Any reason for elevated door?

[chickepoo]

My chickens are currently free range but they've annihilated my landscaping, so we decided to convert an extra horse stall into a coop and offer outside space in the leanto by making a small door in the wall. I've seen doors on coops a couple of feet off the ground with catwalks on either side. Is there a legitimate reason for this?

 

[FireTigeris]

Not sure, snake deterrent? dog deterrent- looks better, ... can't flood as easy, harder to kick out bedding?

 

[debid]

I went up a foot to keep the litter from getting kicked out. No catwalks indoors for me but they do have a ramp of sorts outside since my coop is on legs.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Same reason, to keep the litter in. I don't have ramps but my coop is on the ground. Even two day old chicks can easily hop up a foot, but I put a cinder block outside as a step to make it easier for baby chicks to get back in. The litter on the inside is deep enough that they don't have any problems getting out.