So you just received your new round-top chicken coop and now have to decide where to build it. You may have a beautiful location in mind, but before you begin assembly…it’s important to take a few considerations. Below are 4 tips for selecting the ideal coop location.
1) High Ground is Dry Ground: Be sure to place your coop in an area that does not flood or is prone to runoff during torrential rains. Placing your coop on level solid ground that drains well is ideal! We recommend dirt floors in the runs of coops so that chickens can dust bathe and so that decomposition of poop can occur utilizing natural microbes in the soil. Part sand part soil is great, and in almost all instances, the native dirt in your area will work great!
2) Water Access: Place your coop in a location with access to a water hose to easily refill your flock’s EZ-Fill Waterer.
3) Sunlight: Did you know that hens need about 16 hours of daylight? Anything less than 12 can slow down and sometimes even stop egg production from your flock! Make sure your coop faces in a direction where it receives maximum sunlight during the winter months. Sunlight will allow for any wet dirt to dry quicker. Make sure to view our other blog posts to learn how to properly protect your flock from freezing winters and high summer temperatures.
4) Electricity Access: Live in an area that is prone to freezing temperatures? If so, keeping your flock’s water from freezing is critical. Each coop waterer comes with a slot to insert an aquarium heater during the winter. Most aquarium heater cords only extend a few feet, therefore an extension and cord cover is necessary. Wattage will depend on how cold it gets where you live. Generally, something 50-100 watts will work in most locations. If you have questions, just contact us and we will share with you what we’ve learned from 100’s of customers.
Tip: Before you begin predator-proofing your new coop, we highly encourage having your coop in the perfect location. Our coops weigh between 125 – 1,000 lbs once fully assembled. Therefore, choosing the perfect location is critical to prevent future relocation. If you are looking for additional predator protecting tips, visit our blog post “How to Predator Proof Your New Coop” for guidance and examples.
Live On An Incline?
We understand not all backyards are level. We recommend building out a platform using landscape or cinder blocks to create a level ground for your coop. This in turn serves as additional predator protection as well.
We hope you found these tips helpful as you begin assembling your flock’s future coop. Have questions or comments regarding anything mentioned in this article? Please feel free to email us at support@roostandroot.com or give us a call at 877-741-2667.