On the Lawn or In the Woods? Where should I build my Coop & Run?

[Mike592]

I keep going back and forth arguing with myself if it's better to build our first coop and fenced-in large run just inside our woods, or build it out in the grass. Which place will the chickens be happier?

Thoughts? Pros and Cons?

Thanks.

 

[SobbaChickens]

The first thing that pops in my head is if they will be in more danger being close to a wooded area.

My coop was built attached to the garage and I love it, close enough that it's super easy to take care of them, they have a ton of shade and they share a fence with the alarm dogs So unless a predator is invisible I'm guaranteed to know if something is trying to get them.

 

[Mike592]

Well I'm not sure it will make much of a difference in my case in regards to predators. They'll either be on the edge of the woods or just under the canopy.

I'm wondering more about which place will afford them more variety for their diet. Or which will be less maintenance for the run.

 

[Messipaw]

I say go for the woods. that's what I did

 

[MoreHens]

I prefer a coop in the woods for a few reasons. First, the chickens seem to enjoy being under cover and scratching around in the leaves. Second, the shade keeps the coop cooler in the summer. I let the girls out to forage every few days and they'll split their time between the lawn and the woods, but they always gravitate back under the trees and shrubs for safety.