Best window placement in a coop?

[sunflour]

the door (with large window and pop door) on the east side would be better?

I misread your post.

Any or all could be on the east side - with additional window elsewhere.
East side incoming light will be in mornings and wake them up.
Nests in an area that either doesn't get direct sunlight or plan on some curtains.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sunflour makes some good points. You need to tailor the coop to your specific location instead of rigidly believing that one specific thing works for everyone on the planet.

Some people like a bright sunny coop, I don't. I feel that a darker coop is more calming. We all have different opinions. My one window is on the north side. My coop has openings all around the top for ventilation which also let in a lot of light. It's light enough the chickens can see to get around fine and put themselves to bed but it is not bright. In South Carolina heat will be your enemy, not cold. You'll need good ventilation. To me, good ventilation should be a top priority.

Each of us have their own microclimates and special conditions. My hottest sides are south and west. Due to the dead end valley I'm in my worst winds are generally from the south, though west winds can be pretty strong during storms. I made my coop by converting the north end of a shed which means the south side of the coop is always shaded. My micro-conditions are going to be different to yours.

To me the most important thing in locating a coop is drainage. If you put it where water flows to and especially stands you have problems. You need to put it where water drains away from it, other wise you will probably have an unhealthy and stinky set-up. A wet coop and run are bad.

You don't want your nests to become an oven. The east or north side of your coop will probably be the best location for the nests.

It's not as important for the roosts if you have good ventilation, the coop should cool off pretty quickly as the sun sets, but the west side will be hottest longest. Don't obsess about it but try to avoid roosts on the west side.

Hot air rises, but for that to work you need cooler air coming in. If you have ventilation up high the hot air can escape, but that process will be enhanced by having an opening down low for cooler air to come in. Probably the coolest air will be on your north side that is always in the shade. If you have another building or fence that always provides shade on another wall that will work too. You can close it in winter if it lets in too much of a breeze, but in summer an opening down low on a shady side can really help your ventilation.

My only other thought on coop placement and layout is to make it convenient for you. Don't slope the roof so you are soaked when it is raining and you want to collect eggs. Give yourself access so you can do what you need to do, inside the coop and around it. For most of this stuff the chickens won't care, but you can make it harder or easier on yourself with the way you arrange it.

Good luck!

 

[Jrobinsonmtplus3]

 

[Jrobinsonmtplus3]

This is the door we will be using. It has a screen on the bottom half of the window.
This (i think) will be on the east side, with ventilation on the west under the roof. I think that ticks the box of high low ventilation?
Nests on north side to avoid scrambeled eggs✔
Drainage: it is in a higher spot in our yard. Never any real soggy ground issues.✔
Roost will most likely go on the south side with feeding and water in the back on the west side.