Building new coop want to put down concrete

[aart]

The whole slab doesn’t need to be super structural or heavy does it?

Might depend on climate...freeze thaw can fracture concrete, better safe than sorry.

@chickenmama55 please....
add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[pintail_drake2004]

IMO if you're going to pour a slab, make it 4" all the way across at a minimum. and be sure to put anchor bolts in the concrete. That way, down the road if you every don't want the coop, or wanted to build something else on the slab, it's done right.

 

[Kris5902]

We were originally going to do a slab on grade foundation for our house... but it was more cost effective (way less concrete to ferry in) to go with the 18-24” footings 10”deep on the perimeter and a thin “mud slab” in the crawl space (they might call it something else now, it’s been a long time since the Father in Law was a mason/cement finisher!). Our foundation is 40’x40’, so just a bit bigger than this proposed coop, and it’s a two story house.

OP might also want to look into local building regulations (discretely, if you can avoid the hassle it’s worth it!) Where I am it doesn’t matter if it’s an open woodshed, coop, or barn... ANYTHING over 100sq ft and with 4.5’ or higher ceilings requires a permit and engineering. (I’m waiting ‘til the building inspector is gone to put in my woodshed and coop!) I’m hoping to pour in April/May, almost 2 years behind schedule thanks to the permits and engineering.

Yes, climate would have a huge effect on what would/wouldn’t work... I forget other people have to deal with major frost heaves!

 

[speedy2020]

The other option would be 12x12 or 16X16 step stone. It is easy manage and reuse as walk way if you decide not to raise chicken anymore.