Enter your flock size and climate zone below to get your minimum coop size, run size, and a predator-proofing checklist tailored to your situation — free, no signup required. This is the same math we use to check every coop’s stated capacity in our reviews.
| ℹ️ How the calculator works The calculator applies the same standards used throughout our reviews: 4 sq ft of interior coop space per standard-size bird, 8-10 sq ft of run space per bird, one nesting box per 3-4 hens, and 8 inches of roost length per bird. Climate zone adjusts the ventilation-ratio recommendation in your results. |
Chicken coop size & climate fit calculator
Enter your flock size and climate zone to get your minimum coop size, run size, and a predator-proofing checklist.
- 1/2-inch hardware cloth, 19-gauge or heavier, on every opening
- Double-locking or two-motion latch on all doors
- Buried or apron skirt extending 12+ inches outward
Enter Your Flock Size
[Interactive input: number of hens, 1-50] — if you haven’t settled on a flock size yet, see our How Many Chickens Should You Keep? guide first.
Enter Your Climate Zone
[Interactive input: USDA Hardiness Zone selector, 1-13, or “I don’t know my zone” lookup by ZIP code] — this determines your recommended ventilation ratio and insulation guidance.
Your Recommended Spec Sheet
Based on your inputs, the calculator returns a personalized spec sheet. For example, a flock of 6 hens in USDA Zone 6 would return:
| Spec | Your Result |
|---|---|
| Minimum interior coop space | 24 sq ft |
| Minimum run space | 48-60 sq ft |
| Nesting boxes needed | 2 |
| Minimum roost length | 48 inches |
| Recommended ventilation ratio | 15-20% of wall area (temperate zone) |
| Predator-proofing checklist | 1/2-in hardware cloth (19-gauge+), double-locking latch, buried or apron skirt |
Matching Coops for Your Spec
After generating your spec sheet, the calculator links directly to the best-of guides and specific reviewed coops that match your flock size and climate zone — for example, Best Chicken Coops for Small Flocks, Best Chicken Coops for Large Flocks, Best Chicken Coops for Cold Climates, or Best Predator-Proof Chicken Coops, depending on your inputs.