Where to put coop and run? [with pic]

[Chicabee19]

.....

Trying to figure out where to put the coop and run.

We could put the coop up against the building right under the eave on the left side, which would help keep predators away from the back, and having it against the building would help keep it warm. I plan to have a box on legs, with the under part open for the chickens to hang out in.

We don't want that wall inside the coop- don't want to damage the siding- it can be free-standing, just pushed close to the building as possible. That area gets really nice full sun in winter. I can shade-cloth in summer when it's really hot.

I'm thinking that the squarish area to the far left (which is never used for anything), would be perfect for the run.

Any thoughts?

thanks!

 

[redoak]

Why not make a coop on wheels or skids if you can't make up your mind about the best spot. Put it in the shade for the summer and direct sun in the winter.

 

[Bi0sC0mp]

yeah i would get it real close to that building help with the wind and animals trying to get them and will keep it kinda of hidden more private that would be a perfect spot for it if you ask me

 

[fullhouse]

Is the garage wood siding?

 

[Chicabee19]

I was thinking the same thing - the wall of the cottage will protect the back of the coop. We can get it as close to it as possible - maybe even attach it somehow.

The corner of that roof comes to chest height, so the coop doorway would be about that high.

Yes, that's wood siding, which is why I don't want to have it be any part of the coop.

I actually was thinking to put the coop on wheels -- I could roll it over to sit underneath that tree in the shade -- and it could still be hooked into the squarish run in that far corner.

 

[fullhouse]

I would put the coop on wheels! Are you going to have a veggie garden? You could rotate it to the veggie garden off season and have your hens till for you. Chickens coops are humid and you would want to have good ventilation up against that wood siding, for the chickens and the siding's sake.

 

[Chicabee19]

humidity: we live in a desert environment - about 1/2 the year it's pretty dry here. We also have the strongest and most sustained winds of just about anywhere in the U.S. I'll have to be careful not to let it dry out the chickens too much!

We're done with having a huge vegetable garden - all the kids are gone. Once the grass is in and the edge planters are formed I'll grow a few select veggies and herbs in those.

We're going to put an L-shaped pergola in the lower left corner running along the side of that deck, then going out from the corner to replace the left half of that wooden fence right in front there. There is a huge Wisteria that lives in that corner now, and we'll train it to grow over the pergola for shade. Maybe plant some grapes on the other end, or a climbing rose. That photo is about 3 yrs. old, doesn't show the wisteria, but it's pretty big - it goes down the whole side of the fence to that tree (which is a dark purple Lilac), and grows across the entire front and side of the deck.

The plan is to cover all of the perimeter of the fence with honeysuckle, wisteria, etc... so you can't see in unless you are standing at the fence. I can stand on the 24 x 12' deck and see the whole backyard.