Coop inside or outside run?

GSDBESTK9

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We plan on building a big run, something like 12 x 24 feet, but we are debating whether to put the coop inside or outside of the run. If we put it outside (and for those of you who have access to the coop from outside of the run), do the chickens not try to run out when you open the door????
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How big is the coop?

I wanted to be able to do daily care for the birds without having to step in. My coop is not big and the flock is about 9. I can feed, water, collect eggs and scoop overnight dropping from outside and my coop is outside of and attached to the run.
 
I built my coop so that it is part of the run. The coop is joined into the run fencing at the front. In this way, I can approach three sides of the coop to clean, feed the chickens, collect eggs, tend to the water without entering the run. The underside of the coop is fenced as well. The chickens can get under the coop from the run for shade.

When the chickens are in the run, I can close the pop door and work with the coop open without the chickens getting loose.

Hope this helps.

Chris
 
The shed/coop will most likely be about 5x5 feet. I would like it outside attached to the run, but my husband thinks the Chickens could try and get out when we try to enter the shed/coop.
 
Hi GSD

He is correct, however my three six week olds are already looking to make a run break every time I open that door, so you just have to be careful no matter where the doors are!

If you want to maximize run area, then yes, put the coop outside...maybe at some later point you can add a "mud room" with a second door onto the coop if escapes get out of hand...

;)
 
My chickens free range so they are waiting at their door to get out and I've got a divider wall in my coop for my up and coming polish and silkies and they have a fence which is attached to the coop. I like being able to access the coop without have to go into the run.
 
GSD, hope your coop construction is underway.

The birds will try to get out, but there are ways to control them. My pop door has a guillotine door that can be closed with a rope from the front door of the coop, after luring them to the run with treats. I usually do not need it because if you stand in front of the open door, they will keep away. If some get too anxious, feel free to shove them, they wont break.
 
Put the coop outside. You can attach the run to the coop with nails. Chickens don't get out. If they try, just throw some food to them. Here is a picture of mine (it's pretty small, but good size for me!)
 
ChickenPerson makes some good suggestions. Attach the coop to the run.

I don't like to go into the coop or the run unless I have to...If I need to make a repairs etc.

Collecting eggs, turning on & off lights, opening the pop-out hole...I'll try to do this as much as possible from outside the coop. But its also a small coop.
 
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My coop is partially inside, partially outside the run. Their popdoor goes, obviously directly into the run, the people door exits outside. Usually when I have to open the people door to clean they are already in the run and I close the popdoor until I'm done. Or if I just am in there for 5 minutes to scoop the poop from the board, I leave the popdoor open and I'm careful if there is a chicken in there with me that she cannot get out. I've never had a chicken escape from that door.

We had two that escaped through the run door, but were so overwhelmed and confused when they were actually outside that it was easy to pick them up and put them back. They have not tried to escape since. This weekend I have built another door and fence to keep them away from where we collect the eggs, and where the people door is, so this won't happen again. It became a bit of a hazard when it rains to walk on slippery mud with 14 chickens pecking at your pants legs and calves and balance 12 eggs in the process. So we decided to ban them from that area. So we have the door into the run next to the left wall of the coop, where the egg doors are and then another fence with a second door to the main part of the run.
 
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