How Many Chickens Can Fit in a Coop That Holds 10 Hens?

If you’re raising chickens, one of the most important things you need to figure out is how big of a coop you need. A common scenario is having a coop that holds 10 hens – but how many total chickens can fit inside? Here’s a breakdown of how to calculate the maximum capacity.

Calculating Coop Capacity

The number of chickens a coop can hold depends on a few key factors:

• Coop square footage
• Chicken breed and size
• Number of nesting boxes
• Chicken stocking density

To determine the total capacity you’ll need to consider each of these elements.

Square Footage

A good rule of thumb is to allow at least 4 square feet of coop floor space per standard sized chicken Bantam breeds only need 2-3 square feet

So for a coop that houses 10 hens, you’ll want at least 40 square feet of floor space. More is better to decrease crowding.

Breed Size

The breed of chicken makes a big difference. Smaller bantam breeds take up less room than standard sized chickens.

If your coop houses large chicken breeds like Jersey Giants or Brahmas, you’ll need more space per bird compared to housing tiny Silkies or Dutch bantams.

Nesting Boxes

It’s recommended to have 1 nesting box for every 3-4 hens.

So in a 10 hen coop, plan for 2-3 enclosed nesting boxes. Make sure they aren’t occupying floor space needed for roosting and moving around.

Stocking Density

As a general rule, allow 7-10 chickens per 10 square feet of coop space. A higher density risks overcrowding.

So for a 40 square foot coop, ideally house 28-40 birds max. Consider the breed size, number of nesting boxes, roost space and your ventilation setup too.

Calculating Chick Capacity

Now that you know how many hens will fit, how do chicks factor in? Here are some tips:

• Chicks take up less space than adult chickens
• Allow 1 square foot per 2-3 chicks
• Provide a separate brooder for the youngest chicks
• Add more roosts as chicks grow
• Expand the coop before they start laying

Brooder Space

Baby chicks need a heat lamp and small enclosed brooder for the first 4-6 weeks. Allow 1 square foot per 2-3 chicks in the brooder.

So 20 chicks need about 7-10 square feet of brooder space before joining the flock. Remove the brooder when they feather out.

Coop Space for Growing Chicks

As chicks grow, they’ll need more space. Here are some stocking density guidelines as they age:

• 0-6 weeks: 1 square foot per 2-3 chicks
• 6-12 weeks: 1 square foot per chick
• 12-18 weeks: 2 square feet per chick
• 18+ weeks: 4 square feet per chick (like adult hens)

If your 40 square foot coop holds 10 adult hens, it could hold:

• 60-80 chicks (0-6 weeks)
• 40 chicks (6-12 weeks)
• 20 chicks (12-18 weeks)
• 10 chicks (18+ weeks)

But keep in mind, hens and chicks together require more space than either group alone. Reduce capacity further if housing both.

Expanding the Coop

As the chicks near adulthood, expand the coop before they start laying at 18-24 weeks.

Calculate the minimum space needed for each chicken (4 square feet) and size up accordingly. Make sure to add more roosts and nest boxes too.

Crowding can cause behavior issues and health problems, so give them adequate room to thrive.

Real World Example

Let’s say you have a 40 square foot coop housing 10 large breed hens like Rhode Island Reds. According to the 4 foot per hen rule, it’s at max capacity for those 10 adults.

If 2 adult hens are removed, that frees up 8 square feet of usable space. Since chicks only need 1 square foot each, you could add 8 more 6-12 week old chicks (8 square feet needed).

However, once those chicks reach adulthood you’ll quickly run into overcrowding issues. Expand the coop before the new pullets start laying.

For 10 new mature hens, you’d need to expand to at least 80 square feet (10 x 4 square feet per adult). Make sure to add more nest boxes and roosting space too.

The exact number that will comfortably fit will depend on their breed, weight, temperament and your coop layout. But this gives a rough estimate to work from.

The same principles apply whether you’re starting with 10 hens or 20 – calculate the usable space, allot adequate square footage per chicken based on age, and size up accordingly.

Key Takeaways

Figuring out chicken coop capacity takes some planning, but following these guidelines will help:

• Allow 4 square feet per adult chicken or 1 square foot per 2-3 chicks
• Factor in breed size – bantams need less space
• Add nest boxes – 1 per 3-4 hens
• Max density 7-10 chickens per 10 square feet
• Use a brooder for chicks under 6 weeks
• Expand the coop before pullets start laying
• Prevent overcrowding for health and behavior

With a little math and preparation, you can comfortably house both hens and chicks in your small backyard coop! Just be ready to size up as they grow. Happy flock planning!