Wich way should the coop face. Nth? Sth/

[The Proprietor]

I'm having the same trouble trying to figure out which way to place the coop inside the fenced area. I don't have any chickens yet but am making things ready now. The spot I want to put it in is shaded by a huge pine tree but the yard area gets sun. Is it better to have the coop in the sun through the winter for warmth? It can get really cold here. The temp fluxuates between 0 and 45 degrees during the winter.
Thanks

 

[Katydid2011]

Our main coop doors are all on the North side because that's the sheltered side in our area, but each coop has a South facing window to catch maximum light - very important in the Pacific NW where we have a lot of gray, dreary days.

 

[Katydid2011]

Quote:
I like to have the coop windows facing South because that's where we get maximum light during the gray/rainy season, but each window has a shutter to block out direct sunlight during summer to prevent overheating (all of the coops have plenty of ventilation). Chickens are generally more susceptible to heat than they are to cold, albeit depends somewhat on the breed.

 

[darkmatter]

I orientated my coop to maximize Winter sun, windows to the south and west. Shade in the Summer from trees. Roof angled to resist the winter north winds. See my BYC page for pics of my set-up.
Other Construction points:
Roof overhang all four sides to minimize weathering.
All wood above ground, not making contact with dirt, no rot.
Plywood sheathing overlaps foundation to shed water and not allow seepage into coop.
Ladder roost pivoted to allow lift up for cleaning/access.
Deep brick foundation, dirt floor, deep litter composting pit---for ease of maintenance. Only clean it out once a year for fertilizer for the garden.
Rainwater collection system.
Shade and food trees/plants in the run to defray costs of feed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Quote:
Most chickens handle cold much better than heat.
At night, when it's coldest, the sun serves no useful purpose. Unless heated, your coop will be the same temp inside as out.
In summer however, if the coop is in the sun it can get 10, 20 degrees or more above actual temperature.
I've never known chickens to die from cold in a coop but plenty die from heat every summer. They die in winter from lack of ventilation.

 

[Chemguy]

To me, location (shade or no shade) is more important than orientation. However, I have also oriented my coop so that the prevailing winds do not carry rain, snow or chilling gales directly into the coop. The side of the coop facing the prevailing winds does not have a window while the others do.

 

[Ole rooster]

When I built mine most of my concern was the wind and weather. I have North and Northwest winds here in the winter and for this old rooster it can get just to darn cold. I can handle cold but the wind just cuts through any amount of cloths I have on. Anyway, I made my coop so it can be completely shut up. But I did put in a 30 X 36 window as a clean out door. That is facing South. I figure when the leaves are off the trees and the wind is blowing, that one window will the only form of heat in the coop. The more I think about it, I wish I had built two doors the same side by side. That would have been a lot more light and more sun. But I got what I got and I'll see this winter if I need to modify it.

Good luck with it.

This is the door.

 

[centaine]

Foxes and cats are prevalent in all inner city areas in Melbourne- day and night. I would suggest closing the coop at night and ensuring that heavy mesh lines the bottom of the cage( and margin outside)

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

Not the best picture I have, but our coop is a converted green house attached to a shed.
Behind my youngest is the east facing wall, morning sun and all that good stuff.
The open door to the right is north, but it faces the back of the house, easy access.
To the left is south & the oak tree, so they have shade in their run most of the summer.
And the west wall is attached to the shed, that is where their roost is. We get the NW winds, so they are protected from most of the bad stuff.
My girls are locked up tight every night, don't want to take any chances.

My youngest holding Fiesta, who is my biggest BR now, and my 2nd egg layer of the bunch.

 

[The Proprietor]

Thanks for all the great advice!