Coop in the woods?

[NJfarmer]

I don't know how much snow you get but if you do build a coop in the woods make sure you don't build it around dead trees. You may want to cut down dead branches too. I had to move my coop after a snow storm when a dead tree was about to fall on top of it.

 

[nightshade]

This will be the second year we have had our chickens and it is safe to say we live in the woods. lol. I have had little trouble with the coop being littlerly in the forest. The only things I have found negative are that it takes awhile to dry out sometimes. Like lately when it has rained for 4 days in a row. And we occasionaly have problems with large limbs and our run roof which is made of chicken wire. If the limbs are big enough they tend to break down the sides of the run fence. But for the most part I am really glade the coop and run are were they are and the 100lb coon dog that lives right next to the coop can't hurt for preditor proofing lol.

 

[ruth]

Hi Godiva - I would say location depends on your temps. Here in South Louisiana we have 100 degree temps with 100% humidity for most of year. Even our winters rarely have a soft-freeze day. I put my coop/pen at the edge of our woods and under several large oaks and pines. The spot was always an open area but the ground was covered in a thick layer of natural mulch of leaves and pine straw. It has been literally a life saver for the chickens because it stays much cooler under the trees and in the woods than it does in the open scorching sunshine. The natural woodland floor is great because they can scratch and dig all they want and they will never have a just dirt floor which would reflect heat and heat the place up. I can wet the ground down if by some chance it hasn't rained in a day or two but usually we have a thunder storm every day of summer but it dries out instantly as soon as the 100 degree sun comes out. We have our chairs out there to watch "chicken t.v." as well and you wouldn't believe the temperature difference. I, nor the chickens, could sit in our sunshine for more than 5 minutes but we can sit in the woods for hours and not feel overly hot. In winter I don't find that the woods are any colder than the rest of the property and I can always put in a heat lamp if we get a "cold" night or two.

I'm the different egg on this forum because my chickens free range in the woods all day long and put themselves to bed at night, my pen is completely open top, and my coop door is left open at night. We have every predator known to man, including a fox that lives on our property and so far (5 months) we've never lost a bird, to predators or illness. May help that my German Shepherd has guarded the chicks since they were babies in a box in our bathroom and he slept with them. He now stays outside with them and I do hear him barking several times a night. Could I lose one to a hawk or coon, yes, but they love free ranging and I love watching them be free and following me around the property and walking in the woods with them. If I don't open that pen gate each morning they squawk, and honk until I do.

 

[jab91864]

Enjoyed the pics greatly, but I have a question. What is the stone fixture in the center ??

~Julie

 

[greginshasta]

Quote:
Looks like a barbecue, just like you see in parks and campgrounds.

 

[jab91864]

My first guess was a BBQ but I couldn't be sure...lol

Just nosey I guess

~Julie