Coop and Run Orientation

[Aunt Tat]

I've been obsessing over this for weeks now!
We're purchasing our neighbor's Over EZ large large coop.
I've been fretting over the orientation of the coop so I can see the pop door, weather possibilities, size of run, and roofing.
I'd appreciate any suggestions, insights or opinions (the flock will be small *chicken math notwithstanding* Okay. MAYBE 6 standard size laying hens...no swimming geese or partridges in pear trees...but I HAVE seen a mourning dove hanging around.
The shed will have a lean-to style roof, but not sure about the pitch. I don't want it TOO high because sometimes we get heavy windstorms, but pitched enough so the rain runs off the roof (which will be metal) - Not too worried about snow loads
The highest point of the roof will be facing North which of course means the lowest point will be facing south. Would you say our prevailing winds run E-W? I know SOMETIMES we get big blows from the S-SW.
So any suggestions will be much appreciated.
Thankewverymuch!

 

[deidreg]

I think the orientation in your image is good. I assume prevailing wind is west to east, which feeds air through your ventilation. Not sure how hot it gets, but a metal roof will heat up the coop. Is there shade in the run?

 

[Aunt Tat]

I think the orientation in your image is good. I assume prevailing wind is west to east, which feeds air through your ventilation. Not sure how hot it gets, but a metal roof will heat up the coop. Is there shade in the run?

I'm in Hillsboro, OR. We have occasional "hot flashes" with some humidity (those days I just die) Lots of shade in the afternoon starting about 2pm.

I think the majority of our wind comes from the west. We DO get east winds, but nothing like the east side of Portland...ICY!

I also want to put 1-2 sheets of Suntuff on the shed to let more light in. Hopefully, they'll hold up.

 

[neo71665]

Metal roofs only heat up if there is improper ventilation. Most everybody down south where it gets well into the triple digits use metal roofs with zero issues.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think the majority of our wind comes from the west. We DO get east winds, but nothing like the east side of Portland...ICY!

Only you know the prevailing wind direction at your location... so if you've noticed they tend to come from west, then that's what I would use as far as orienting vents and such. So given your illustration, I would aim the vents N-S instead, or NE-SE since you mentioned bigger S/SW winds sometimes.

That said, if the illustration shows the most convenient orientation for YOU, no reason you can't stick with that, and maybe considering awnings or some top hinged covers for vents and door openings that point W/SW-ish.

 

[Aunt Tat]

Although we plan on getting a Pullet Shut door, and we're going to wrap run in hardware cloth (I'm talking over the rafters before the metal panels go on, apron and attached with screws & washers...) I'm hoping that given the few really hot/warm nights we DO have, the hens can choose to roost outside for the night and to do so safely.
There are windows that open on the side facing north, and I'd have no problem adding some holes under the eave on the side facing south.

There's also a radiant barrier sheathing on the ceiling of the coop which helps deflect heat in the summer and aid in the winter for warmth (I think!) LOL

 

[3KillerBs]

I'd say that the key things are to turn the back to any likely storm winds and arrange the rest for your greatest convenience.

 

[Aunt Tat]

I'd say that the key things are to turn the back to any likely storm winds and arrange the rest for your greatest convenience.

Who knows WHERE the next one will come from. Ever hear of the Columbus Day Storm of 1962??? We've had a few other doozies since then too, but thankfully we don't have FULL seasons of them. Now that I think of it, MOST of them are due to Typhoons in the Pacific.

I want the roofline to slope down on the east side so I can see my sister's tree, one of those long, tall, skinny evergreens.

I'm probably overthinking all of this and trying to anticipate every tiny "what if?" scenario.

 

[aart]

I'm probably overthinking all of this and trying to anticipate every tiny "what if?" scenario.

Yes.
Drainage is most important, IMO.