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I made the elevated part of the coop so that they would have an area that was largely cut off from the weather, or could easily be made so. That part of the coop has about 6" of pine shavings, but I don't think it behaves in the way that the DLM is supposed to so I usually don't say I'm using the DLM. It always stays completely dry, which is fine by me. Moreover, they only roost in that area of the coop in the winter, so that's really the only time they poop in that area. The ground of the coop is just the dirt from the ground and some sand poured on top. I usually go out every other day and rake the droppings to keep it clean. Even if I go a week without raking (like when we travel) it doesn't get all that messy or stinky with just the 8 birds. The elevated part of the coop also serves as a soft landing pad for birds that are coming down off the roost (but that wouldn't be all that necessary if my roosts weren't so high. I made the roosts the height they are to allow the birds access to the airflow above the block wall behind the coop. I also wanted to maximize the ground area by elevating, but they only really use the area below the elevated section when they are locked up for extended periods. Soooo...I wouldn't argue in favor of my design over something like Meg had or many (perhaps most?) others here in AZ. It's just what I came up with at the time. Although, after nearly two years I'm not sure if I would change much. That the birds move from the open end to the sheltered end in the winter makes me feel like they appreciate the additional shelter. I'm also not finished with my coop. I'm searching for used pieces of plexiglass that I can make removable winter windows for for the open end of the coop. I also want to get a piece of plywood or something like it to make a removable inner cover for the elevated part of the coop to provide a bit more protection from the breeze in the winter. It can really whip through the top of the coop. I sometimes feel a little bad for the chickens in the cold in the winter. I think mostly that's my own issue and not much a problem for the birds. I do like to spoil them.
I also have my coop slightly raised ( about 12") but due to flood irrigation. Mine is open on all but the backside. I'm going to enclose it with plywood or something for the winter to block wind, not completely but more closed than it is now, and remove the wind block when it warms up again. My chickens really only go in for eating and sleeping. Door is open from sunrise to sunset.
