Please help a newbie decide on a coop and run, and their placement ?

[SoCalRooster]

I am brand new to this. I have no hens, no chicks, no coop - nothing. I'm reading up and asking a lot of questions (sorry), so that I get it right the first time...or as right as can be. Attached are a google-satellite view of my back yard and a sketch with approximate dimensions. As respects space available, there's a grass area and a brick area - no dirt area.

I will gladly take ,and truly appreciate, any suggestions/advice/information that you may offer! I am especially interested in the type of coop and run - and the placement of where it could be in the back yard.

The city ordinance requires coops at least 10' from the side neighbors and 15' from the back neighbors. 4 Hens max., No roosters. 50 s.f. run max. NO free-ranging. A Special Animal Permit is required. Even so, the noise/smell/etc. could enable a neighbor to contest my permit.

I have two German Shepherds who are inside/outside dogs and roam the entire backyard. The family also uses that backyard. There are coyotes, raccoons, hawks, opossum, hawks, squirrels, rats in the area. Keeping the hens and food as protected as possible is important.

The weather is very moderate: Days are usually between 60 and 75. Nights are usually 50-65. There's usually a modest West-to-East breeze. It's below 45 here maybe 20 nights/year and above 80 maybe 20 days/year.

I am filing the Special Animal Permit, which should be granted in May. A Calif. hatchery can deliver four chicks to me in mid-May. The chicks will be old enough (pullets?) to move to their coop in mid-July(?) What coop? What run? Where can I put it? My preference (hope?) would be about $500 for the coop & run.

THANK YOU!!

 

[Mamatomany123]

First, I would measure the 10' and 15' if you have neighbors on both sides that will narrow down to a center. Then measure a 50 sq ft run( so a 10 x 5) for 4 birds I wouldnt go smaller, especially since they cant free range. See how much space that leave you with. Your coop you want a minimum of 4 sq ft per bird. For 4 birds you want at LEAST 16 sq ft, so a 4 x 4 coop. If you have the space to do bigger then I would. Do you have to be a certain length from the fence line? Cant tell if their arre neighbors behind you. If not then I would build the run towards that in order to help with noise, smell, ect.

 

[Acre4Me]

Southern sunny CA- pick a shady spot for the coop and run. Chickens wear down jackets year round so they need shade. Even if part of the run has sun, try to put coop itself where it gets only morning sun or is in the shade. Any coop is more closed up, so keeping it cool is easier in the shade.

buying a coop: get as big as possible, but one with an attached run bc in your yard, you could get away with 24/7 run access if you predator proof the entire enclosure. You will want to put a dig apron around the base: HWC around the perimeter on the grass 18-24”, and up the sides about 12”. If buying prefab then you want to stay away from really big breeds (in part bc the pop doors may not be big enough for them! And also interior space may be tight), and in such a warm climate try to stick with less heavily feathered breeds but if they can always choose a shady spot in their enclosure, it is less of an issue.

 

[SoCalRooster]

First, I would measure the 10' and 15' if you have neighbors on both sides that will narrow down to a center. Then measure a 50 sq ft run( so a 10 x 5) for 4 birds I wouldnt go smaller, especially since they cant free range. See how much space that leave you with. Your coop you want a minimum of 4 sq ft per bird. For 4 birds you want at LEAST 16 sq ft, so a 4 x 4 coop. If you have the space to do bigger then I would.

Do you have to be a certain length from the fence line? Cant tell if their are neighbors behind you. If not then I would build the run towards that in order to help with noise, smell, ect.>>>on the satellite image, the bottom is the backyard and back neighbor, 15' setback required. the large tree (now gone) is the west side, from where the breeze comes 95% of the time. 10' setback required there.