Choosing a site

[substandardtim]

First I'm facing an issue of choosing between taking up some space in our yard with the chickens or claiming some space in a "neutral zone" away from the farmer who rents the farm land...but that's not really my question.

I live in central PA, and I'm not sure if I should position the coop to get some shade from trees and not be so hot in the summer, or get maximum sun so as to not be so cold in the winter.

Any advice?

 

[moduckman]

Place it near shade. In the winter the birds can go into the coop and out of the cold and wind. In the summer the coop is hot and they want shade from the sun.

 

[patandchickens]

I'm not sure shade is so important where you are as in many other parts of the country. (I'm originally from Philly, so I do have some idea

) But it is absolutely true that it'd be good to have some afternoon shade for the run in summer.

Is it possible to locate it where it will get pm summer shade, like in july and august (hint: sun will be at the same angle as in april and may, if that helps you estimate), but will always get morning sun and be mostly or entirely sunny in the colder months? Sun is very valuable not just in making birds warmer and happier but in keeping the run DRY which will radically reduce mud, smell and flies. Personally, in Central PA, if I had to choose between all shade and all sun, I would unhesitatingly go for all sun. (You can always rig up shadecloth in August, or plant a bush

)

Have fun,

Pat