Weighing the vale of shade vs. Predator prevention

[Garyoutlaw]

I am struggling with where to build my new coop ..

My pasture has a thicket to my East & a row of trees to my West -
Most of our weather arrives from the West to South/West -

My initial thoughts were to build directly on the middle crown of the field
so that I could rotate my fences twice a year to prevent over grazing the pastures
the issue in building here gives my Hens zero shade or windbreak unless I build the coop on piers to give them access to the underside.
(As a kid our coop was like this & the Hens always hung out here when it got hot & took dust baths )

My major concern in building close to the trees is that all Predators in my area use trees as a way to ambush prey & fear I would only be playing with fire by putting a coop so close

I realize I may be over thinking & a bit of a scatter brain ..but I'm learning that being as well educated by real world Chicken keepers in how I don't make big mistakes

Thanks & fire away..

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Build high or on a slope to prevent mud holes.
Give your birds shade. Heat kills, cold doesn't.
Build in predator protection. That could be electric fencing and good, alert, mobile roosters.

 

[Folly's place]

Having good drainage is essential, so pick a location with that in mind.
Chickens are jungle animals, and will prefer to have trees and shrubs rather than an open field to root around in. Diverse plantings are best too.
Predators will find your birds where ever they are!!!
Afternoon shade and a wind break will both be good to have; would the trees on the west provide that?
If you build it away from shade and a windbreak, plan to plant trees and shrubs right away for them.
Having a safe coop and run are essential, and then free ranging is great when possible. Electric fencing is your friend too.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Did I forget that shade is very important?
Mary