Converting Garden into Chicken Space

[StephanieRose44]

hello ... I have 12 chickens the oldest is almost 18 weeks and the rest are not too far behind so I finally got my second coop outside and ready to go. It has 4 nesting boxes and plenty of room for my layers. When the weather get nicer and the snow is finally melted away, I have a 15’x 15’ garden that I want to use for my chickens. My plan was to split the garden in half place the coop at back left side of the garden. It get me great sunlight I was wondering what is the best direction to face your coop? I also have another group who I am keeping in the old coop for now but eventually would like to cover the top of the current fencing around the garden and make that whole half a covered run. Just bit too sure how to go about it? I would love to hear from anyone who has experience with this siruation. I’m not sure if I should go higher than the last pre- exsisting fence ( and how to go about that I have no clue?) should I cover the coop too?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Southern facing with ventilation on the east and west.

 

[StephanieRose44]

And as far as chickens and gardens/gardening? I’d love to learn more about it!

 

[aart]

Hard to say which is the best way to orient your coop.
Many variables to consider.
First in your area, IMO, would be winter access, for when the snow is deep and you've got to go out there everyday. Solar gain and prevailing winds are another consideration.
Solar gain is great in winter but might be a real problem in summer,
hard to have it both ways unless you have huge deciduous trees for summer shade.

There's a gardening forum here too:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/gardening.16176/