Where to place coop?

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I am getting ready to assemble my coop and can't decide where to put it. Help?!

Option A- by the garden.
Pros- close to the garden and flower garden for easy (supervised!) free-ranging.
close to the compost heap
close to the water source
very convenient to access
Cons- very close to the house (if smell is an issue. I'm doing the deep litter thing, so don't know if this is an issue or not.)
No shade in the area at all (west side of the house that gets lots of sun year round)
very close/ right next to my neighbor's pasture (not sure if this is an issue or not. Could potentially be more predators coming in from that direction)


Option B- other side of the house under a tree
Pros- very shady in the summer
can see the whole area from my dining room window
issue of smell almost non-existent
Would be in the side of the house where the barn will eventually go
Cons- further from water, etc.
Not as easy to access
Under the area I've been using as a bird feeder. Would have lots more interaction with wild birds. Only a problem if the bird flu thing comes this way, I guess.
On the open field side of my house. Don't know how close to the house predators might come (we have fox and coyotes out here). It would also be in eyesight of the backyard where my dogs live. I expect chickens and dogs would get used to each other, but the dogs like to bark at everything.

Any thoughts from those that have done this before?
thanks!
CG

 

[nccountrygirl]

I would go with option B. They need shade in the summer, you can carry water like I do. I would move the bird feeder to anouther location, and you can see whats going on from your house. If chickens get to hot from to much sun they could have heat stroke and die, this is my 2 cents worth. Mine is in my back yard with my dogs and the chickens ignore the dogs

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

UMMMM thats a tuff one! If heat is not a big problem i'd say option B due to the water thing. But both seem to have advantages. let us know how it goes.

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

Flock size is a consideration. I have one of my silkie coops 20 feet from the back door. NO STINK & NO FLY PROBLEMS
but I work at keeping all my coops clean and it only houses 12 adult silkies.
I have another bigger silkie coop about 50 feet from the front door it holds up to 40 adult silkies.
I have to carry all my water from the house..

We have a mini duck pen and a 8X10 run. IT CAN GET TO STINKING.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

There will only be about 8 of them. It's to be a tiny little flock. (Until, of course, I get addicted and have to have more and newer breeds and then have to have an incubator to hatch my own and then...)

The side under the tree has a huge mole issue. The ground over there is practically squishy. Will this be a problem?

thanks!
CG

 

[KingsCalls]

I will be voting for option B.........I like to watch my birds from my dining room window!

 

[picklespickles]

being able to see them is my favorite thing. but i know my back isn't as strong as it used to be. i set up my stuff so i can get them water even if i'm feeling terrible, it's snowing or whatever. to me, carrying water is a real consideration.

 

[patandchickens]

I'd vote for option B. Shade and coolth are important, your dogs are going to have to get used to seeing chickens no matter what, and it's awfully nice to be able to easily admire the chickens from the house. Just move the birdfeeder to another location. If you're only going to have 8 or so chickens it will not be any problem to carry or wheelbarrow the cleanings over to the compost pile, or you could even start a second one near the coop.

Water-wise you can just leave a 'lifetime' type hose run to the coop in non-freezing weather, or even, if you're going to be building a barn out thataway, just run a buried water line out there *now* and be done with it! (State of the ground permitting at present... I do not recall what part of the country you're in)

Good luck,


Pat

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Thanks for the input, y'all! It seems Option B is a winner.

Patand Chickens- ultimately running a water line out there is a good thought. I'll budget that into the barn tally. Probably when/if I get the barn up, I'll move the coop to it anyway. Water and power in the barn would be a good thing!

Have a great Christmas all!
CG

 

[hsm5grls]

I vote put one in location A and one in location B. Lets not kid ourselves you will need them both. You will hatch out babies and buy that chicken that is just so beautiful you can't resist. LOL It will happen it is just a matter of time. It is an addiction we all have it and it is very contagious. Oh you may need the barn too.