Planner comfort capacity—hens
Extension-reference ceiling—hens
Current limiting space——
Important: the Extension-reference number is not presented as our recommendation. The flock planner uses larger comfort targets, and actual housing adequacy also depends on layout, ventilation, litter management, weather, free-range access, bird size, and local rules.
What assumptions does the calculator use?
The published reference minimums in the current database come from Penn State Extension's small-scale poultry housing guidance. The Chicken Flock Planner then applies its own larger indoor and run targets so the recommendation engine is not routinely filling housing right up to a published minimum.
Why indoor coop and run space are separate
A large outdoor run does not create more indoor floor area during severe weather or overnight confinement. The calculator therefore limits flock size by whichever space is more restrictive.
What if I am planning a new coop?
The full flock planner can work in reverse: tell it how many eggs you want and what kinds of birds appeal to you, and it estimates the indoor and run area required by the recommended breed mix.