Virginia

[Susan Dye]

Hey Virginia chicken owners! I am researching coop location and design for my coop. I am new to owning chickens. I have identified where to purchase them and breeds (Heritage RI Red, Olive Egger, Barred Rock). But I need to get my coop designed. Been researching and see recommendations for South facing openings and windows, vents East to West. I am in Central VA, can have 6 hens, 20sq ft coop max and 40 sq ft max run. I have not yet determined wind direction of my own yard as some suggest. But my concern is of course winters and our HOT AND HUMID summers here!!! I would like to hear from other VA chicken owners on coop design location for the summers here. Considering the heat and the winters, where should the nest boxes be? Window locations? Vent locations? I have no trees in MY back yard (removed 2 large oaks this year), HOWEVER, the adjacent lots have lots of trees that provide shade on my yard. We have pretty moist area, no standing water in yard ever, but it is mossy where the trees used to be. This will be our first full summer without the trees. I have been studying the light in the yard and as much as I can tell there was still a fair amount of shade from neighboring trees after the removal of our trees. Thoughts from the more experienced? TIY

First, welcome fellow Virginian! Second, zoning. Best to check out zoning and any requirements concerning placement of a coop for backyard chickens. Are you within city limits? Even some counties have restrictions/limits. Better to get those issues addressed if there are any before getting started. I live in Staunton, where they only recently, within the last 4 yrs, allowed backyard chickens. But, they put in so many requirements that it seems they went out of their way to discourage anyone from getting chickens. So, better safe than sorry. Just a suggestion, but you could get some kind of wind thingy, like those big flower things or even a small whirly gig and check it periodically for wind direction. I would look at placing the nesting boxes where there is the most afternoon shade. Even though some people swear chickens only lay in the morning, it's just not true. I've got girls who lay all the way up till 5 PM in the summer. Vents. Lots of vents. Just not where they will create a draft directly where the hens perch. As for the heat and humidity, don't know where else you've lived, but after almost 30 yrs in FL, it has taken me 6 yrs living back in VA to even begin to feel the humidity! lol It's really not that bad here in Central VA unless you live within the city limits of one of the bigger cities, like Richmond, where there is a lot of pavement to hold the heat. Hopefully, other more experienced people on here will be able to supply you with more practical advice. There is a whole section on coops and most of the info is pertinent regardless of where you live.

 

[Ryguy3684]

Hey Virginia chicken owners! I am researching coop location and design for my coop. I am new to owning chickens. I have identified where to purchase them and breeds (Heritage RI Red, Olive Egger, Barred Rock). But I need to get my coop designed. Been researching and see recommendations for South facing openings and windows, vents East to West. I am in Central VA, can have 6 hens, 20sq ft coop max and 40 sq ft max run. I have not yet determined wind direction of my own yard as some suggest. But my concern is of course winters and our HOT AND HUMID summers here!!! I would like to hear from other VA chicken owners on coop design location for the summers here. Considering the heat and the winters, where should the nest boxes be? Window locations? Vent locations? I have no trees in MY back yard (removed 2 large oaks this year), HOWEVER, the adjacent lots have lots of trees that provide shade on my yard. We have pretty moist area, no standing water in yard ever, but it is mossy where the trees used to be. This will be our first full summer without the trees. I have been studying the light in the yard and as much as I can tell there was still a fair amount of shade from neighboring trees after the removal of our trees. Thoughts from the more experienced? TIY

You might not have enough space for 6, standard/large breeds. They should have a minimum of 4 sq. ft. of coop and 10 sq. ft. of run, per bird. Bantams use a little less. Ventilation is the most important thing. You can keep an upper soffit completely open, covered in hardware cloth, and a few windows, or vents, to make a cross breeze in the summer months. My coop doesn't have an open soffit, so I have a small, outdoor, fan in an upper vent, that pulls air out constantly. Just make sure the ventilation that's at roost level, or below, can be closed in the winter months, while leaving the upper ventilation open. I keep my fan on low in the winter, to pull out moist breath and ammonia. Winter ventilation is just as important as summer. I would place the nest boxes low and on the north side of the coop. That way, hopefully, the coop blocks some of the summer sun. Other than ventilation, use hardware cloth, instead of chicken wire, for the run. Predators can rip through stanard chicken wire. If your run is going to be covered, I used the corrugated, white, plastic panels from Home Depot. They provide shade and the white color helps reflect the summer heat. The coop designs page has some great designs and ideas that others have used. When breeds are chosen, you might have to tweak things to suit them. I have Buff Opringtons, so I don't care about the cold, they can handle Virginia winters. I did, however, need lots of open vents, shade, and an extra fan, in the summer. Good luck and have fun. Owning chickens is a blast, and a bit addictive.

 

[PugHappy]

First, welcome fellow Virginian! Second, zoning. Best to check out zoning and any requirements concerning placement of a coop for backyard chickens. Are you within city limits? Even some counties have restrictions/limits. Better to get those issues addressed if there are any before getting started. I live in Staunton, where they only recently, within the last 4 yrs, allowed backyard chickens. But, they put in so many requirements that it seems they went out of their way to discourage anyone from getting chickens. So, better safe than sorry. Just a suggestion, but you could get some kind of wind thingy, like those big flower things or even a small whirly gig and check it periodically for wind direction. I would look at placing the nesting boxes where there is the most afternoon shade. Even though some people swear chickens only lay in the morning, it's just not true. I've got girls who lay all the way up till 5 PM in the summer. Vents. Lots of vents. Just not where they will create a draft directly where the hens perch. As for the heat and humidity, don't know where else you've lived, but after almost 30 yrs in FL, it has taken me 6 yrs living back in VA to even begin to feel the humidity! lol It's really not that bad here in Central VA unless you live within the city limits of one of the bigger cities, like Richmond, where there is a lot of pavement to hold the heat. Hopefully, other more experienced people on here will be able to supply you with more practical advice. There is a whole section on coops and most of the info is pertinent regardless of where you live.

First, welcome fellow Virginian! Second, zoning. Best to check out zoning and any requirements concerning placement of a coop for backyard chickens. Are you within city limits? Even some counties have restrictions/limits. Better to get those issues addressed if there are any before getting started. I live in Staunton, where they only recently, within the last 4 yrs, allowed backyard chickens. But, they put in so many requirements that it seems they went out of their way to discourage anyone from getting chickens. So, better safe than sorry. Just a suggestion, but you could get some kind of wind thingy, like those big flower things or even a small whirly gig and check it periodically for wind direction. I would look at placing the nesting boxes where there is the most afternoon shade. Even though some people swear chickens only lay in the morning, it's just not true. I've got girls who lay all the way up till 5 PM in the summer. Vents. Lots of vents. Just not where they will create a draft directly where the hens perch. As for the heat and humidity, don't know where else you've lived, but after almost 30 yrs in FL, it has taken me 6 yrs living back in VA to even begin to feel the humidity! lol It's really not that bad here in Central VA unless you live within the city limits of one of the bigger cities, like Richmond, where there is a lot of pavement to hold the heat. Hopefully, other more experienced people on here will be able to supply you with more practical advice. There is a whole section on coops and most of the info is pertinent regardless of where you live.

Hey there! I have lived in Central VA all my life - not far from Richmond, I definitely feel the humidity! LOL I checked with the county and confirmed the restrictions. I plan to hoist a wind sock for the wind direction, weather has not been the best for hanging one, lol. I have been combing the site for coop information and found it helpful, which led to many more questions. I think the nest box in the afternoon shade makes sense.

First, welcome fellow Virginian! Second, zoning. Best to check out zoning and any requirements concerning placement of a coop for backyard chickens. Are you within city limits? Even some counties have restrictions/limits. Better to get those issues addressed if there are any before getting started. I live in Staunton, where they only recently, within the last 4 yrs, allowed backyard chickens. But, they put in so many requirements that it seems they went out of their way to discourage anyone from getting chickens. So, better safe than sorry. Just a suggestion, but you could get some kind of wind thingy, like those big flower things or even a small whirly gig and check it periodically for wind direction. I would look at placing the nesting boxes where there is the most afternoon shade. Even though some people swear chickens only lay in the morning, it's just not true. I've got girls who lay all the way up till 5 PM in the summer. Vents. Lots of vents. Just not where they will create a draft directly where the hens perch. As for the heat and humidity, don't know where else you've lived, but after almost 30 yrs in FL, it has taken me 6 yrs living back in VA to even begin to feel the humidity! lol It's really not that bad here in Central VA unless you live within the city limits of one of the bigger cities, like Richmond, where there is a lot of pavement to hold the heat. Hopefully, other more experienced people on here will be able to supply you with more practical advice. There is a whole section on coops and most of the info is pertinent regardless of where you live.

 

[Susan Dye]

Hey there! I have lived in Central VA all my life - not far from Richmond, I definitely feel the humidity! LOL I checked with the county and confirmed the restrictions. I plan to hoist a wind sock for the wind direction, weather has not been the best for hanging one, lol. I have been combing the site for coop information and found it helpful, which led to many more questions. I think the nest box in the afternoon shade makes sense.

I lived in Richmond for many of my formative early adult years. Like right in the city where the temps in summer were the same at night as they were during the day! I also lived outside of Richmond in Chesterfield County. Big difference, even though close mileage wise. Good luck with your coop. Put more faith in what you learn on this site than most others. There are lots of differing opinions, but also lots of wisdom and experience.

 

[PugHappy]

You might not have enough space for 6, standard/large breeds. They should have a minimum of 4 sq. ft. of coop and 10 sq. ft. of run, per bird. Bantams use a little less. Ventilation is the most important thing. You can keep an upper soffit completely open, covered in hardware cloth, and a few windows, or vents, to make a cross breeze in the summer months. My coop doesn't have an open soffit, so I have a small, outdoor, fan in an upper vent, that pulls air out constantly. Just make sure the ventilation that's at roost level, or below, can be closed in the winter months, while leaving the upper ventilation open. I keep my fan on low in the winter, to pull out moist breath and ammonia. Winter ventilation is just as important as summer. I would place the nest boxes low and on the north side of the coop. That way, hopefully, the coop blocks some of the summer sun. Other than ventilation, use hardware cloth, instead of chicken wire, for the run. Predators can rip through stanard chicken wire. If your run is going to be covered, I used the corrugated, white, plastic panels from Home Depot. They provide shade and the white color helps reflect the summer heat. The coop designs page has some great designs and ideas that others have used. When breeds are chosen, you might have to tweak things to suit them. I have Buff Opringtons, so I don't care about the cold, they can handle Virginia winters. I did, however, need lots of open vents, shade, and an extra fan, in the summer. Good luck and have fun. Owning chickens is a blast, and a bit addictive.

Good to know about the fan, I did have a thought of making a window to fit a little fan I have that can pull out air. North side low nest boxes make sense. The extra vents and fan is confirmation that my effort and concerns about the heat is not wasted. Have hardware cloth on the list. Good tip on the covering for the run. Trying to balance good planning vs overthinking! Thanks!

 

[Vmuss13]

*INCUBATING EGGS Hi fellow Virginians, I am wanting to hatch eggs in my incubator. I was going to order some but read that with the low temps and long shipping of the eggs will lower their hatch rate. Is there anyone here in Virginia that has any that I could buy and pickup? If so please respond to this. I’m looking mostly for buff Orpington but really I’d be fine with any. Thank you! Hopefully people see this

 

[Ryguy3684]

*INCUBATING EGGS Hi fellow Virginians, I am wanting to hatch eggs in my incubator. I was going to order some but read that with the low temps and long shipping of the eggs will lower their hatch rate. Is there anyone here in Virginia that has any that I could buy and pickup? If so please respond to this. I’m looking mostly for buff Orpington but really I’d be fine with any. Thank you! Hopefully people see this

My flock is all Buff Orpingtons with a Buff Orpington rooster. I currently have 20 eggs in the incubator that are all thriving at 14 days. Last month, we had 14-15 eggs fertile. How many eggs are you looking for? I'm in Fauquier County

 

[Ryguy3684]

Good to know about the fan, I did have a thought of making a window to fit a little fan I have that can pull out air. North side low nest boxes make sense. The extra vents and fan is confirmation that my effort and concerns about the heat is not wasted. Have hardware cloth on the list. Good tip on the covering for the run. Trying to balance good planning vs overthinking! Thanks!

I wish I had over planned things. I changed out and rearranged almost everything with my set up, the first year I had chickens. I wish I knew about this website back then. It would have saved me a lot of trial and error. That said, I'm happy with my setup and it was fun building everything.

 

[Ryguy3684]

*INCUBATING EGGS Hi fellow Virginians, I am wanting to hatch eggs in my incubator. I was going to order some but read that with the low temps and long shipping of the eggs will lower their hatch rate. Is there anyone here in Virginia that has any that I could buy and pickup? If so please respond to this. I’m looking mostly for buff Orpington but really I’d be fine with any. Thank you! Hopefully people see this

Forgot to mention. My flock doesn't have any genetic issues to pass on and the rooster is very docile with people and great to the hens. Also, I believe I have 3-4 cockerels in my brooder right now. They will be free to anyone that wants them. They're only 3.5 weeks old, so I need a couple more weeks before I can confirm.

 

[PugHappy]

Anyone here in VA used Kroeger's Critter Keepers to build coops?