Coop placement

[Beaker99]

I nearly broke my foot moving the tractor coop so we're building one. But where to put it?

I live in a small town, in a nice area (for a small town). No run, as we let them roam the backyard. Neighbors on all sides.
I have marked the two areas I had in mind. We have zero trees. But there are a couple of small birch trees on the other side of the fence that provide shade around 4 pm. Not opposed to a shade cloth. Thoughts?

 

[21hens-incharge]

I vote location 2 due to your location and that it would give some winter sun there...which means a tad warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

 

[Shadrach]

There are lots of factors to consider.
Your climate and the ground topology are good starting points. If you get a lot of rain or seasonal downpours then on the highest ground so the water drains away would seem sensible.
If it's hot then having the front of the coop towards the prevailing wind isn't a problem. If you get below freezing with hail and strong winds then you want the coop the other way around.
If you have climbing predators then you don't want the coop near a high solid fence. The predators may jump from fence to coop.
Are you building another tractor coop?
Having a simple secure moveable coop gives a lot more flexibility than a fixed site coop.
Given you range the chickens on your land a portable elevated coop with the space underneath meshed with a gate may prove to be very handy.

 

[Beaker99]

We're going to a permanent structure. If a hoop coop wasn't so ugly, or I lived out of town, I would do that. I am concerned about heat more than cold and we have wicked storms and the occasional tornado. I figured big windows facing south. Also, was a like worried about so close to my house. But some of you swear it won't stink.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Also, was a like worried about so close to my house. But some of you swear it won't stink.

That depends on poop build up, your litter choice/volume, how wet/dry the run stays, etc. I have people stand right by my run and not notice there's occupants until they turn around and there's a chicken or five - they always assume there'd be a barnyard-y smell, and there isn't.

 

[KyCoop]

I personally would go with 2. Any shade you can provide they will be thankful for. With that being said you will have to stay on top of your matinance to keep the flies and smell to a minimum.
I too are in twister country with bad storms and one piece of advice I will give is concrete you post in the ground for your coop.

 

[3KillerBs]

#1, Legality. Check your local laws in re: setbacks, distance from occupied structures, etc.

#2, Drainage. Don't put it anywhere that water pools during rainstorms or where water runs through it. Not only are dry chickens healthy chickens, but dampness fosters odor.

#3, Shade if available. If it's not available you'll need to supply it.

#4, Your convenience. The easier it is to tend your chickens the better.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

P.S. Take good care of your foot injury. I can speak from experience that things which don't seem so bad when they happen can turn into a lingering problem.

 

[Beaker99]

Luckily there are almost no restrictions. So I can do what I like (within reason). I should have mentioned I don't know what direction to face the windows? Severe storms come from SW, generally.

 

[Ridgerunner]

#1, Legality. Check your local laws in re: setbacks, distance from occupied structures, etc.

#2, Drainage. Don't put it anywhere that water pools during rainstorms or where water runs through it. Not only are dry chickens healthy chickens, but dampness fosters odor.

#3, Shade if available. If it's not available you'll need to supply it.

#4, Your convenience. The easier it is to tend your chickens the better.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

P.S. Take good care of your foot injury. I can speak from experience that things which don't seem so bad when they happen can turn into a lingering problem.

Good post.

My main criteria is drainage. Some of that may depend in your soil type, sand drains better than clay. If water drains away from the area you should be OK. If water drains to the area and especially stands it will almost certainly stink at some point and can be unhealthy, let alone a wet muddy mess to work in.

I don't care how much people tell you that it won't stink, they are not the one that has to live with it if it does, you are. Some stink, some don't. Keeping it dry is your best defense against it stinking, that's not just drainage but drainage is a huge part. It involves keeping water out and getting moisture out if it does get in. It involves poop management, you don't want poop to build up. I'll include this link, the best time to fix a problem is before you have one.

How To Fix A Muddy Run Chicken Coop | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens

Why do you consider the south side the best place to put your window? When I was in Northwest Arkansas I had one regular window on my 8' x 12' coop. It was on the north side. I'm mainly interested in why you think the south side is a must.

To me drainage is the one issue that can be really hard to fix. Anything else can be managed. If drainage is equal, my next criteria in location is convenience to you. Where are you going to store feed and where will you get water? In Missouri you will have weather that the chickens can pretty much be outside every day of the year, very few exceptions. You will see some freezing weather and maybe some snow so think about the water issue. You will probably be going out there at least twice a day, sometimes in the dark to feed, water, and collect eggs, probably lock them up at night and let them out in the morning. Will you be wading through running water if it is raining. Do you plan to run electricity out there? If they are loud, would the noise bother you?

Anything beyond this is going to be contingent on how many chickens you will have, how you plan to manage them, what your coop looks like, and so forth.

 

[3KillerBs]

Luckily there are almost no restrictions. So I can do what I like (within reason). I should have mentioned I don't know what direction to face the windows? Severe storms come from SW, generally.

You'll probably want as much flexibility as possible -- multiple windows, but all top-hinged to act as their own awnings so you can have as much ventilation as you need in the hottest weather and still be able to keep the storms out.