Confused about best coop location

[HennyPenny44]

Hello! I haven't raised chickens before and I'm researching a lot before my husband and I build our coop and run.

We live in suburban NJ so we have cold winters and hot summers with a good amount of rain in Spring and otherwise. The dilemma I'm having is choosing a good location for the coop and run. I originally chose an empty spot in the back of the backyard but it's northeast facing. It warms up last in Spring and gets the hot afternoon sun in summer. It has a fruiting dogwood tree to the left which the squirrels like to climb on. Not sure if putting it under a tree is a good idea. I attached a picture of the spot and you could see its corners marked off with cinder blocks. I was thinking of putting the run against the garden fencing to the left of the picture or to the right near our shed. This gives me a good view of everything from my kitchen and easy access when weather is bad. My concern is the direction it would be facing and that it's at the bottom of the slope running from our house so water tends to flow in that direction. I read that you should avoid wet spots for the health and cleanliness of the birds.

The only other option is to place the coop on the bricks to the right of the picture and put the run in front of it on the grass. The hemlock tree to the right of this area would block the hot summer afternoon sun and also some of the winter sun and winds. The drawback is that access to the rest of the backyard isn't as open. I don't want to have to get rid of my garden area to the left which is southeast facing and has my asparagus, veggies and herbs growing there.

My yard extends further out to the right where I'm growing fruit trees and berries but I won't be able to see my chickens over there that easily and it's a longer walk which is not good in my opinion. Not sure what to do. I want to start out with 4 chickens but I have a feeling I'll want more in the future so I plan to build bigger. Thanks in advance for your replies!

 

[kmom08]

I would definitely avoid areas where drainage would be an issue. We bought shade cloths from Harbor Freight to help in the summer months. They are thick almost like a trampoline net, but still allows air through.

 

[Alaskan]

. I was thinking of putting the run against the garden fencing to the left of the picture or to the right near our shed. This gives me a good view of everything from my kitchen and easy access when weather is bad. My concern is the direction it would be facing and that it's at the bottom of the slope running from our house so water tends to flow in that direction. I read that you should avoid wet spots for the health and cleanliness of the birds.

This sounds like the best spot to me.

You can see them easily, nice and close, and I like the fact that they are up against the garden. Having the company of the chickens while you garden will be a pleasure for you, and they will be thrilled to take care of all of the weeds that you toss them.

So... the drainage! I would mark out where you want the coop and predator proof run. Maybe this area can be built up above any potential floody muddy mess. A base of bricks filled with gravel/road base might work. You can build up a nice deep litter bedding on top of that gravel.

The secure coop and run area could be connected with a pop door to less secure and potentially muddy run to give them more space and ground options.

 

[Alaskan]

Oh... I think hemlocks are poisonous??? I don't have those... so can't remember.

 

[HennyPenny44]

I would definitely avoid areas where drainage would be an issue. We bought shade cloths from Harbor Freight to help in the summer months. They are thick almost like a trampoline net, but still allows air through.

Thank you. I will check out that shade cloth. Sounds like a great solution.

 

[HennyPenny44]

This sounds like the best spot to me.

You can see them easily, nice and close, and I like the fact that they are up against the garden. Having the company of the chickens while you garden will be a pleasure for you, and they will be thrilled to take care of all of the weeds that you toss them.

So... the drainage! I would mark out where you want the coop and predator proof run. Maybe this area can be built up above any potential floody muddy mess. A base of bricks filled with gravel/road base might work. You can build up a nice deep litter bedding on top of that gravel.

The secure coop and run area could be connected with a pop door to less secure and potentially muddy run to give them more space and ground options.

Thank you for your insight. You mean the chicken run can have bricks underneath? I thought chickens shouldn't have wire underneath the run because of their need to scratch and I would imagine bricks would get in the way of this need too. I'm not sure how deeply chickens scratch. Yes, I like the idea of them near my garden where I could just dump their manure for aging.

 

[Alaskan]

I was thinking a brick border to hold in gravel (the kind that packs well but also drains well... like what you would use on a gravel road) to build the entire run 6 inches up from the ground. And on top of that well draining base put a bunch of leaves, mulch type stuff etc. For the chickens to play in.

Like a raised bed.

 

[HennyPenny44]

I was thinking a brick border to hold in gravel (the kind that packs well but also drains well... like what you would use on a gravel road) to build the entire run 6 inches up from the ground. And on top of that well draining base put a bunch of leaves, mulch type stuff etc. For the chickens to play in.

Like a raised bed.

I understand. I have lots of gravel and leaves so that's a great option. Oh, and the hemlock is the tree and not the poisonous plant.

 

[elmo]

Avoid the wetter area at all costs. That's my best advice.

As a general rule, chickens can handle cold temperatures much better than heat. They wear down coats, after all.

If you can site your coop with summer shade, that's a plus.

 

[HennyPenny44]

Avoid the wetter area at all costs. That's my best advice.

As a general rule, chickens can handle cold temperatures much better than heat. They wear down coats, after all.

If you can site your coop with summer shade, that's a plus.

Note taken. That would mean that the area on my brick patio to the right of the photo would be better. The temperature swings aren't as extreme there due to afternoon shade. Fewer critters there also.