Coop placement in yard

[Dominic-is]

I'm debating putting my chicken coop alongside some pine trees. Any disadvantages? On the plus side, there's 2 apple trees there, but will the pine needles make the soil too acidy for the birds?

 

[Judy]

The pine needles will be fine for them. They will need shade and breeze in summer, even in the north.

 

[Dominic-is]

Thanks! I was concerned. We have plenty of breeze! It's always breezy up here! The run will be a triangle, with a shade on top, so if the hens want some sun, they can get it, but if not, they can be shaded.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

The pine needles will be fine for them. They will need shade and breeze in summer, even in the north.

x2

You may need netting on top of your run to keep owls and hawks out - around here death descends from the forest line in the form of aerial predators who sit in the trees and swoop down.

Pine straw can be used for bedding too but I have not tried it...just read about others doing it.
Reg. straw can harbor mites...don't know about pine straw. It is fine in the yard, though!

 

[Dominic-is]

I'm planning to have chicken wire on top to keep the birds out. This should be interesting, considering I have foxes, Hawks, and coyotes in the yard on any given day...

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I'm planning to have chicken wire on top to keep the birds out. This should be interesting, considering I have foxes, Hawks, and coyotes in the yard on any given day...

Oooh coyotes and foxes you may need electric fencing if they are bad. If your run is small enough (considering the expense here) an apron can deter diggers. (Google hardware cloth apron if desired.)

We have coyotes here but so far so good...only one episode of digging under the fence.