4 Things to Think About Before Placing Your Chicken Coop

Where to Place a Chicken Coop

Raising chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience, but before you get sucked in by some cute little yellow balls of fluff, you should first decide on a style of coop and most importantly, where to place a chicken coop. The chicken coop is going to be shelter for your hens, giving them protection from rodents and other predators, keeping them warm or cool when they need it, and having a nice, quiet place for laying eggs. However the location of the chicken coop is just as important as the type of coop and making sure it has all the necessities. This guide will help you decide where to place it.

Natural Sunlight and Shade

First, place the chicken coop where it will get natural sunlight. They need regular light so that they lay eggs on a regular basis, and also to stay warm and be happy. Find a location in your backyard that will get a lot of natural sunlight during the day. Look at where the sun’s rays are in your yard during certain times of the day and find a place that doesn’t have too much shade and will offer them a sufficient amount of direct sunlight. You may want to find a place with part natural sunlight and part shade to keep them from getting too hot. Aside from shading them and keeping them cool enough, the trees over the chicken coop will act as a barrier to prevent water damage if it rains frequently.

Safe from Predators

Rodents and other small animals will be curious about your chickens and bother them, or even attack them. To keep them safe, you should choose a location for the chicken coop that is far from other animals. It should close in its entirety and have no gaps or holes for small rodents to get into. Keep it away from garbage cans or food as these areas tend to attract animals.

Avoid Windy Areas

If you live in a particular windy area, the question of where to place a chicken coop is even more important for you. You want your hens to have fresh air, but if you live somewhere that gets strong gusts of wind, they could get ill and have a harder time in that location. Find a spot in your yard that has a good combination of shelter from the strong winds, natural sunlight and partial shade. It may need to be rotated so that it is away from the direction of the wind. Keep in mind the trees nearby that might damage the coop when the winds come through.

Water Drainage

The last thing you should think about in terms of where to place a chicken coop is the water drainage in your yard. Avoid placing the coop near the water drainage area because it could damage the chicken coop and get inside the coop which not only damages the structure but could harm your hens.

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