Where to build

[Newfarmer36]

I'm planning on getting more chickens. I have 2 and a half acres. I want to build a bigger coop and run for them. My property is mostly hills. Do I need them to be on a flat area? Under trees? Away from my house? Near my house? Away from the woods line? Thanks!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You don't want them in a gully if it's prone to getting wet/standing water. And keep in mind you'll be going to the chicken yard at least twice a day so how far you want to walk in snow and wind is another consideration. Not to mention if you'll want to run extension cords for heated water in winter or adding supplemental lighting for better winter laying production. A tree or two or shrubbery in run area is good for summer shade and protection from hawks.

 

[Newfarmer36]

You don't want them in a gully if it's prone to getting wet/standing water. And keep in mind you'll be going to the chicken yard at least twice a day so how far you want to walk in snow and wind is another consideration. Not to mention if you'll want to run extension cords for heated water in winter or adding supplemental lighting for better winter laying production. A tree or two or shrubbery in run area is good for summer shade and protection from hawks.

I'm new to the whole chicken thing so I didn't think of any of that! Thank you!

 

[dunnmom]

I second that! Nothing worse than a swampy run. We ended up moving our whole setup because of flooding.

 

[Newfarmer36]

I second that! Nothing worse than a swampy run. We ended up moving our whole setup because of flooding.

I don't really have any flat areas but it never floods. But I do agree about how far I have to walk everyday. I'm not a lazy person but after working all day, the last thing I want to do is walk all the way across the yard to get to them as bad as that is to say.

 

[Newfarmer36]

I second that! Nothing worse than a swampy run. We ended up moving our whole setup because of flooding.

About 150 feet from the road into my yard is a straight slope. There's a straight slope in the back yard. I can put the coop and run on the side of my house but there's no shade at all. I can put it in front of my house but that's nothing but shade and I'm sure they'd appreciate some sort of sunlight beaming down on them. I would put them directly behind my house but there's nothing but clay back there.

 

[CapricornFarm]

You can put sand on top of clay for drainage, and pile leaves on top of that for them to scratch in and compost. Shade is important when it is hot.

 

[Mraya]

Also keep in mind chickens make noise. When my hens lay an egg they get loud.

 

[Newfarmer36]

You can put sand on top of clay for drainage, and pile leaves on top of that for them to scratch in and compost. Shade is important when it is hot.

Will the leaves and stuff bring up snakes?

 

[Newfarmer36]

Also keep in mind chickens make noise. When my hens lay an egg they get loud.

I get up early so that part won't bother me but watching tv or something will present a problem I'm sure.