Building on a concrete slab: Raised coop or Not?

[JohnnyAndJuneMN]

We have a concrete slab behind our garage that we're planning to build our chicken coop on. We're in the suburbs and can only have 6 chickens, so we're building a 4' wide by 7-8' deep (6'tall) coop. We were initially thinking of building a raised coop (18" space under) to give our chickens more room in their runs(we're planning on building 2 runs off the front and side of the pad/coop so we can rotate their run space). If we do raised, all that room under the coop would be on the concrete pad. I'm assuming that's not good for them to be on? We could put sand or dirt on top of the concrete, or maybe shavings or straw? Or does it seem silly to build an elevated coop, then try to be messing with the area under it all the time? We've been talking about doing a 'split level' coop, so that 3.5 feet of it would be to the ground, then we could elevate the last 3' of coop and they'd have that extra square footage in their run that would be more covered. We're total newbies so probably really over thinking all of this! We appreciate any experienced insight.

 

[3KillerBs]

I have no experience with concrete floor, but I can't think of any reason you couldn't put the same bedding on the concrete that you're using in the run.

We originally made our little coop 18" off the ground but then we had a 2' tall Brahma rooster. Since I like Brahmas, we'll probably go 2 feet on the permanent reinstall on the new property. That also leaves room for a good layer of bedding.

 

[MollyBee88]

We have a concrete slab behind our garage that we're planning to build our chicken coop on. We're in the suburbs and can only have 6 chickens, so we're building a 4' wide by 7-8' deep (6'tall) coop. We were initially thinking of building a raised coop (18" space under) to give our chickens more room in their runs(we're planning on building 2 runs off the front and side of the pad/coop so we can rotate their run space). If we do raised, all that room under the coop would be on the concrete pad. I'm assuming that's not good for them to be on? We could put sand or dirt on top of the concrete, or maybe shavings or straw? Or does it seem silly to build an elevated coop, then try to be messing with the area under it all the time? We've been talking about doing a 'split level' coop, so that 3.5 feet of it would be to the ground, then we could elevate the last 3' of coop and they'd have that extra square footage in their run that would be more covered. We're total newbies so probably really over thinking all of this! We appreciate any experienced insight.

 

[DobieLover]

We have a concrete slab behind our garage that we're planning to build our chicken coop on. We're in the suburbs and can only have 6 chickens, so we're building a 4' wide by 7-8' deep (6'tall) coop. We were initially thinking of building a raised coop (18" space under) to give our chickens more room in their runs(we're planning on building 2 runs off the front and side of the pad/coop so we can rotate their run space). If we do raised, all that room under the coop would be on the concrete pad. I'm assuming that's not good for them to be on? We could put sand or dirt on top of the concrete, or maybe shavings or straw? Or does it seem silly to build an elevated coop, then try to be messing with the area under it all the time? We've been talking about doing a 'split level' coop, so that 3.5 feet of it would be to the ground, then we could elevate the last 3' of coop and they'd have that extra square footage in their run that would be more covered. We're total newbies so probably really over thinking all of this! We appreciate any experienced insight.

Welcome to BYC!
Can you take a picture of the build site and maybe provide a sketch of your layout for the site?
How large are the runs going to be? I would personally just make one large walk-in style run with a solid roof on it and bed it down with a thick layer of dry matter be it wood chips or leaf litter or whatever you have available that will compost.
It is always difficult to clean under the coop. I had a coop like that once (not on concrete) and it was a real pain to get under there with anything to clean it out.

 

[MollyBee88]

I would definitely do a raised house for their nesting boxes & for them to sleep in for air flow and safety. It’s also Much easier to clean out because there is less bending over. Make sure the area under the coop has enough clearance to easily clean under and you can actually leave that part cement so you can just hose it off. Having a little concrete around helps keep their nails pretty and filed nicely too lol.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Having a concrete coop floor is a bonus! It will be terrific, and bedded with shavings and stuff as deep bedding, it's the best. Make sure that there's good drainage around the coop and out away from the runs before you build, because it's so much easier to fix first.
Your coop dimensions need tweaking, IMO. Build bigger!!! 28 sq' ft', and 6' tall? More coop space is always better, and 4' wide is narrow for social distancing in there. It will seem crowded, never good. Unless you are all 5' tall or shorter, you will HATE having a coop that's not comfortable to walk in. At least make it walk-in height!
My coop has an old concrete floor and it's just great!
How about some pictures of your site, and sketches of your plans? And your approximate location?
Mary

 

[reddogmaster2]

We have a concrete slab behind our garage that we're planning to build our chicken coop on. We're in the suburbs and can only have 6 chickens, so we're building a 4' wide by 7-8' deep (6'tall) coop. We were initially thinking of building a raised coop (18" space under) to give our chickens more room in their runs(we're planning on building 2 runs off the front and side of the pad/coop so we can rotate their run space). If we do raised, all that room under the coop would be on the concrete pad. I'm assuming that's not good for them to be on? We could put sand or dirt on top of the concrete, or maybe shavings or straw? Or does it seem silly to build an elevated coop, then try to be messing with the area under it all the time? We've been talking about doing a 'split level' coop, so that 3.5 feet of it would be to the ground, then we could elevate the last 3' of coop and they'd have that extra square footage in their run that would be more covered. We're total newbies so probably really over thinking all of this! We appreciate any experienced insight.

Welcome!

I like the idea of building some sort of "split level" coop over the slab.

Without seeing the build site I would frame out the coop over the entire slab then within the coop you can build a "deck" approx 18"-24" high in part of the coop. Depending on your weather you can leave some of the stud walls exposed (wrapped in hardware cloth of course) to allow air flow and ventilation.

The raised deck will then allow you to build your nesting boxes. Build your roosts away from the nesting boxes so they don't poop over the nesting boxes!

I'd layer the slab with some sort of straw (here in the south we have an abundance of pine straw) and you can add shavings or wheat straw to start your compost layers. The slab should make it easy to clean every few months or so. Just rake up the layers of mulch, spray clean with a hose and start the process again!

Good luck

 

[JohnnyAndJuneMN]

So here's the area we're working with. It's right behind our garage. (Figured we'd use the far 4-6' of the slab). We figured it'd be the part of our yard that gets the most shade in summer, and protected from wind and snow in winter, we're in MN. I'm leaning towards the coop extending to the ground for the back 3.5 feet closest to the garage, then having the last 3 feet be elevated at least 2 feet (shelter and easy enough to clean, I think) Shooting for at least 60 sq foot runs, 1 straight out, 1 to the side away from the concrete, we have to keep 15' off the property line per the city.

 

[archeryrob]

They make standoff's for 4x4 posts touching concrete. The wood will wick moisture from the concrete and even accelerate rot on PT lumber.