Placement of coop/run

[ladyhand]

First of all, thank you everyone for how helpful you’ve been. I’ve been googling soo much on chickens but it’s hard to get advice on my exact situation.

After looking all through the Internet I decided I must build our coop. It will be roomy and I’ll be able to ventilate and keep my girls safe, happy and healthy. I want to put it inside of our fence in the backyard because, maybe rather foolishly, I think it may help deter some of the predators (granted if a building doesn’t stop them I’m not sure why I think my fence will). My fence is designed to keep my 3 fur babies in because my dogs wouldn’t be discouraged by a shock in the heat of chasing off a squirrel.

Behind our fence there’s a bit of area that’s already cleared, but we have a 1.2 acre lot that’s half wooded. I don’t want to clear anything else (there’s too much deforestation as it is) and disturb existing inhabitants such as our songbirds or the deer and rabbits that use that area and go to the stream that runs through the neighborhood (the stream is on the back part of my property). I thought that since this is such a shaded area, it will be great for NC summers and they can’t mess up my yard.

So really my question comes down to... should I put the coop in the fence with the run separate, or do I need to put the coop behind the fence as well? I can’t think of any type of ramp that will give them access to their coop over the fence that wouldn’t allow them to just fly into my backyard or one of my neighbors (who both have dogs on electric fences). I’ve attached a picture of my backyard and circled where I considered placement within the fence for the coop.

 

[3KillerBs]

Shade is definitely valuable in our climate. I had to put my coop temporarily in a place without shade and likewise for my brooder so I put cheap picnic pavilions up over them because even 25+ square feet of ventilation couldn't keep the 4x8 brooder under 100F on a 90+ degree day.

How big a coop do you plan on building?

If you took a section of the fence out and built the coop so that the wall of the coop fills that gap you could have the pop door in that wall and the run beyond. The only thing being the need for a gate to allow you easy access to the run.

Here is an envelope sketch of what I'm saying.

 

[ladyhand]

Thank you

Shade is definitely valuable in our climate. I had to put my coop temporarily in a place without shade and likewise for my brooder so I put cheap picnic pavilions up over them because even 25+ square feet of ventilation couldn't keep the 4x8 brooder under 100F on a 90+ degree day.

How big a coop do you plan on building?

If you took a section of the fence out and built the coop so that the wall of the coop fills that gap you could have the pop door in that wall and the run beyond. The only thing being the need for a gate to allow you easy access to the run.

Here is an envelope sketch of what I'm saying.

Thank you! I plan on building a 5x6 (I got plans for the one pictured). There’s a gate already but it’s halfway down the fence and I can’t block it because it’s the only way for my husband to get the lawn mower into our backyard and front yard. I have looked at taking a portion of the fence, but the way it’s built I’m not sure how feasible it is.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you

Thank you! I plan on building a 5x6 (I got plans for the one pictured). There’s a gate already but it’s halfway down the fence and I can’t block it because it’s the only way for my husband to get the lawn mower into our backyard and front yard. I have looked at taking a portion of the fence, but the way it’s built I’m not sure how feasible it is. View attachment 2699700

That's a pretty coop for half a dozen hens if you add plenty of ventilation at the roof peak (maybe change the roof to a monitor?), but 5x6 is a very awkward build with a LOT of cuts and a LOT of waste because lumber is sold in multiples of 4 feet and sheet goods are 4x8. In this day of sky-high lumber prices you might want to find something that uses wood more efficiently.

Have you considered an Open Air style coop? In addition to being well-suited to our blistering NC summers, this style of coop is cost effective to build since it's mainly posts and wire.

Also consider metal roof installed on purlins instead of having to pay today's inflated prices for plywood roof sheathing.

 

[perkolator]

What about locating it on the outside of that fenced in yard? I'd probably make an L-shaped run along that corner of the fence, and partially into the treeline so they have both forested and semi-open space. I would probably use the trees to hang fencing, perhaps even make a small treehouse type of coop.

 

[ladyhand]

and partially into the treeline so they have both forested and semi-open space.

I wondered about that, but should I worry about them getting into ticks and copperheads in those trees and bushes? It's essentially woods.

 

[3KillerBs]

I wondered about that, but should I worry about them getting into ticks and copperheads in those trees and bushes? It's essentially woods.

The chickens will eat the ticks with greed and joy.

They'll also eat the snakes if they're quick enough to catch them.

Chickens are naturally creatures of the forest floor and love to forage in woodland.

There is a chance that the trees could enable certain predators to reach them, but the trees would also serve to hide them from other predators. Also, some people manage to put anti-hawk netting around trees so that their chickens can have shady, wooded runs.

 

[aart]

(maybe change the roof to a monitor?)

Or at least extend the rafters for good overhangs and open soffits.

 

[Acre4Me]

Thank you

Thank you! I plan on building a 5x6 (I got plans for the one pictured). There’s a gate already but it’s halfway down the fence and I can’t block it because it’s the only way for my husband to get the lawn mower into our backyard and front yard. I have looked at taking a portion of the fence, but the way it’s built I’m not sure how feasible it is. View attachment 2699700

Very attractive! But, like @3KillerBs noted, you may want to consider a more open coop due to your climate.

you get some winter weather, sure, but not really so cold for chickens wearing down jackets. I’d think more about shade, ventilation and protection from blowing wind and rain. The 1/4-1/2” HWC will keep out small predators, including mink*. You will need to consider raccoons too.

some southern open air coops are 2-sides, some 3-sided. Some have only partial walls, for example a walk-in coop that is 6’ tall or more, might have the bottom 3 feet open, but walls for the upper portion, where roosts are located.

Depending on the water flow on your property may determine if you elevate the coop. If you elevate it a couple feet above the ground, it only gives a few access points for smaller critters, rather than the whole perimeter.

*minks and related small predators live near water. Minks are known to kill many chickens just for the thrill. Since you live near a creek/stream, it is often a highway for predators. So, just start out with a plan to exclude them. Remember, rodents and larger animals can chew through wood to enlarge any tiny openings, but have a pretty difficult time with metal and wire.

Your yard looks nice and your placement of the coop is great-nice and shady, with great area to scratch and enjoy the ground.