Building a Chicken Coop: Choosing the Correct Location

Once you have decided on purchasing or building a chicken coop you will probably spend a lot of time deciding on your chicken coop design and finish, its type, size, and what type of chickens you are going to keep.
These are all very relevant points to consider but one that’s just as relevant but often overlooked is how to properly locate your chicken coop.  

Before you even begin building however, you should first check the local city ordinances for chicken keeping making sure that it’s even legal to keep chickens in your area. Urban chicken keeping is still illegal in many cities so make sure to check first before building a chicken coop 

Choosing the right location and position of the coop is essential to the well being of your chickens and also for the practicalities of everyday access for cleaning and maintenance.
If you are planning on building a chicken coop for a small city garden or similar urban setting then it’s even more important to consider a nice attractive design as no matter where the coop is positioned in the garden it’s likely to be highly visible.

Some of the most important points you will need to consider when locating your chicken coop are: 

·         Sunlight and shade 

·         Prevailing winds 

·         Shelter from cold draughts and wind in icy weather 

·         Ease of access for cleaning and collecting of eggs 

Exposure to natural sunlight is essential for the well being of your flock as it provides a natural source of vitamin D3 in chickens.
This particular vitamin is essential for, among other things, healthy bones and the regulation of calcium levels in the chicken’s body. Calcium in turn, is essential in maintaining healthy egg production and for the prevention of egg binding in egg laying chickens. Vitamin D3 is formed naturally in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. 

By taking note of the path of the sun across your garden throughout the day you can figure out when and where the sun shines brightest and position your chicken coop to make the most of the available light.
Remember though, that while chickens need sunlight, they also need an area of shade to keep cool on hot summer days so your chicken coop design should always incorporate a shaded area the chickens can retreat to when they need to keep cool. This is of utmost importance in the summer time and if you live a warm climate. 

Wind is also an important factor in your chickens well being as exposure to draughts can often have fatal consequences. Even a relatively mild breeze can cause a dramatic drop in temperature even during summer months and an unwanted draught is often the cause of premature death in otherwise healthy chickens.
Chickens are at risk particularly at night when going to roost if the roosting quarters are not adequately draught proofed. 

Depending on your particular location you will find there is a prevailing wind direction in your area and by giving this a little thought and building a chicken coop that is correctly positioned and sheltered you can minimise the risk of any adverse effect the cold wind may have on your flock 

If you are part of the modern movement towards ‘urban chicken keeping’ and plan on building a chicken coop in a city garden or other small garden setting then you would do well to position the coop where it forms and interesting and attractive addition to the garden. You will probably be able to see your chicken coop through the window no matter where you position it in the garden so it makes sense to choose an attractive chicken coop design and position it to make the maximise visibility of your chickens. This has the added advantage of allowing you to keep a better watch for predators and pests which can still be a problem even in an urban setting. 

Lastly, apart from considering the welfare of your chickens you should also spare a thought for the practical side of maintaining your coop on a regular basis. Remember, you will need to visit your chickens at least once a day, every day of the year so positioning the chicken coop in an area that allows easy access in all types of weather will make the task of cleaning and egg collecting and the care of your chickens in general a lot less stressful and will result in a more pleasant experience for both you and your chickens. 

In general, before you begin building a chicken coop you should take a little time for a couple of weeks beforehand to observe the general area you plan to keep your chickens in. Take note of the wind direction, exposed areas, the path of the sun and the areas in the garden which don’t have too much activity and will be the least stressful for the chickens. 

Once you have taken the time to do this you can then choose a chicken coop design that best suits your needs and will provide optimum living and egg laying conditions for your new flock.

See also ~ Free video tutorial for building a chicken coop