There's a beautiful, chaotic logic to someone trying to build a coop on a budget while also admitting they're terrified of the very birds they're housing. That's exactly where we find u/oneone235813, staring at a pile of lumber and asking the eternal question: 4 feet or 8 feet tall? And honestly, we get it. You want to save a buck, you want to keep the girls safe, and you want to stop having nightmares about a rogue hen pecking your kneecaps clean off. The math might be cluck-tastic, but the anxiety is real.
Let's talk about that height dilemma, because it's the real feather in this cap. A 4-foot-tall coop sounds like a practical little hobbit hole, but here's the thing about chickens: they don't need to stand up straight, but you do. You'll be the one crawling in there every morning to refill water and scrape droppings, and after the third time you whack your head on a rafter, you're going to curse every penny you saved. An 8-foot-tall coop, though, that's a whole different ballgame. It gives you room to breathe, room to hang a feeder without bending over, and room for the birds to flap around without feeling like they're in a clown car. The cost difference is probably a few extra 2x4s and some siding, but the comfort gain is massive. We'd tell you to split the difference and go 6 feet if you can, but since you're asking, we'd lean toward the 8. Your back will thank us.
Now, about that run. You mentioned roofed run, feeders on the outside, nesting boxes out there too. That's a smart, sneaky move that shows you've been paying attention. Keeping the messy stuff out of the coop means less cleaning, and less cleaning means you're less likely to hate the hobby by week two. But here's the practical kicker: 8x16 feet for 12 birds is the bare minimum. That's about 10.6 square feet per bird in the run, which is decent, but only if the roofed portion gives them a break from the elements. The real question isn't whether they can fit; it's whether they'll be happy. Chickens are like roommates who never pay rent and constantly poop in the kitchen. If they're cramped, they'll peck each other, and then you'll have a murder mystery on your hands. So, size matters, but so does vertical space. A taller coop gives them a place to perch high, which makes them feel safe, and a safe chicken is a quiet chicken.
You're overthinking the wrong numbers. The square footage is fine, the roofed run is a great call, and the external feeders are a stroke of genius. But the height question is really about your own sanity. A 4-foot coop might save you $50 today, but it'll cost you a chiropractor visit by spring. Go 8 feet, even if it means scrounging for scrap wood or skipping one fancy feeder. Your future self, the one who isn't hunched over like a question mark, will be the one clucking with joy. And hey, if you're still scared, just remember: they're more afraid of you than you are of them. Probably. No guarantees, but that's what the 8-foot walls are for.