider for a Coop for 4 Hens
Aside from the basic square footage rules, here are some other things to think about when choosing the right size coop for 4 chickens:
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Breed size – Some chicken breeds are larger than others. Make sure to accommodate for your chosen breed’s size. Larger breeds need more living space.
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Full-time access: If your chickens will be staying in their coop all the time, they need at least 4 to 10 square feet of space each.
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Climate – Chickens in hot or cold climates need more room to spread out and stay comfortable.
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Limited free-ranging – More space allows for fewer coop-bound problems if your chickens have minimal outside access.
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Predator protection – A spacious interior makes confined time safer.
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Ease of cleaning – More room = less mess and easier cleaning and maintenance.
Taking these elements into account as you plan will ensure your 4 hens have sufficient room to stay happy and healthy in their coop.
Chicken Coop Design and Layout
Once you’ve settled on the right size, the fun part is designing your chicken coop! Here are some tips on layout and critical elements:
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Easy access – The coop should have convenient doors for you to reach food, water and nest boxes easily.
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Ventilation – Good airflow prevents ammonia buildup and moisture. Include windows, vents and a draft-free design.
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Protection from elements – Insulate and seal drafts to keep the coop interior dry and free from wind.
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Roosting bar setup – Install permanent roosts suited for 4 chickens to sleep on at night.
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Nest box space – Plan for 1 box per 3-4 hens, so 1-2 boxes for 4 chickens.
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Cleaning considerations – Add a droppings board or pull-out tray for easy coop cleaning.
Choosing quality, durable and weather-resistant construction materials like wood, hardware cloth and metal roofing will also give your coop longevity.
Chicken Run Size
In addition to their coop, your 4 chickens will need an attached outdoor run for exercise, foraging and fresh air. The recommended run size is:
- Minimum of 10 square feet per chicken
- So ideally 40+ square feet for 4 hens
Make sure to construct the run with sturdy wire fencing anchored into the ground to keep predators out. And if space allows, feel free to build an even more generous run!
Coop Accessories and Add-Ons
To make your coop fully functional and livable for 4 hens, equip it with these essential elements:
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Perches – Provide at least 10-12″ perch space per chicken. Choose wood poles or a build a roosting bar setup.
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Feeders and waterers– Plan space for 1-2 hanging feeders and 3-4 quart waterers to prevent competition.
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Nest boxes– For 4 hens, include 2 12″ x 12″ nest boxes with nesting material like straw.
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Litter/bedding – Spread 2-4 inches of pine shavings or litter on the coop floor to absorb moisture.
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Grit – Supply insoluble granite grit in a tray for digestion and calcium.
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Dust bathing box (optional) – Fill a box with dust, ash or sand for chickens to bathe in to clean feathers.
Pre-Made Coop Options for 4 Chickens
If you want to skip the headache of building your own chicken coop, there are many great pre-fabricated options made just for small flocks of 3-5 chickens.
Some top-rated commercial coops for 4 hens include:
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Pets Imperial A-Frame Chicken Coop – 49” x 23” x 46” (18 sq ft)
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Pawhut Deluxe Wooden Chicken Coop – 77” x 25” x 45” (16 sq ft)
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Tangkula Small Chicken Coop – 49” x 23” x 40” (9 sq ft)
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Best Choice Wooden Chicken Coop – 61” x 37” x 45” (18 sq ft)
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Merax Wooden Chicken Coop – 79” x 27” x 47″ (18 sq ft)
Be sure to verify the interior floor space meets the 12-20 square foot recommendation before purchasing any pre-made coop for 4 chickens.
DIY Coop Plans for 4 Chickens
If you’re handy and want to DIY your chicken coop, there are many free building plans tailored just for housing 3-5 chickens:
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The Little Coop – 4 hen box design with nesting box and perch ($15 plan)
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Basic A-Frame Coop – Simple wooden A-frame for 3-4 chickens (free plans)
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PVC Chicken Tractor – Mobile PVC coop & run for 3-5 birds (free plans)
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Lean-to Coop and Run – Simple slanted roof coop and enclosed run for 4-5 chickens (free plans)
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Mini Coop – Basic enclosed coop for up to 5 bantams ($5 plan)
Just remember to adapt any DIY coop dimensions to meet the minimum space needs of your 4 chickens.
Key Takeaways on Chicken Coop Size for 4 Hens
To wrap up, follow this checklist when planning your coop build for 4 backyard chickens:
✅ Allow at least 3-5 square feet of coop floor space per regular-sized chicken (so 12-20 sq ft for 4 hens)
✅ Build a chicken run with 10 sq ft of space per chicken, or 40+ sq ft total
✅ Add necessary amenities like nest boxes, roosts, feeders and waterers
✅ Ensure good ventilation, protection from weather and ease of cleaning
✅ Pick a pre-made coop or DIY plan sized appropriately for 4 birds
✅ Bigger is always better when it comes to coop dimensions!
Key Features for Chicken Coops
Four key features should be considered before purchasing any chicken coop: The roost, the nesting boxes, the run, and the ventilation.
Chickens roost in the air; doing so helps them avoid predators while protecting them from bacteria and disease. Your chicken coop should have roosts installed high above the ground and above any nesting boxes. There needs to be room for all the chickens, and the roosts need to be strong enough to hold their weight.
Nesting boxes serve a dual purpose—they offer your chickens a comfortable place to lay their eggs and give you easy access to the eggs once they’ve been laid. They should be kept as dark as possible and installed well below the roosts. As a rule of thumb, you’ll need one nesting box for every 4-5 chickens.
There should be a fence around the chicken run so that your chickens can freely roam the area outside the coop. As a rule of thumb, you need ten square feet of run space per chicken. You’ll also need good fencing. The fencing should be buried at least 6 inches below the ground to stop predators from digging holes. Strong mesh fences are best because they impede both large and small predators.
Ventilation for chickens is complex; they have delicate respiratory systems and can lose insulation if the wind ruffles their feathers. As such, it’s best to install ventilation near the roof, while eliminating drafts below the roof. There’s an informative (and hilarious) guide to chicken coop ventilation that we highly recommend you check out for a detailed breakdown.
Chicken Coop Size for 4 Chickens
A coop sized for four medium chickens would need to be 12-16 square feet, with room to roost, and a 40-48 square foot run. This is a relatively small chicken coop size, making it the perfect option if it’s your first chicken coop and your first time raising backyard chickens.
How many chickens fit in a coop? The real answer!
FAQ
What size coop do I need for 4 chickens?
Chicken Coop Size for 4 Chickens A coop sized for four medium chickens would need to be 12-16 square feet, with room to roost, and a 40-48 square foot run.
How many chickens will a 4×8 coop hold?
A 4×8 chicken coop can comfortably fit between 8 and 16 chickens, but it depends on the breed of chicken and whether the chickens are free to roam. For smaller breeds or when free-ranging is an option, a higher number of chickens can be accommodated.
How many nesting boxes are needed for 4 chickens?
A good rule of thumb is a ratio of one nesting box for every four chickens.
How many eggs will 4 chickens lay?
Four chickens will typically lay between 15 and 30 eggs per week, or around 800 to 1200 eggs per year, depending on the breed and individual laying habits.