Best Coop Design for Rain

[rod5591]

I live in Tennessee, which gets about 60 inches of rain per year. Ive been here less than 2 months, and in that time it seems it is raining about 30% of the time at least. Are there coop designs for a wet environment? Any there other north central Tennessee chicken farmers who have any ideas about chicken coop designs to deal with the weather? I currently have 22 birds, maybe I will wind up raising them all. Actually I expected some chick mortality but so far all of them are doing well! Thank you!

 

[N F C]

I don't live in TN but here's a link to your state thread:
Tennesee

Someone there will surely be glad to help you out. Best of luck with your build!

 

[Percheron chick]

I lived in TN many years ago. It will stop raining and it will be so hot and muggy you will wish for rain.
Pay more attention to drainage than coop. Spend the time adding French drains, swales, down spouts... anything to move the water away. For a coop I would go large. Open on two or three sides (just walled to the prevailing wind) and extend the roofline 2-3' so they have a veranda (they are GRITS after all) . Will provide cool airflow in the the summer. Expect 2 days of snow.

 

[aart]

I lived in TN many years ago. It will stop raining and it will be so hot and muggy you will wish for rain.
Pay more attention to drainage than coop. Spend the time adding French drains, swales, down spouts... anything to move the water away. For a coop I would go large. Open on two or three sides (just walled to the prevailing wind) and extend the roofline 2-3' so they have a veranda (they are GRITS after all) . Will provide cool airflow in the the summer. Expect 2 days of snow.

Good wide roof overhangs all around, with open eaves, will serve you well for shade and protect the massive amount of ventilation you will want.

 

[mountain chicken]

I ran a roof off my shed, it covers both the coop and run , I utilized the side of the shed to build off of . I am using old sliding glass doors that I separated from the slider frame as skylights I'm still looking for a couple pairs of pistons that hold up the rear hatch on cars and trucks to help pivot them so they can open easy ,

 

[Howard E]

High is dry......and gravity will work in your favor if you let.

Meaning put your coop on the highest point you have where water drains away from it in all directions..... never towards it. Think of it like an upside down (inverted) bowl, vs one that is upright. One repels water......... the other collects it. You want to repel it.

And if at all possible, put a lid (roof) on the run. Will help with the water and later on, the heat of the sun.