Coop placement in small backyard

[bercawhomestead]

We are getting chicks for the first time in a couple weeks! We just purchased and built our coop and are wondering the best place in our small backyard for the coop to sit. Our yard is fenced in and on one side we have a small garden, a LARGE tree that branches fall off almost daily. On the other side we have a big(ger) open space that we can see from the kitchen windows. Wondering if it's safe to put the coop under the tree when branches are constantly falling off, or if we should err on the side of caution and put it away from the tree where we can see it from the kitchen windows. Also, does it matter which direction the coop faces?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

First, look at drainage. If you put the coop where water stands or drains to it you are almost certain to have issues with mud, smell, and maybe even with disease. If you put the coop and run where water drains away from it so you can keep it pretty dry life will be easier and more pleasant.

I don't know where you are located so I don't know your climate. If you modify your profile so that information shows up it will always be available. Location is often important information for a lot of different reasons. If you have hot summers there can be a benefit to having the coop/run in the shade. On the other hand, if leaves can collect on top of the run (assuming it is covered) they can get quite heavy, especially if you get a big snow/ice load. Then how big are the limbs that fall and how robustly is your coop/run built. It's hard to say if being under that tree would be good or bad.

It sounds like you may live in suburbia with a small back yard. Have you checked if you have local restrictions on where you can place a coop or if chickens are even allowed? It's not unusual to have certain minimum distances from fence lines or buildings. With your screen name hopefully that is not an issue.

Good luck and welcome to the adventure.

 

[Kris5902]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

First, look at drainage. If you put the coop where water stands or drains to it you are almost certain to have issues with mud, smell, and maybe even with disease. If you put the coop and run where water drains away from it so you can keep it pretty dry life will be easier and more pleasant.

I don't know where you are located so I don't know your climate. If you modify your profile so that information shows up it will always be available. Location is often important information for a lot of different reasons. If you have hot summers there can be a benefit to having the coop/run in the shade. On the other hand, if leaves can collect on top of the run (assuming it is covered) they can get quite heavy, especially if you get a big snow/ice load. Then how big are the limbs that fall and how robustly is your coop/run built. It's hard to say if being under that tree would be good or bad.

It sounds like you may live in suburbia with a small back yard. Have you checked if you have local restrictions on where you can place a coop or if chickens are even allowed? It's not unusual to have certain minimum distances from fence lines or buildings. With your screen name hopefully that is not an issue.

Good luck and welcome to the adventure.

X2^^^ if you do need the shade for the coop in summer you might want to have an aborist (professional tree service) come evaluate and prune the tree for you. Large trees can be a challenge to do if you done have a lot of experience with them or the proper tools.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ideally you wouldn't put the coop and run under a tree that's dropping branches, BUT... I have my run under a tree that drops branches (they're very light branches (weeping willow) so it's not an issue).

As far as direction, it does matter mostly in considering where your winds come from and where the sun paths over the coop. For example, you don't want all the open vents facing your main wind direction.

 

[bercawhomestead]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

First, look at drainage. If you put the coop where water stands or drains to it you are almost certain to have issues with mud, smell, and maybe even with disease. If you put the coop and run where water drains away from it so you can keep it pretty dry life will be easier and more pleasant.

I don't know where you are located so I don't know your climate. If you modify your profile so that information shows up it will always be available. Location is often important information for a lot of different reasons. If you have hot summers there can be a benefit to having the coop/run in the shade. On the other hand, if leaves can collect on top of the run (assuming it is covered) they can get quite heavy, especially if you get a big snow/ice load. Then how big are the limbs that fall and how robustly is your coop/run built. It's hard to say if being under that tree would be good or bad.

It sounds like you may live in suburbia with a small back yard. Have you checked if you have local restrictions on where you can place a coop or if chickens are even allowed? It's not unusual to have certain minimum distances from fence lines or buildings. With your screen name hopefully that is not an issue.

Good luck and welcome to the adventure.

Thank you! We are in Upstate NY, located in a small village (sort of like suburbia) so our backyard is very small. Thankfully we do not have any restrictions on chickens (no roosters for noise though). I am trying to make the most use out of the backyard, giving the chickens enough space, but also working around the garden area as well as leaving us humans some space to have friends over

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Hi and welcome to BYC! My coop is a converted shed that came with the house when I bought it. It is right under 2 trees. The roof is sturdy enough to withstand the small branches that come down with every rain storm and the run is covered in corrugated aluminum roofing, so it's good. I like the being able to easily see the coop from inside the house, so my vote would be placing it where you can see and account for the prevailing wind patterns. Good luck with your flock.

 

[aart]

Some pics of the coop and your yard might help.
Think about winter access when the snow starts piling up.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Some pics of the coop and your yard might help.
Think about winter access when the snow starts piling up.

X2