Where to locate coop?

[PolarBerry]

So we have an odd predicament of having so much land I just am at a loss where to put the coop! One area I was looking at is somewhat close to the woods and my concern would be creatures attempting to break in. The other area is more of a southern facing sloped hillside (where we plan to plant an orchard). My concern would be it getting hot in the summer since it gets sunlight most of the day.

I'm looking at 2 dozen or so laying hens (already have people from my husband's work/family wanting to buy eggs).

Any input on ideal locations? Thanks in advance!

 

[barred2rock]

I put mine south facing to keep it warmer in the winter months. With good ventilation heat really shouldn't be a major issue. Besides the birds are only in the coop at night or to lay during the summer.

 

[chickmom3941]

Ours has three south-facing windows, one east facing, one west facing. A large pen is attached to the coop on the north side. Our coop is nestled underneath and between a large walnut tree and two apple trees. These provide great shade in the summer which helps keep the coop as cool as possible. However, the leaves all drop off in the fall/winter, which allows the sun to shine inside which helps warm it slightly. We have found this set-up to work perfectly for us. It maximizes the shade in the summer and the sun in the winter. Hope this helps somewhat. Use hardware cloth generously to help keep critters out!

 

[yogifink]

I'd put them in or near the orchard. they'll clean up any waste for you at the end of thr season and fertilize the crop.

planning to plant fig trees in our run.


land look beautiful btw. wish or property was green like that...

 

[Kiki]

Put it close enough to run water and electric to it.

 

[sawilliams]

I have 7 acres (recently moved) and we where is the same situation, "where?" Of course climate should also be taken in to consideration as well as convenience and safety.

At first we talked about putting the chickens out in the field. It would be a great option, flat, visible, but at the moment its mostly bare. No trees for cover for shade, and i have no other animals to go out in the feild yet. My biggest fear was distance would result in neglect, that and the distance to the a feed shed and water source. At a minimum a water source should at least be a hose that easily reaches the coop. I could always build an attached food shed later, but there isn't anywhere out there to hook up a hose.
So the next option was on the hill... understand my house sits on a hill most of the acres of land is a nearly flat valley on the south side of the house. I wasnt as worried about heat as our summers are very hot 100+ for almost 2 months and winter though cold hardly get below 30 degrees for more then a few weeks. So protection from the sun and heat was more important. And a mostly flat area.
Without building a coop on my lawn or driveway, we opted for under a large oak on the north side of the house about 15-20 feet from the drive way. It's a bit of a slop down to the coop and hubby will need to build stairs but the coop and run area about as level as we could get not being in the feild...

So for us under a tree for shade, close enough to the house that I can easily walk down 2 or more times a day and as flat and area as possible.

As for the garden, or in your case a further orchard. If you choose that area build the coop pick a spot that would have mimimal effect on the layout of the orchard. Off to one side or in a corner. Think about it this, close to the orchard could have is own benefits, free ranging in the orchard would help with bugs, some of the weeds and cleaning up some of the dropped fruits (if you plant fruit trees that is) also shade and cover from hawks. On the down side the birds might try to roost in the trees from time to time. Sorry i don't have a lot of negatives for the orchard.
For me my garden will go on the same side of the hill as my hens but will be fenced seperatly, partly becuase of deer and other animals but also so i can keep chickens out when I have seedlings sprouting. Yes chickens can be hard on gardens but in a well established garden with limited access that can be a really great help to.

What ever you decide make sure the distance is comfortable for you. Feeding, watering, letting the chickens out or just checking in on them from time to time. You want it close enough to be comfortable, but far enough that they aren't a bother too. As long as the coop is well ventilated and they have a shade area to get out of the sun the heat should be fine. And if its gets cold remember most chickens are better adapted for below freezing temps so long as the coop gets enough ventilation that it stays dry

 

[PolarBerry]

It won't have water running to it but eventually plan on running electricity to that area (it's by a cleared area my husband plans to build a wood shop and greenhouse).

Most chicken coop plans I see are for like 3-5 hens, he's looking more at building like a 12 by 16 shed modified with ventilation and nesting boxes/roosts.

 

[Kiki]

It won't have water running to it but eventually plan on running electricity to that area (it's by a cleared area my husband plans to build a wood shop and greenhouse).

Most chicken coop plans I see are for like 3-5 hens, he's looking more at building like a 12 by 16 shed modified with ventilation and nesting boxes/roosts.

Have you looked through these yet?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/large-coops.20/

 

[ScottandSam]

Most chicken coop plans I see are for like 3-5 hens, he's looking more at building like a 12 by 16 shed modified with ventilation and nesting boxes/roosts.

Your hubby is a smart man. You could have a storage area for feed. broader, areas for new chicks and sick chicks even space for breeding. If he wants to build that you will be set for a while. I also think in the long run with all that space you have it would be a no brainer.

Scott

 

[PolarBerry]

The "run" that will be fenced in (but probably no roof other than trees) will be just under an acre. Hoping to have a covered outside "coop" of probably equal size to the coop that will have a roof so they can get safe outside time when younger before being set into the larger pen, or in cases of bad weather (mainly rain here) they can get out of the coop but stay dry.

He said today he may be able to figure how to run water since we'll need it for the tree drip irrigation.

Since it's southern facing I should see if he can do some solar powered panels or something to power lights (he's an electrical engineer so I have faith in him)

I'll go over the plans with him soon since our goal is to build this winter/spring and get some chicks from a local hatchery. He also said he wants some broilers for meat so may be utilizing the hoop style pen for some meat chicken slightly away from the hen house.

Thanks for the links/suggestions. Will be sure to share pics!