That dang coop better quit growing. At first it was about 9x8, then it was 8-1/2 x 9-1/2, now it’s 10 x 12. Pretty soon you’re going to run out of room to put it. (That’s meant as a joke, by the way.)
I think I’ve figured out how it’s laid out. That tree gave me pause, I may still have it wrong. That existing shed is off to the northeast so it won’t provide any shade but those trees will. I’m not sure how many chickens you’ll have, how many nests or length of roosts, or how much room that door takes up so it’s hard to talk about where and how to put nests or roosts. I think your run will be on the north side, so the coop will shade it. The existing shed and the coop will kind of form a corner so maybe offer wind protection in the winter?
Your pop door will be on the north side in the shade so it should let cooler air in during your hot days but it will be closed at night. I’d want a vent down low on that north side to let in cooler air from that shade. You can block that in the winter if you want to but where you are it probably isn’t necessary. I’d want vents up high on the west side for sure because that is your hot side, probably hotter than the south side, depending on shade. I’d also have vents on the south side for the same reason. High vents on the other walls would be good too. You are going to need a lot of ventilation in summer, even with that shade. I’m a lot further north than you and my high ventilation stays open year around. I have high ventilation in all four walls.
I’d want my nests on that north wall. You don’t want to create an oven to cook your chickens when they are laying. Maybe have your low vent under the nests. You probably don’t have enough room on the east to put much, with that door. Nests on the east side but north of the door would be my second choice. If I did that I’d want wood for insulation between the metal and the hen when she was laying plus make sure there is ventilation at the top of the nest so any hot air can rise out of there.
The roosts on the south side would not be horrible, the sun should have moved on to the west before bedtime so maybe it won’t be as hot as the west. Obviously the north wall would be better, east second choice, but those are kind of crowded. If you do put the roosts on the south side, I suggest maybe 18” off the wall instead of the standard 12”.
Your run is going to be 10 x 20 with those buildings sort of on two sides. Not exactly clear in my mind how all that lays out. Your fence will be 8’ tall, not sure how tall your buildings are. Where you are you’re not that worried about snow and ice bringing your cover down. Leaves and small broken branches may build up on top since you said you want to cover it. Those can get heavy when they are wet. I’m not sure how you will attach it to your buildings but 2x4 welded wire should span 10 feet without too much sagging. You may want to run one or two 10’ braces across the top if it’s sagging enough to hit your head. I’d consider doing that anyway so the weight of the wire and leaves doesn’t cause your fence posts to bend in. Wind can be pretty strong on that fencing too. Those braces will help hold the tops of your fence apart.
I may have mentioned it before, but I’d use hog rings to connect fencing to fencing, including the top so you don’t leave gaps critters can get through. You can get those and the tool to attach them at Tractor Supply.
Of course you can build a solid top for your run if you wish, just slope it so the water runs away from your coop and run. Those are more expensive and heavier than a wire top.
I may have the layout wrong. I feel like I may have. But one thing I’d suggest you consider, could you rotate that coop 90 degrees so the door is on the south side? That makes the east wall really good for your roosts.
Consider all this just rambling thoughts. I’ve tried to give reasons for my thinking but you are looking at it and have to live with it. Use your judgment and try to make it convenient for yourself. If you do that your chickens will probably be fine.
Good luck!
I think I’ve figured out how it’s laid out. That tree gave me pause, I may still have it wrong. That existing shed is off to the northeast so it won’t provide any shade but those trees will. I’m not sure how many chickens you’ll have, how many nests or length of roosts, or how much room that door takes up so it’s hard to talk about where and how to put nests or roosts. I think your run will be on the north side, so the coop will shade it. The existing shed and the coop will kind of form a corner so maybe offer wind protection in the winter?
Your pop door will be on the north side in the shade so it should let cooler air in during your hot days but it will be closed at night. I’d want a vent down low on that north side to let in cooler air from that shade. You can block that in the winter if you want to but where you are it probably isn’t necessary. I’d want vents up high on the west side for sure because that is your hot side, probably hotter than the south side, depending on shade. I’d also have vents on the south side for the same reason. High vents on the other walls would be good too. You are going to need a lot of ventilation in summer, even with that shade. I’m a lot further north than you and my high ventilation stays open year around. I have high ventilation in all four walls.
I’d want my nests on that north wall. You don’t want to create an oven to cook your chickens when they are laying. Maybe have your low vent under the nests. You probably don’t have enough room on the east to put much, with that door. Nests on the east side but north of the door would be my second choice. If I did that I’d want wood for insulation between the metal and the hen when she was laying plus make sure there is ventilation at the top of the nest so any hot air can rise out of there.
The roosts on the south side would not be horrible, the sun should have moved on to the west before bedtime so maybe it won’t be as hot as the west. Obviously the north wall would be better, east second choice, but those are kind of crowded. If you do put the roosts on the south side, I suggest maybe 18” off the wall instead of the standard 12”.
Your run is going to be 10 x 20 with those buildings sort of on two sides. Not exactly clear in my mind how all that lays out. Your fence will be 8’ tall, not sure how tall your buildings are. Where you are you’re not that worried about snow and ice bringing your cover down. Leaves and small broken branches may build up on top since you said you want to cover it. Those can get heavy when they are wet. I’m not sure how you will attach it to your buildings but 2x4 welded wire should span 10 feet without too much sagging. You may want to run one or two 10’ braces across the top if it’s sagging enough to hit your head. I’d consider doing that anyway so the weight of the wire and leaves doesn’t cause your fence posts to bend in. Wind can be pretty strong on that fencing too. Those braces will help hold the tops of your fence apart.
I may have mentioned it before, but I’d use hog rings to connect fencing to fencing, including the top so you don’t leave gaps critters can get through. You can get those and the tool to attach them at Tractor Supply.
Of course you can build a solid top for your run if you wish, just slope it so the water runs away from your coop and run. Those are more expensive and heavier than a wire top.
I may have the layout wrong. I feel like I may have. But one thing I’d suggest you consider, could you rotate that coop 90 degrees so the door is on the south side? That makes the east wall really good for your roosts.
Consider all this just rambling thoughts. I’ve tried to give reasons for my thinking but you are looking at it and have to live with it. Use your judgment and try to make it convenient for yourself. If you do that your chickens will probably be fine.
Good luck!
:cd Well here are a few photos of my castle! Just need to put the hardware cloth on the ground around the perimeter. Every time I turnaround I seem to add something. Today it was the LED solar photo cell - motion lights. Doesn't look like much but don't ask the cost. Let's just say every egg will be golden!
