Coop Design need some input

[colonel sander]

Ok have it all pretty much mapped out and almost all lumber is in the garage (pulling it out and staining after I post this) My coop is going to be a 5x12 run with the coop elevated 2 feet off the ground and about 5x5. Question is what way do I face the pop door for the chickens? I can either run it out the north side or the south side? This would also make my nesting box either face the north or south. As for winds I do get a little but nothing that would be to major as the coop is going in between 2 big trees. I was just asking as if I put the coop on the south side it would shade the run for part of the day. We do get some sun but as for high temps in the 90s only a few weeks if that out of the year.

Last question how many windows on average do you put in? Is it just for looks or do the chickens really like the light coming in? Does morning light help them?

Thanks!

 

[True Grit]

I faced my pop door opposite the window and I wanted the window facing south for maximum warming in the winter. In the summer it is shaded by the leaves on the trees. I put heavy plastic strips over the pop door to keep the wind out. Only occasionally did I have to keep them in the coop in the winter when it was super cold out.

 

[elmo]

First of all, I would caution you about building raised coop with those dimensions (5' by 5'). Standing on the outside, you may not be able to reach in fully to that depth, which means you'll either have to use a rake or something to reach all the way to the back of the coop or climb inside. I have a 4' deep coop, and I can just barely reach the back if I stand on tip toe and lean in. It's something for you to consider, anyway. Why not build it 4" x 8", with doors opening up all one long side? That way, you can use stock sizes of lumber/plywood, without much waste.

If you get weeks of weather in the 90's, I actually would be concerned about doing things to try to keep the inside of the coop cooler during those weeks. Chickens don't manage heat very well (they can't take off their down jackets, after all). If you can site the coop where it will get natural shade in the summer, that's what I'd do.

It's helpful to have some natural light in the coop both for you and to make the chickens comfortable about going inside (they sometimes won't go inside a place that's completely dark). But ventilation is actually a lot more of a significant issue than just putting in windows for light. I have four operable windows in my coop that I use for summer ventilation, plus two vents, one of which is high enough so that it can be left open during the winter without risk of allowing drafts blowing on the birds.

Here's the best discussion I know of about ventilation:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

I don't think it matters much in your situation which side has the pop door, etc.. Put them where it's most convenient construction wise. Once you open the pop door, the chickens will pop right out in the morning, so it doesn't make that much difference if there's morning light in the coop or not (unless you've got a roo in there and you want to try to hush him up early in the morning). Hens will usually only go back into the coop during the day to lay.

 

[colonel sander]

Elmo,

Good point on the 5x5 but I can make it so I have doors on both sides if I am worried about reaching in. Only reason I chose 5x12 and now think it is going to 5x10 as after mapping it out again this mornig the trees are in the way. I have pruned them and can keep them pruned as I do not want to cut them down. My hens as I only have 3 are going to be in the coop and run most of the day. I leave at 5am and do not want to open it up at that time. My wife gets home about 10 am and can let them free range in the yard for a while. I am just trying to keep them happy and have room.

Thanks for the info and keep it coming as I am like sponge on this stuff. Well back out to the yard.

 

[colonel sander]

Ok I stared and stared at the building site most of the day while staining wood. Problem I have is that there will not be much room around the sides of the coop. How do most of you pick a spot for your coop? I live on a hill so I only have a few flat spots in my yard. Plus I am in a neighborhood and only have a certain amount of space. I do not want them on my back porch. Anyway I have broken it down to this I take out a tree and build the coop I want or I leave the tree and deal with a smaller run and maybe even a smaller coop. Please give me your thoughts.

Also the tree is a evergreen that is growing into a old maple. The maple kills the evergreen and it has branchs only on one side. So if tree comes down it is not a big loss as I call it the charlie brown tree anyway. Once again any input is apreciated.