Quick answer
Plan on about 8 square feet of run per standard hen. Six hens need about 48 square feet, such as a 6 by 8 foot run, and 28 feet of fence around it.
- Bantams: about 4 sq ft each. Large breeds: about 10 sq ft each.
- Use half-inch hardware cloth, not chicken wire, and add a 1 to 2 foot apron against diggers.
- A mesh roof keeps out hawks and climbing raccoons.
The run is where your hens spend their day, so it is worth getting the size right before you buy fencing. Start with the run size, then press the link under the result to price the fencing for that size.
How big should a chicken run be?
| Hens | Bantam run | Standard run | Large breed run | Common standard size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12 sq ft | 24 sq ft | 30 sq ft | 4 x 6 ft |
| 4 | 16 sq ft | 32 sq ft | 40 sq ft | 4 x 8 ft |
| 6 | 24 sq ft | 48 sq ft | 60 sq ft | 6 x 8 ft |
| 8 | 32 sq ft | 64 sq ft | 80 sq ft | 8 x 8 ft |
| 10 | 40 sq ft | 80 sq ft | 100 sq ft | 8 x 10 ft |
| 12 | 48 sq ft | 96 sq ft | 120 sq ft | 8 x 12 ft |
| 20 | 80 sq ft | 160 sq ft | 200 sq ft | 12 x 16 ft |
Bigger is better if you have room. Hens with more ground scratch the run bare more slowly, fight less and stay cleaner. If your hens never free range, lean toward the large breed column even for standard birds.
Hardware cloth or chicken wire?
Chicken wire is cheap and keeps chickens in, but raccoons can tear it and reach through the holes. Half-inch welded hardware cloth costs more and stops raccoons, rats, weasels and most snakes. Many keepers use hardware cloth on the lower walls and the apron, where predators work, and lighter wire higher up.
- Apron: lay a 12 to 24 inch skirt of hardware cloth flat on the ground around the outside, or bury it, so diggers hit wire.
- Roof: a mesh top stops hawks and climbing raccoons. A solid roof over part of the run gives shade and a dry spot.
- Fasteners: screws with washers every few inches hold far better than staples alone.
- Height: 6 feet lets you walk in to clean. A short run under a raised coop works for small flocks.
Will your run fit your city’s rules?
Some cities measure their distance rule from the run or pen, not just the coop. Look up your city on Coop Ready, read our guide to coop setback rules, then drop your coop and run onto a satellite map of your yard in the free coop planner. It shows the part of the yard that clears every rule.
Frequently asked questions
How big should a run be for 6 chickens?
About 48 square feet for standard hens, such as 6 by 8 feet. Bantams need about 24 square feet and large breeds about 60.
How many rolls of hardware cloth do I need for a run?
It depends on the run size, wall height, roof and apron. A 6 by 8 foot run with 6 foot walls, a mesh roof and a 2 foot apron uses about 110 feet of 36 inch hardware cloth, or three 50 foot rolls.
Do chickens need a covered run?
A mesh roof is the best protection from hawks and climbing raccoons. Many keepers also put a solid cover over part of the run for shade and a dry corner.
Can free range chickens have a smaller run?
Plan for the full size anyway. Hens stay in the run on rainy days, when you are away and when predators are around.
How this works: run space per bird follows Penn State Extension (4, 8 and 10 sq ft for bantam, standard and large birds). The fencing calculator adds 10% for overlaps and assumes a rectangular run.
