Were to place the coop ?????

[5peeps]

Hello

So after 2 months of reading and talking with the wife we went and bought 5 chicks on friday .

I am going the build a raised coop in my backyard but I need to figure out were first and I have a few questions that I was hoping to get help on .
Most of my yard is full sun I live in Seattle Washington were 4 weeks during the summer it might get in the 90's .

Can I place the coop in the open or should it be shaded ?

I also have a big cedar tree that I could place it under were they will get some direct sun but not a lot maybe 1 hour a day , also do I have to worry about them eating anything from the tree that might make them sick ?

Should I build one that is portable and I can move them under the tree when it gets to hot out ?

Thanks
The Newbie

 

[nccountrygirl]

I would put it in the shade. Chickens have a hard time dealing with the heat. Give them as much shade as possible, when summer hits you will be glad that you did.

 

[5peeps]

Thank you ,

nccountrygirl

Do you know of any issues with putting them under a cedar tree ?

Thanks Again
The Newbie

 

[Dawn419]

Hello and Welcome to BYC!

They should be fine under the cedar tree. We use old cedar posts to line the inside of our main run, to keep the gang from digging right along the inside of it and have had no problem.

The main issue with cedar is the chips. You don't want to use them around chicks because the of the oil in cedar, which can cause respiratory problems. Some members do use cedar chips, sparingly, for adult birds in the nest boxes as a pest (mite/lice) deterrent.

Hope this helps!


Dawn

 

[5peeps]

Dawn ,
Thank you for your reply . So I have to tell you I saw your coop about 2 weeks ago and was going copy your idea except I was going to try to build it from scratch I didn't know it was your coop until I clicked on your website . How has it worked for you it is very nice you guys did a great job on it . Is the single sheet of wood on the sides work ok during the winter how cold does it get in your neck of the woods
Hope you don't mind .

Thanks
The Newbie

 

[Dawn419]

Hi 5peeps!

Which coop are you talking about? The one we added on to the playhouse?

Dawn

 

[5peeps]

The modified one .

 

[Dawn419]

Aha...I'm thinking about starting coop #4 now so it get's confusing (which doesn't take much for me...

).

It worked out just fine over the winter, here in TN. Our winters are usually very mild. The worst that we had was temps down into the single digits for several nights in a row, with highs in the 20's and the 5 Silkies made it without a heat lamp or insulation, just fine.

Just give me a hollar if you have any more questions!

Dawn