Like human beings, chickens also need a place to sleep at night while being safe from predators. Choosing the right location is crucial to set up a chicken coop. You want to keep them healthy, blissful, and secure. But where should a chicken coop be placed?
You can set up a chicken coop anywhere in your backyard. But ensure solid ground, sunlight, a big chicken run, adequate ventilation, shade, a dust bathing area, and some fresh grass in the run to create a comfortable environment for the flocks.
Where Should A Chicken Coop Be Placed?
Chickens need shelter to rest and sleep peacefully at night. A flock house keeps them safe from extreme cold and hot weather. Rain can’t harm birds if they are in a protective coop.
But, setting up the flock coop in an appropriate place is necessary. You want to provide them with all the essentials to create a comfortable shelter.
Choose a particular location for placing a chicken house if you can ensure the following things.
01. Sunlight
Do you know sunlight contributes to the optimal health conditions of chickens?
Lack of sunlight may affect their sleep and wake cycle and egg-laying ability. It may also lead to stress-induced behavioral problems.
They need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The UV rays of sunlight are a great source of Vitamin D.
Their well-being will be compromised if you keep flocks in darker conditions for a long time.
Select a perfect place to get an adequate amount of sunlight. South-west of the house is the best site to get ample sunlight.
02. A Solid Ground
Does your living location have any footprints of predators like foxes? If yes, you can’t rely on soil or sand ground.
Pick a particular spot you have solid ground. A concrete or wood ground is perfect. But woods are better because it is neither too hard nor too soft.
Predators will not burrow and harm your flocks. Another advantage of solid ground is that it prevents over-growth issues.
03. A Dust Patch
Make sure there must be a dust patch near your chicken coop.
Dust baths are necessary for flocks to get off dead skin, dirt, and excess oil.
It also helps them combat parasite issues and destroy bugs from their feathers.
The sand should have medium-sized grit or plain construction grade, clean, dry sharp.
You may need additional ingredients to create a healthy dust bath ecosystem.
04. Chicken Run
Most household owners use their backyard area to set up a chicken coop.
But can you ensure enough chicken run area? Keeping at least 10 square feet of outdoor run space for each flock is crucial—however, the more, the better.
Why do chickens need a run? Flocks don’t like to stay in a confined space all day long. A chicken run allows them to wander freely and enjoy fresh air, sunshine, forage, and more.
Generally, lighter breeds need less space than heavier breeds. Select a particular spot where you can add a sufficient amount of open space.
05. Shade
Chickens need sunlight. But that doesn’t mean their body can endure the extreme sunlight from dawn to dusk.
They can’t cope with too much heat. Keeping them in a shade shelter during the summertime is crucial.
Extreme heat will cause heat stress and severe lethargy issues. They may even die from overheating.
So, pick a perfect spot so your flock will get moderate sunlight without overdoing it.
06. Proper Ventilation and Light
Don’t choose an area where you can’t ensure proper ventilation and light.
Sufficient ventilation is necessary to reduce excess heat and humidity.
Select a location where the surrounding area is not entirely confined. Instead, open space is better.
Fresh air will enter the chicken coop from all sides to create a comfortable environment.
However, it might be a problem during the colder months. The wall of the chicken coop must be well-sealed to prevent cool air from entering the flock house.
07. Some Fresh Grass on the Chicken Run
Avoid choosing a rigid surface for the chicken run.
A soiled area with some fresh grass appears to be a better choice. Grasses are a highly natural source of many nutrients. It contains omega fats.
Moreover, various bugs, insects, grubs, and worms sit on the grass that your flocks can enjoy freely.
Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Fescue, etc., are the top choices for chickens.
Should Chicken Coop Be In Sun Or Shade?
Chickens need both sunlight and shade. These flocks generally prefer six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. It is vital during the colder months.
But that doesn’t mean you will keep them for 12 to 18 hours in dark conditions.
Keeping a moderate amount of sunlight during the summertime is entirely okay. You don’t need to keep them in extreme sunlight conditions.
Just make sure they get the essential daylight for 14 to 16 hours. A moderately shaded area is perfect for these birds.
Also, you want to provide six to eight hours of darkness to offer quality sleep. They usually sleep till dawn.
Hence a balance between sunlight and shade will ensure the optimal health conditions for your chicken flocks.
Should The Chicken Coop Be Placed Near To Your House?
Keep your chicken house neither too close nor too far. The main advantage of placing the flock house near your residential area is the chance to keep a close eye.
You can track your chicken’s movements and save the birds from predators.
Keeping the distance between your home and chicken home short allows you to visit quickly.
Usually, a person should visit at least a flock house: in the early morning and late afternoon. In addition, you can run the electricity easily from the main line to the chicken coop.
But don’t keep the chicken coop too close to the house. Their dirt and feathers may enter your home. You may smell odor too. Additionally, insects may come from the birds’ coop.
Maintaining enough distance is essential to avoid messing up your house while cleaning the chicken house using hoses. Water may spill inside your residence.
Is Portable or Permanent Chicken Coop Better?
It usually depends on how much space your backyard has. If you have ample space, a portable chicken coop is handy.
Another advantage of a stationary chicken coop is moving them to the perfect place based on the weather conditions.
For example, you can move your chickens to a shady area to save them from intense heat.
Likewise, shifting the chicken coop from a particular side where ample cold air is coming is another leverage.
However, a perfect chicken coop is a better solution if you have a more significant number of chickens.
It appears impractical to repeatedly move the chicken house from one spot to another.
Tips for Planning A Perfect Place to Set Up a Chicken Coop
If you are making a permanent chicken coop to grow a good number of flocks, ensure you are well-prepared.
A disaster plan will not only cost you money. But also, your chickens may not stay happy and healthy.
Here are some top tips for creating an effective plant for placing a chicken coop.
01. An Elevated Area
Don’t use underground or lower-ground space to place a chicken coop. You need to keep the chicken coop in an elevated area.
The ground should be slightly raised to prevent predators from harming them. It can be anywhere from 8 to 12 inches.
Plus, it keeps flocks safe from standing or flooding water. But if you can guarantee there is no predator, on level ground might be okay.
02. Create a Wind Break
Are you thinking of making a permanent chicken coop? Do colder months last several months in your living location?
Be conscious and create sophisticated planning. Make sure there is enough wind break to protect your flocks. It keeps your birds comfortable and saves them from extreme weather.
So, what to use to protect chickens from extreme windy weather?
You can plant multiple mid-sized trees, and add taller fences, or similar elevated structures to cover the entire flock home.
03. Be Well Prepared about the Fencing and Gate Locations
Make sure you create a proper plant regarding your chicken coop’s fencing and gate location.
The fencing should be at least 18 inches tall to prevent predators from entering the house.
There should be no trees between the encircles. Otherwise, harmful animals will use these gaps to get inside the flock’s house.
Also, keep the gate location near your house. It gives you quick access and saves time, as you don’t need to walk around the entire area to enter the region.
Final Thoughts
You can’t choose any place to grow your chicken if you care about health and well-being. Before selecting a particular location for their chicken coop, plan how to create a comfortable environment.
They should have all the essential facilities. Knowing all the requirements is vital for setting up a flock house in a particular location. Hopefully, you got a clear idea about the question of “Where should a chicken coop be placed?”
