Can it work?

[lereg]

A little background first. We just bought a place on 2 lots, with a 12x24 shed on the property. We have been told that if we could move the shed back 5 ft, that we'd only have to pay one property tax instead of the 2 we are required to pay now. We are brand new to chickens, but I've been watching this site and picking up info for a while now.

Here's my dilemma. I was thinking that I could build my chicken coop on the back of my shed so that I could have the coop attached and it would extend to the other property. The problem is that the back of the shed is facing NE. My plans are to make the coop 12x8', and have 14 hens, but I've heard that the coop should be facing south. I live in a plateau, so the winds swirl quite often, so there's no set wind pattern here. Being in middle/east Tn, our winters aren' really too bad, but it does get down to single digits once in a while, with negatives this morning.

I guess what I'm asking is if there was away that I could make this coop work even though it won't get the winter Sun as much as it should? Thank you in advance for your replies!!

 

[Welshies]

It will work. Face any doors and windows as "away" from the North as possible though. Good luck!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

 

[lereg]

It will work. Face any doors and windows as "away" from the North as possible though. Good luck!

My plan is for the door to the run to be on the west side, plus a window, and then windows on the east side too. If I can pull it off, I'd like to have some windows on the north side too, but just for light and not necessarily functional.

 

[lereg]

Would soffit venting work, or should I leave it more open on the top?

 

[JMotuzick]

First winter with chickens here. The coop we inherited has a run to its north! Very little sun this time of the year. So far most of our girls are surviving. We lost a rooster and have a sick hen right now but don’t think it’s related. Looking to make better stronger run/runs for next year. To the west for sure that will allow a lot more sun. Maybe even a “winter” run to the south all closed in on the bottom and with a top over it. Only the first week of the new year and I’m ready for spring!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I live in the PNW on the coast where our wind also comes from many directions. However believe it our not our prevailing wind is from the south. So my opening face north. BUT that doesn't do anything for light inside the coop and so far north that can be an issue in the winter. To me what is important is that there is no draft. Which means air moving directly across the birds. Sorry I'm no ventilation expert so researching that will be good for you. As far is which way the coop faces, or what bedding you use, or many birds you keep... we ALL have to do what works for US. Otherwise it won't work. SO it's good to get pointers and adjust to YOUR circumstance. We all have different set ups, climates, goals, and though processes. YES you can make that coop work for you and HOLY COW what I would do with all that space! I actually do have 12x24 split into two 12x12 coops with their own covered runs and yard space. I have done as many as 82 birds at 1 time (including many chicks and edible boys)! Beware of chicken math.. It sometimes includes ducks, goats, meal worms, and other species! Smaller-ISH flocks are much more peaceful and easy to tend something when needed. Not 3-5 small those are harder than larger flocks. I also have 2 other satellite coop/yards and 1 tractor type coop.

I'm gonna say HOGWASH on paying 1 property tax for 2 lots UNLESS you heard it directly from the mouth of an official who knows what they are talking about or personally read it in the ordinance.

Now some people with larger properties are able to split them and sell off a portion which would then create two tax lots. Maybe the reverse is possible. But that would be something to take up with your local municipality and likely cost some permit or other type fees.

Most places there is 5 foot minimum offset from the property line (on all sides) for any building. If two properties belong to you it probably doesn't matter where you set it. So the possibility of being told to move it if you sold half in the future would be more likely in my experience than moving it will benefit your bottom line.

Welcome to chickeneering and congrats on your new place!

Hope to get an update to the reality of shed/tax dilemma.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My plan is for the door to the run to be on the west side, plus a window, and then windows on the east side too. If I can pull it off, I'd like to have some windows on the north side too, but just for light and not necessarily functional.

You might have to plan for curtains or something to that effect in summer if you get hot there.

One trick I like to used is deciduous plants. They shade in the summer but let the light and warmth shine through in winter.

I do agree that a north facing run would be difficult. Even though my opening is north on the one, they still have access all around.

 

[lereg]

Hi, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I live in the PNW on the coast where our wind also comes from many directions. However believe it our not our prevailing wind is from the south. So my opening face north. BUT that doesn't do anything for light inside the coop and so far north that can be an issue in the winter. To me what is important is that there is no draft. Which means air moving directly across the birds. Sorry I'm no ventilation expert so researching that will be good for you. As far is which way the coop faces, or what bedding you use, or many birds you keep... we ALL have to do what works for US. Otherwise it won't work. SO it's good to get pointers and adjust to YOUR circumstance. We all have different set ups, climates, goals, and though processes. YES you can make that coop work for you and HOLY COW what I would do with all that space! I actually do have 12x24 split into two 12x12 coops with their own covered runs and yard space. I have done as many as 82 birds at 1 time (including many chicks and edible boys)! Beware of chicken math.. It sometimes includes ducks, goats, meal worms, and other species! Smaller-ISH flocks are much more peaceful and easy to tend something when needed. Not 3-5 small those are harder than larger flocks. I also have 2 other satellite coop/yards and 1 tractor type coop.

I'm gonna say HOGWASH on paying 1 property tax for 2 lots UNLESS you heard it directly from the mouth of an official who knows what they are talking about or personally read it in the ordinance.

Now some people with larger properties are able to split them and sell off a portion which would then create two tax lots. Maybe the reverse is possible. But that would be something to take up with your local municipality and likely cost some permit or other type fees.

Most places there is 5 foot minimum offset from the property line (on all sides) for any building. If two properties belong to you it probably doesn't matter where you set it. So the possibility of being told to move it if you sold half in the future would be more likely in my experience than moving it will benefit your bottom line.

Welcome to chickeneering and congrats on your new place!

Hope to get an update to the reality of shed/tax dilemma.

This is what the people that we bought the place told us. They were upset when they put the shed in because they found out after the fact.

 

[Welshies]

My plan is for the door to the run to be on the west side, plus a window, and then windows on the east side too. If I can pull it off, I'd like to have some windows on the north side too, but just for light and not necessarily functional.

I think 1 window on the west and 1 or 2 windows on the east is more than enough light. I initially had too much light in my coop so my girls wouldn't lay.