How Close Is Too Close.....

[Patchesnposies]

....to the house, I mean.

We raised chickens when we lived in SD, but they had a wonderful coop set a little ways away from the main house. We miss the girls terribly and have decided to get some more.

We now live in southern NM and it gets hot here. Our property hasn't much in the way of shade trees (yet!), so my plan was to build the coop right up next to the house on the west side of the house where there is a lot of shade for the morning and part of the afternoon. It would be close to a door off of our kitchen (where we spend most of our time) and real convenient.

I am wondering if it will be too smelly or draw too many flies? Does this sound like a good idea or not?

Anyone else have their chickens that close?

Thanks for any and all input.

Deb

 

[AtRendeAcres]

A lot of people have thier coops close to house!

boy did I envy them this winter!!!

make sure you have good ventilation & use Sweet PDZ found at Agway (to buy some were else you are looking for stuff they put in horse stall to take out the amonia sell) mixed in with your litter!

 

[Stormhorse23]

My coop is right up next to my house!

 

[Sunny Chook Farm]

my small coop (6x8) is right out my kitchen door (in back yard), has it own brick walkway

other than hearing them, you wouldn't know they were that close (smell wise) ... bigger house (20 x 30)is about 50 plus feet from house...

 

[Churkenduse]

My coop is against the house, in fact I hear them in the morning calling me (now that the sun comes up early). No smell nothing. Also it is fairly close to the kitchen I walk out on the deck and talk to them.
I wouldn't have it any other way. Lovemy girls.....

 

[greysandy]

I'm really glad that you posted that question because I was wondering the same thing...

My kitchen window opens right above their run and I was hoping to just toss the veggie scraps out the window into the run.

 

[Buster]

Mine's close- here is the view out the back door:

The coop door is the the farther white door, although I am still considering turning the shop into another coop...

 

[silkiechicken]

I think someone here even has part of their coop built along/in their house! Or garage rather. As long as you keep it dry inside, flies and smell should not be that big of an issue if at all.

 

[Wildsky]

Yeah, build the coop right next to the kitchen, have the nest boxes with a little egg drop straight into the frying pan!

 

[Buster]