Coop/Run location help—too close to house?

[Ricognyze]

Hello,

I’m new here and new to the whole chicken experience, but very excited to get started!

I am in the design phase and my question is concerning coop and run location. Is it ill advised to put them right next to my home? I plan to repurpose an unused dog run that is right next to my house, but will I be inviting a potential mouse/rat infestation of my home?

I plan to make the run and coop as predator proof as possible with all the hardware cloth apron, along the bottom 4ft… etc. but I feel like mice will somehow find a way in anyway.

So does everyone feel moving farther away from the home is a better plan? Both the location/space and utilizing the existing chain link dog run make that location most ideal, but don’t want to invite a problem.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.

How many chickens do you plan to get?

Rodent infestation is highly variable. Some people take every possible precaution and still can't get rid of the vermin. Others take no particular precautions but never have a problem. IMO, a well-kept chicken coop is unlikely to draw pests into your house and there is a great deal to be said for the convenience of having them close by -- especially if you're subject to any form of severe weather.

That said, does this area have good drainage? Dry chickens are healthy chickens and a wet, muddy run will be a major headache.

Here's some general information to help you with your plans:

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

And some good shed conversion coops to help inspire you:

Shed Conversions

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-mulligan.74743/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-scoop-on-a-rubbermaid-big-max-coop.76444/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/toy-shed-conversion.64879/

 

[IvysAnimals]

Depending on the amount of chickens and if you want a rooster, i think the cage might be too small.( Unless it's just for sleeping and they can roam in the daytime ) It might track more pests into your house by being so close, however, there might be more protection if there's no predator proofing by being up against a solid wall. You're going to want to predator proof it so nothing can or will be able to harm your flock! If you're getting chickens for sure, you'll need some perches for them and probably something to cover the top so they don't fly or get out.. Hope that helps just a bit!


READ ME, TOO!
READ ME!

 

[Iluveggers]

How many chickens are you getting? Is the coop going inside the run or will it be attached on the outside of the run through a small door (my recommendation)?

 

[Ricognyze]

We are in Minnesota and only getting 4 chickens. I don’t think drainage is going to be a problem. Thanks for that other info @3KillerBs !

 

[Ricognyze]

How many chickens are you getting? Is the coop going inside the run or will it be attached on the outside of the run through a small door (my recommendation)?

Yes, outside the run. 4 chickens.

 

[Ricognyze]

Depending on the amount of chickens and if you want a rooster, i think the cage might be too small.( Unless it's just for sleeping and they can roam in the daytime ) It might track more pests into your house by being so close, however, there might be more protection if there's no predator proofing. If you're getting chickens for sure, you'll need some perches for them and probably something to cover the top so they don't fly or get out.. Hope that helps just a bit!


READ ME, TOO!
READ ME!

The run is 9’ x 15’ and only 4 chickens. So I think it seems adequate.

 

[IvysAnimals]

The run is 9’ x 15’ and only 4 chickens. So I think it seems adequate.

That should be fine for only 4 chickens! If you think you'll want more in the future, then you might have to make it a little larger... Make sure you have no fewer than 3 chickens if at any point something happens

 

[3KillerBs]

We are in Minnesota and only getting 4 chickens. I don’t think drainage is going to be a problem. Thanks for that other info @3KillerBs !

Good. I mentioned it just to be sure because the land looks flat in the photo.

I'm going to link you both the hot weather and cold weather articles because you're in an area that sees both extremes:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

Here's the math for a flock of 4 -- bearing in mind that these are generally considered minimums and that if you don't have a covered run for winter you will do best with an over-sized coop.

4 hens

• 16 square feet in the coop. 4'x4' is the only really practical build for this given the common dimensions of lumber.
• 4 feet of roost
• 40 square feet in the run. 4'x10' or 5'x8'. 6'x6' is a bit too small, 6'x8' is more generous and easier to build than 5'x8'.
• 4 square feet of ventilation. A 2'x2' window is theoretically enough, but in practice doesn't create any air FLOW so better to spread the venting around (and even better to exceed the minimums, especially in warm climates).
• 2 nest boxes, to give the hens a choice

The run is 9’ x 15’ and only 4 chickens. So I think it seems adequate.

That should be great in the summer. If you *can* cover all or part of it you will benefit both from the access in the winter and the shade in the summer.

 

[Ricognyze]

Good. I mentioned it just to be sure because the land looks flat in the photo.

I'm going to link you both the hot weather and cold weather articles because you're in an area that sees both extremes:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

Here's the math for a flock of 4 -- bearing in mind that these are generally considered minimums and that if you don't have a covered run for winter you will do best with an over-sized coop.

4 hens

• 16 square feet in the coop. 4'x4' is the only really practical build for this given the common dimensions of lumber.
• 4 feet of roost
• 40 square feet in the run. 4'x10' or 5'x8'. 6'x6' is a bit too small, 6'x8' is more generous and easier to build than 5'x8'.
• 4 square feet of ventilation. A 2'x2' window is theoretically enough, but in practice doesn't create any air FLOW so better to spread the venting around (and even better to exceed the minimums, especially in warm climates).
• 2 nest boxes, to give the hens a choice

That should be great in the summer. If you *can* cover all or part of it you will benefit both from the access in the winter and the shade in the summer.

Thanks for the climate info. Minnesota can (notoriously) dip below zero but can also hit upper 90s and humid. So climate on both ends is a concern.

Yes, I plan to cover about a 6’ x 10’ section for shade and elements protection.