Coop proximity

[bseeds27]

Hello all,

New to chicks, but really enjoying it. I got our coop built, due to the issues with puddling in our backyard I built it on a trailer so it's up off the ground. Getting ready to set it permanently in a location so I can start on building their run next. I am curious though if there's a set distance that's like "rule of thumb" or not, but is there a recommended distance a coop should be from a residential home? We wanted to have it semi close to the house because we have a public trail that runs literally through our backyard and so as to not have to deal with unwanted visitors @ night coming off of the trail & disturbing our chicks, or going through the coop, we were talking about setting the coop semi close to the house so we could have a close watch on it.

Any input is appreciated!

 

[DobieLover]

distance a coop should be from a residential home?

Other than certain code laws, it's entirely up to you. Some people have gone as far as to build coops in their basement! I personally would never even consider such a thing but to each his own.
If you are concerned at all with human predators in your coop, I also strongly advise you lock it up with a lock and key or a padlock and key.

 

[bseeds27]

Other than certain code laws, it's entirely up to you. Some people have gone as far as to build coops in their basement! I personally would never even consider such a thing but to each his own.
If you are concerned at all with human predators in your coop, I also strongly advise you lock it up with a lock and key or a padlock and key.

I've already taken the appropriate measures & installed the right equipment on the coop when I was building it to assure "our girls" safety at night time. Plus my shotgun would do a lot of convincing too,

 

[Ridgerunner]

My first rule on where to build the run is drainage. You mention puddling. If you have the run where water stands you will have issues. It is very uncomfortable working in mud, very messy, but a wet run can also stink and be unhealthy. You don't want that period, let alone near your house.

Different people have different concerns about the coop being close to the house. There is the potential smell, more when wet than when dry. Chickens can be noisy, that bothers some people a lot more than others. Some people like to be able to observe their chickens so they build close. Where will you be storing feed and getting water? Are you ready to carry those longer distances? Will you be wading through water and/or mud when you go to the coop in the rain? If you live where you get snow and ice will you be climbing or sliding down steep slopes?

The chickens should be in the coop at night. You say the coop is secure. Put a padlock on the run gate and you should be as OK as you can be.

 

[mowin]

I personally would keep it as far away from the house as I can, but still be convenient enough to get food, water to it easily.

How far away from the house is the trail? Do you plan on having a roo?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Agree with above - make sure to follow legal setback restrictions (if any) and try to place the set up where drainage is better, or plan on finding ways to improve drainage to the site.

In my area legal setback is 10' from property line and that's it. For maintenance reasons I wouldn't ever put it right up against the house but "close" is fine. My run is about 20' in front of my living room - close enough that we can eaily see what's going on. Noise isn't a problem thanks to double paned windows, smell not an issue thanks to excellent soil drainage and established deep litter.

 

[bseeds27]

So the trail is about 50 ft from our house. It goes, our property, 16 ft of utility property, trail & then the railroad. So it's a cluster of different property lines, but where I'm putting the coop/run is actually located on an old chicken coop from about 40 years ago. There's still a preexisting concrete foundation from the previous coop. The drainage isn't going to be an issue. It'll be roughly halfway between the house & the property line, trail. My main concern about any of this was if anyone had recommendations about how close they've put their coops/runs. It'll be under a tree too so they'll be a lot of preexisting shade.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Agree with above - make sure to follow legal setback restrictions (if any) and try to place the set up where drainage is better, or plan on finding ways to improve drainage to the site.

In my area legal setback is 10' from property line and that's it. For maintenance reasons I wouldn't ever put it right up against the house but "close" is fine. My run is about 20' in front of my living room - close enough that we can eaily see what's going on. Noise isn't a problem thanks to double paned windows, smell not an issue thanks to excellent soil drainage and established deep litter.

Same! My coop is close enough to the house when i go on the back porch, 5 sets of eyes see me immediately and head for the run door because they know something good is about to happen. I have no rooster so sound is not an issue, but I'll be honest, I love hearing my gals! I get so proud the louder they are! I have developed a trick to communicate with them. If i go outside to do something other than chicken related, i will not talk to them or acknowledge them. They sense this or whatever and remain unbothered and quite. If I walk out and say 'heyyy girls' they come runnin! ILovemyflock

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. If you put your general location into your profile people can give better-targeted advice because, very often, climate matters.

One thing that matters in coop placement is whether you get any kind of extreme weather that would make it inconvenient to get to your coop -- heavy snow, for example, but also extended periods of rain, etc.

I like my coop close enough that I can run out quickly in nasty weather (large roof overhangs over the nests is helpful here), rather than having to trudge to the far end of the property carrying the veggie trimmings from dinner. Not everyone wants to be able to step out on the back landing, yell "Food Bomb!" and launch a bruised apple into the run, but it suits me.

It is also less distance to carry heavy waterers in the winter when I can't run a hose across the yard.

Very few people would be as willing as I am to have my cull cockerels 15 feet from my bedroom wall, but I like the sound of the crowing and sleep like a rock through almost any distraction. I grew up in an industrial area under a major airport's approach route, within hearing distance of an interstate highway, and had my first apartment less than 200 yards from a busy, 6-track train crossing. Chickens aren't noisy to me. Freight trains and jet engines are noisy.

Think about tending your chickens in the worst weather you experience at each season. If it's convenient to care for them then they'll be better cared for than if it's difficult.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Welcome to BYC. If you put your general location into your profile people can give better-targeted advice because, very often, climate matters.

One thing that matters in coop placement is whether you get any kind of extreme weather that would make it inconvenient to get to your coop -- heavy snow, for example, but also extended periods of rain, etc.

I like my coop close enough that I can run out quickly in nasty weather (large roof overhangs over the nests is helpful here), rather than having to trudge to the far end of the property carrying the veggie trimmings from dinner. Not everyone wants to be able to step out on the back landing, yell "Food Bomb!" and launch a bruised apple into the run, but it suits me.

It is also less distance to carry heavy waterers in the winter when I can't run a hose across the yard.

Very few people would be as willing as I am to have my cull cockerels 15 feet from my bedroom wall, but I like the sound of the crowing and sleep like a rock through almost any distraction. I grew up in an industrial area under a major airport's approach route, within hearing distance of an interstate highway, and had my first apartment less than 200 yards from a busy, 6-track train crossing. Chickens aren't noisy to me. Freight trains and jet engines are noisy.

Think about tending your chickens in the worst weather you experience at each season. If it's convenient to care for them then they'll be better cared for than if it's difficult.

Food bomb! Thats hilarious and something i too can do, lmao!