Thinking Outside the Box. Would it be too wierd if ...

[BirdBrain]

I wanted to build a chickencoop that shared a wall with the house? I was looking around at the 2 feet+ of snow that still sits in my yard and was wondering if it would ever melt in time for a coop to be built for chicks arriving the first week of June. It suddenly struck me that we have a large upstairs deck (it is about 8 feet above the ground) that might be the perfect place for a coop. I would have to put some sort of slanting roof just under the decking to shed the water that drips through the decking but other than that, the uprights are mostly where they need to be. The ground slants away from the house which is good, but I would have to come up with some sort of flooring scheme. I have windows already. It would be right by a faucet and electric could easily be run in there. It would include one of the windows from the downstairs family room so we could look in on the chickens whenever we wanted. Obviously that window would remain shut but there are two others.

I told DH that if we wanted to build a coop out in the yard later, that the under deck coup could easily be used as yard storage. He is warming to the idea. Is this totally wierd? Am I missing something totally obvious? Help me out here.

 

[chicks4kids]

You know I've seen quite a few people on here with their coops attached to their homes. Some even actually cut a hole in the wall and install the nest boxes there so they don't even have to go outside to get the eggs.

Sounds like you've got the perfect set up with water and electricity right there as well!

 

[DaughterOfEve]

sounds perfect for you beginner home for the flock. Mine start in the basement, then a cage in the coop. best of luck.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

It's a bit odd, but I'd totally do it if I lived in Alaska...for very selfish reasons I might add

 

[BirdBrain]

Yeah, those selfish reasons get higher billing the colder it gets. All I'd have to do is go down the deck steps to tend to the girls instead of sinking up to my thighs in snow---yes I do have snow shoes, but who wants to sit on the bottom frozen step and put them on while trying to keep a bucket of warm water from spilling. Hmmm, I think I am liking this better and better. Now if I can persuade the weather to get unseasonably warm for a few days to hurry things along.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I'd do it!

 

[xyresicchick]

that sounds like a great idea

go for it!

 

[Jen71]

I think that's very very practical.
You are not using up additional space - that space under the deck is "dead" space anyway. You can easily insulate it, add an "egg collecting" door if you like, keep it heated and well lit - amazing!
I'm wondering why you WOULDN'T do that. Are there any drawbacks?
Go for it!

PS - It sounds very cold where you are. Brrr.

 

[CityChook]

I have to walk through the snow to get to the chickens and if I had the opportunity to build next to the house I'd do it in a heartbeat. Not weird at all. And if you could add electricity from the house, all the better IMO. I'd say go for it!

 

[geeber]

Howdy. I'm very new to this & I'm not understanding why you would need electricity for the coop. We are in the beginning stages of planning our coop while our 3 chickies are in their brooder in the dining room. Thank you!