What Is the Best Position for a Chicken Tractor?

Online, September 28, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Proper Protection
Depending on the typical weather conditions you experience, be really careful about ensuring that your coop has enough protection from any harsh elements. Likewise, as chicken do best in a draft-free environment, trying to build the chicken coop in an area that is a bit more sheltered is a wise decision. Conversely, if high winds are not an issue for you at all, then this will not be quite as important of a consideration. However to help provide clean air to the chickens, also make sure that the coop has enough ventilation; so that it is a combination of shelter and air flow that you want. You should also try and build the coop on an area that is well-drained or not impacted by ground water, so the base could be prevented from getting soggy or causing rotting (if the floor is made of wood).

Sun Direction
In terms of positioning to the sun, you must have most of the windows of the coop facing the south. This will help ensure that enough sunlight gets in to keep the coop lighted, as well as warm.

Predator Considerations
Predators could cause problems and you would want to keep the coop away from them. So, it is essential to consider this in your placement. In the past, if you have experienced issues with predators, build an extra fence or gate around the coop to keep them out and your chickens safe, inside. Otherwise, you can also try and position the coop in a place, where it you can easily keep an eye on everything. Since, you obviously cannot be watching the coop 24/7 and predators are still a big issue for you, you may also want to consider getting a dog for around the coop. This will usually do an effective job at keeping the predators out.

Use A Proper Amount of Space
Since the chickens are going to need room to move around and get some exercise, being sure that the coop does not become over crowded is critical. The exact space you need, will vary depending on the type of bird you have. Most chickens will do well with 1-2 square meters inside or 4-10 square meters outside. On the larger end of the scale, if you plan to house geese, you should be leaving 6 square meters inside and 18 square meters outside for them to move.

Water and Feed Availability
Depending on the size of coop you are wishing to build, you should have a couple of feed and waters placed around for easy access. Placing the water feeders outside the coop can be a good idea, in effort to help keep the humidity of the coop down lower. Finally, be sure that the height of the feeder is appropriate for the bird size you are housing, so that there is no struggle to get food when needed.

Ventilation
Finally, the last thing you will want to keep in mind is the ventilation source you are providing for the birds. As mentioned briefly above, the chickens will need a good source of air flow to bring in excess oxygen and remove ammonia or carbon dioxide. If you are noticing that your coop has a build-up of dampness, this will be a strong signal that your chickens are not getting enough ventilation, at the moment. Usually a small vent on the side of the house, coupled with good forms of insulation will be your best bet for keeping the chicken happy. Try and keep the vent away from the direction in which you typically experience wind, however also ensure that you keep drafts to a minimum.

Thus, keep these factors in mind when trying to decide the best position for your chicken coop. Doing so will not only help promote the healthiest chickens possible, but will also prevent you having to worry about making future adjustments to