Ready to Build a Home for Your Backyard Chickens? Ready to Get Started on Your Backyard Chickens Coop? What Design Should You Choose for Your Backyard Chickens Coop? How Big Should Your Backyard Chickens Coop Be? How to Choose the Perfect Coop Run for Your Backyard Chickens? Where Should You Put Your Brooder? Where to Place Your Nesting Box? Where Should You Place Your Roosting Area? If you want to raise backyard chickens, you can start by building a coop. The coop will contain your chickens and will provide them with a place to lay their eggs. Choosing the right location for your coop is important to keep the chickens comfortable and healthy. You should build it close to your house and away from large trees and other foliage. The coop should have a southern exposure to ensure optimum sunlight and warmth. During the hot summer months, you can add a shade tarp to keep the coop cool.