Trees

[colonel sander]

Ok how many of you have trees close to the coop? I am building coop between 2 evergreens. My dilema is I can cut one down and make the coop 2 feet bigger or leave it and just deal with trimming branchs here and there. The tree I want to take out looks like a charlie brown tree and only has limbs on one side as it grows towards the sun. It is shaded bu an older maple that is in my neighbors yard. I am in a urban setting so not alot of chices for where to put it. I do not want it right off my deck and am on a hill so the top of the hill is the flatest. Also coop and run are the same going for 10 or 12 x 5 run with an elevated coop. I have 4 girls in the brooder waiting for there new home.

 

[ddzFunnyfarm]

We're in SoCal and are very grateful to have a 40' pine tree on the west side of the run (trunk about 15' away) that gives great shade all afternoon. No tree on the east, but there's plywood on top of the run for shade 11am-1pm, then that pine takes over.

Sounds like you've given great thought to your location. Only question I would offer is how difficult will it be to get to your coop and run from the house, cuz you'll be making that trek a lot.

 

[colonel sander]

That is the only problem with the location is the trek. It is at the top of the hill and about 75 feet from the house. I dont mind the walk I just want it in the righ location. Only other location is right next to my deck and close to my neighbors. Being in a Urban setting I do not want to make them mad. One other option I have that is the best location would make the kids upset as it is there play area and right in the middle of the yard. Only issue they would be in full sun most of the day and only shade would be from the coop itself. As it is now even with the trees they will be in late afternnon sun but as the trees grow hopefully so will the shade.

 

[3goodeggs]

I find the trek an important part of my daily exercise. I would not want to do it in snow though. I forget everything and have to make many many trips.
We put electricity and water next to the coop and run. That is really important if you are a trip from the coop. Things get really heavy.
As far as the tree goes... from my years and years of experience and from my degree , I can tell you right now, if it isn't doing what you want now...It never will. Some seedlings just do not have it to thrive and no matter where they get planted or how much care you give them, they will never out grow their genetics.
Cut it down. build your coop where you want it,how you want it. Then go get a nice deciduous tree that will give you shade in the summer and light in the winter... and plant it in the perfect spot.
Life is too short to be obligated to trees and shrubs in the wrong spot.
make sure the new tree is not under power lines, too close to anything and that it won't get too big.
We have a large oak on the south side of the run and it is perfect. they get shade in half the run and any leaves that gather on the shade cloth roof can be removed with the leaf blower.
Good luck. have fun. enjoy the chicks.

 

[colonel sander]

Well after more thought and the blessing of my wife I think the tree is gone. This way I can make the run 12 feet long insted of 10. I also will hae more room on the side of the coop for cleaning and also an area for a compost bin. Hek I might even have enough room to build a little shed for keeping feed,shavings and supplies. One thing I would love to do is get water and electricity to the coop but it is probably at least a 100 feet plus run to do that. Getting it there would be a pain in the butt.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Naughty]

i wish i had electricity and water - but on the up side - it has helped my weight stabilize all that exercise lol

use the tree for parts foir the coop - roosts and such.... repurpose it lol

 

[colonel sander]

Oh I will get my exercise building this coop I have to walk all the material up a 70 foot hill. I will use the tree this summer in the fire pit in the back yard

Will have to start taking pics to make a build thread.

 

[3goodeggs]

70 ft up hill in the snow and wind and darkness carrying a bucket of water... ? no...
Get a ditch witch and dig a ditch and get the PVC and the conduit and put it in now. make sure the switch for the electricity is on your house so you can see where you are going .
You'll be sorry if you don't. I know it seems like a lot of work, but It really isn't that far. ( I have thousands of feet of practice trust me) unless you are digging in solid rock,... then disregard everything I said... and hire a kid.... or get a trailer for the lawn tractor.

 

[colonel sander]

We might get snow if we are lucky here I might run water and electric later but for now I just need the coop done. I have about 300 feet of cedar fence to put up also so my project list keeps geting bigger. As for the ditch witch not going to kill my yard. It is a nice finished yard and the grass is finaly green

 

[ddzFunnyfarm]

Quote:

If we had a nice lawn I wouldn't feel great about digging it up either but, alas, we have sand on top of rock.... solid like concrete, rock.

Trenching to run water pipes is not an option for us either, so we ran a heavy-duty hose out to the run from the faucet on the back of the house for cleaning/refilling waterers. For the electric (to operate tools and for brooder heat lights) we ran a heavy-duty extension cord from an outside outlet to the run, mounted about 6' high on 2x2 posts staked about 6-8' apart. There's a little sag but not enough for the dog to reach or DH to get "clothes-lined" by.