Location of coop and run better in the shade or sun?

[chuck99z28]

Hi, First post here.

So my property (Virginia countryside) is hilly, but of the less hilly areas I have a choice between out in the open sun, basically hilltop, with no natural wind protection or at the forest edge which is much less windy but basically in the shade all day.
Which would be better?

I live in fox country and we routinely have fox families playing in our yard. Should I not let them free range at all and build a bigger run? I've been assuming a bigger run. So I wonder where I should locate the coop/run. Wind and Sun or shade and protection.

Thanks for your input.

 

[sorce]

Best of both worlds as best you can make it.

Mine seek sun to bathe in more than shade, so my small coop will get a slight rotation when I move, to receive a bit more sun, specially in this here winter.

The wind block sounds the more required for you down there.

Sorce

 

[Bio cryo guy]

Welcome to the Backyard!
I looked up your winter weather, and found your cold season lasts about 3 months. Your coldest winter day is January 30, with average temps of 42/26°F on that day. Hope that's close to accurate where you are in the state!
They're definitely going to want plenty of space out of the wind during those cooler times of the year. If you can put the coop in the shade, and extend part of the run into a sunny spot, that would be ideal in my opinion. If not, I would still opt for shade and protection.
One thing you might consider with the shade is how often the area dries out. If it's always wet in the run, it could promote health problems. If that's going to be an issue, then building in the sun might work better. You would want to provide shade and wind pretention then.
Because of the fox presence, I would definitely keep them protected inside of a closed run. The wooded area might have additional predators, so having a completely enclosed run would keep your birds the safest.
You could still free range them daily; you'd just have to stay present to help deter predators. I wouldn't trust leaving them out unsupervised.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Good morning and welcome (rewelcome) to the BYC flock!!!
You can always add some shade, put plastic, etc up on the walls that get the most wind. You will have better luck keeping the run dry with natural sun to dry it too. Best of luck on which ever you decide. Let us know how it goes too. Oh and the larger you can make everything the better!!!

 

[GC-Raptor]

My first coop is near a deciduous tree inside the pen. The tree shades the coop late spring through late autumn. Leaves drop and Sun warms coop during winter.
Downside, I've had limbs break during ice storms and land on coop a couple of times over 3 winters. Fortunately no damage done.
Protection from wind is good. I use plastic and tarps. .
For me the most important is for coops to be within a hundred feet of an electrical outlet so I can run an extension cord for lights and a heated base to keep water from freezing. . . . . GC
ETA; Drainage, good drainage is also important. A chicken pen can become a mess when all the grass is gone.

 

[CatWhisperer]

Chickens tolerate cold better than heat, for that reason I would opt for shade. Good insulation in your coop can help regulate temperature wherever you build. I have lots of foxes and other predators. I fenced in about 1/2 acre for my chickens to free range in. Just keep predators in mind as you build coop and fencing to protect your chickens as best you can. A lot of research will pay off big in the end, and BYC is the best place to do that.

 

[aart]

basically in the shade all day.

Deciduous shade?
That would be the best.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If the choice is strictly shade or strictly sun, I'd opt for shade. As others have said if you can get some shade (with coop in shaded area) and some sun, that'd be even better.

A fully enclosed run made of appropriate materials will help keep the flock safe, but it's your decision if you want to risk including some free ranging or not, depending on what your risk tolerance is.

 

[chuck99z28]

Thanks all. The all shade area actually gets the morning sunrise in the peak summer for 2 hours or so, but in winter it never sees sun. And without free ranging the chickens would not get any sunny spots. The ground isn't wet, but it always feels damp in the woods when its cold out.
I'd prefer the location of the shady spot, closer to the house, more room for plants in the sun. But I enjoy the sun on a cold day and thought the chickens might too. But if they can live in shade then that's a better location.
There's one more new choice. But basically the run/coop would have to be on a deck as its a steep slope. But it comes with other problems, like constant dampness under the deck.
My SIL is visiting for Christmas which will be building time.

 

[chuck99z28]

The wooded area might have additional predators, so having a completely enclosed run would keep your birds the safest.

Yes, my game camera shows bears, raccoons, possums, skunks, squirrels, deer or course and once a coyote besides the fox families.