Quick answer
A 4 x 6 foot coop has 24 square feet of floor, enough for about 8 standard hens that spend the day in a run, or 3 if they are shut inside all day.
- Bantams: about 12. Large breeds: about 6.
- 8 standard hens also need about 64 sq ft of run and 3 nest boxes.
- Ignore the number on the box. Many kits claim far more.
How many chickens can you keep in a 4 x 6 coop? It depends on the breed and on how much time they spend outside. Use the calculator for your exact coop, or read the numbers below.
How many chickens fit in a 4 x 6 coop
| Breed size | Hens with a run | Run they need | Hens kept inside all day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bantam | 12 | 48 sq ft (6 x 8 ft) | 4 |
| Standard | 8 | 64 sq ft (8 x 8 ft) | 3 |
| Large | 6 | 60 sq ft (8 x 8 ft) | 2 |
Count only floor the hens can use. A feeder or waterer on the floor takes space; nest boxes hung on the wall and droppings boards under the roost do not. If the coop is raised, the ground under it can count as part of the run.
Laying out a 4 x 6 coop
Here is a starting layout for 8 standard hens with a 8 x 8 ft run attached. Change the sizes to match your coop.
Before you buy or build
Shopping for a kit? Run the listing through the prefab coop capacity checker. Then check your city: many cap hen numbers or coop size and set how far the coop must sit from the lot line or a neighbor's house. Look up your city on Coop Ready and test the spot with the free coop planner.
Other coop sizes: 3 x 4, 4 x 8, 8 x 8. Sizing by flock instead? See coop sizes for 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 chickens.
Frequently asked questions
How many chickens can fit in a 4 x 6 coop?
About 8 standard hens that spend the day in a run, 12 bantams or 6 large breed hens. If they stay inside all day, about 3 standard hens.
How big a run does a 4 x 6 coop need?
For 8 standard hens, about 64 square feet of run, such as 8 x 8 ft.
How many nest boxes for a 4 x 6 coop?
3 nest boxes for 8 hens, at about 12 inches square.
Why does the box say it holds more chickens?
Coop makers often count how many birds can squeeze onto the roost, not the space hens need. University extension guides recommend about 3 square feet of coop and 8 of run per standard hen.
How we sized this: coop and run space per bird follows Oregon State and Penn State Extension (2, 3 and 4 sq ft of coop and 4, 8 and 10 sq ft of run for bantam, standard and large birds; 6, 8 and 10 sq ft of coop with no run), the same figures as our coop size calculator. Nest boxes follow Penn State: 2 for the first 4 hens, then 1 per 4. Feed is figured at about a quarter pound per hen per day.
