How Big Should a Coop Be for 50 Chickens?
Managing a flock of 50 layers or dual‑purpose birds is a rewarding but demanding endeavour. Adequate space keeps birds healthy, reduces stress and minimizes pecking and disease. This guide outlines the recommended coop and run dimensions for large flocks, along with essential design considerations.
Minimum Space Requirements
- Indoor space: Cooperative Extension experts recommend 3–4 sq ft of indoor floor space per laying henpoultry.extension.org. Cornell Cooperative Extension suggests a minimum 2.5–3.5 sq ft per birds3.amazonaws.com. For a flock of 50, this translates to 125–200 sq ft indoors.
- Outdoor run: Provide 10 sq ft per hen in the runpoultry.extension.org, though Cornell notes you can manage with 4–5 sq ft per bird if you maintain the run wells3.amazonaws.com. For 50 birds, aim for 500 sq ft of outdoor space to promote exercise and reduce boredom.
Nesting and Roosting
- Nest boxes: Supply one nest box for every 4–5 henss3.amazonaws.com—roughly 10–12 boxes for 50 chickens.
- Roosts: Provide about 10 inches of roosting space per birds3.amazonaws.com. For 50 birds, plan for around 500 inches (~12.5 m) of roosting length, ideally at varied heights.
Ventilation and Predator Protection
- Ventilation: Good airflow prevents moisture buildup and respiratory issues. Include adjustable vents, windows or high‑roof openings without causing drafts.
- Predator-proofing: Use heavy‑gauge hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. Bury fencing 12 inches underground to deter digging predators. Secure all doors with latches.
Design Tips for Large Coops
- Ease of cleaning: Incorporate large doors or removable wall panels to access bedding and manure.
- Feeders & waterers: Use multiple stations to prevent competition. Automatic waterers are helpful for large flocks.
- Lighting: Hens need 12–14 hours of light for optimal layingextension.umn.edu. Consider supplemental lights during short winter days.
- Sectioning: For very large coops, divide the interior into zones or pens. This makes it easier to isolate sick birds or rotate flocks for cleaning.
Conclusion
For 50 chickens, plan on 125–200 sq ft indoors and 500 sq ft outdoors, with plenty of nesting and roosting spacepoultry.extension.orgs3.amazonaws.com. Proper ventilation, predator‑proof materials and thoughtful design keep large flocks healthy and productive. If you’re looking for a robust coop sized for 50 birds, explore our heavy‑duty walk‑in models at Chicken Coop Shop.