Location for a New Coop

[sealskin]

Hi All,

I promised the kids I'd build them a chicken coop for chickens next spring so I'm in research phase. My plan is a coop/run combo with a footprint of 6x12. The coop itself will be 24 square feet.

There is really only one location in my yard that is easily accessible - it is on the west side of a detached garage. I live in Northern Ohio, USA. We get fairly cold winters and fairly hot summers. I've received conflicting info such as place windows on south side to heat coop in the winter versus don't put windows on south side - it is too hot.

So all things considered, here is my plan: The coop will open to the run on the NorthEast side ( our average wind comes from the south west. The window and egg box will be on the southeast. Unfortunately, it won't get a ton of morning sun because of the garage, but will hopefully get some light in the winter. The back will get a fair amount of afternoon sun from the west, but there's not much I can do about that since trees don't grow fast enough to shade it.

Does anyone have any suggestions on this before I make it happen?

 

[Stipenvlerk]

I would try to place it in a way the coldest winds in winter will not blow into the coop and that you have enough ventilation channels to release the heat in summer days

 

[3KillerBs]

Put plenty of ventilation up high -- right at the roof -- because both heat and ammonia rise. Also, use generous roof overhangs to keep rain out.

Make sure that your location is well-drained and use grass swales and/or French drain as appropriate.

If you can find a tree trimming company that will dump a truckload of wood chips on your property now they'll be aged and right for use as bedding in the run next spring if you want to use deep litter for poop management.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've received conflicting info such as place windows on south side to heat coop in the winter versus don't put windows on south side - it is too hot.

In my opinion, a lot of this type of recommendation is a lot more personal preference than for any real reason. Some people like a coop to be bright and sunny. My personal preference is that the coop be a bit darker. The need is that you and they need to be able to see what they are doing in there without artificial lights. A window can let in a lot of light, even if it is on the north side in Ohio. If you have ventilation covered with hardware cloth you can let in a lot of light. I really like open ventilation at the tops of the walls under roof overhang. The overhang helps keep rain and snow out but lets ventilation and light in.

If you have adequate ventilation in summer the coop will be cool enough. You still need decent ventilation in the winter to get bad air out and let good air in. In the summer a breeze blowing on them can be really soothing. In winter you do not want a cold breeze blowing directly on them. The way I handle that is to have permanent ventilation over their heads when they are on the roost so any breezes pass above them in winter. As long as it is over their heads I don't care which direction it comes from. In summer I open a window and have a low vent on the shaded side of the coop so cooler air can come in and replace that hot air. Will your pop door be on the north side in the shade? That would allow cooler shaded air in during the day when it is hot but closing it prevents breezes form hitting them on the roosts in the winter. Those are the only two critical times.

In the heat of summer they need shade. If I understand it right your coop will provide shade in the run in the afternoon when the sun is hottest. Great. Your nests will be in the southeast side. Not that bad. You do not want them turning into ovens in the hot afternoon sun. The morning sun should not be that bad. My chickens will go outside in winter even if the temperature is below 0* F as long as the wind in calm. If a cold wind is blowing in winter, they do not go out in it. If your coop acts as a wind block you are way ahead. I built a wooden gate into the run right at the corner of the coop. I did not do this on purpose but it created a nice wind-protected outside area they enjoyed in winter.

Your goal is not to provide them a warm place. Your goal is to provide them a place they can keep themselves warm with their down coats, much like the birds that overwinter where you are. Wild birds can position themselves as they need to in regard to the weather. Our coops sometimes restrict that freedom so we need to be a bit careful. To be able to keep themselves warm they need to be dry and out of a direct wind. The wind we've discussed. Keeping dry has a lot to do with decent ventilation so the moisture from their breath, their poop, and any water for drinking can escape.

I don't see any fatal flaws in what you propose. I think things like ventilation and keeping the ground dry are much more important than sun direction, but it is something to consider.

 

[aart]

I promised the kids I'd build them a chicken coop for chickens next spring so I'm in research phase.

Kudos for starting your research early!
There is a lot of info to sort thru, it's like getting a sip of water from a fire hose.
Take notes, save links. I use word doc with headings like roosts, ventilation, nests, etc so it's easy to search later.

 

[Alaskan]

Ii wrote a cold weather coop article you might like

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/