Can I build a coop on cement?

[crazylilchick01]

Hello. This is my first time raising chicks. We have four chicks that are about 3 weeks old. We are going to start building our coop. Our backyard is not too big. It is half cement and half yard, but the yard part is covered with rocks about the size of a fig that go down about 6 inches into the ground. So.....any advice would be great. Can I build it on the cement and if so should I used sand, dirt, or what on the bottom of the coop? We plan on letting them out into the yard during the day - at night we fear the predators so they will be in the coop for safety. If I build it on the yard, how do I cover the ground in a way that is good for the hens. Thanks!!!!

 

[perchie.girl]

Hello. This is my first time raising chicks. We have four chicks that are about 3 weeks old. We are going to start building our coop. Our backyard is not too big. It is half cement and half yard, but the yard part is covered with rocks about the size of a fig that go down about 6 inches into the ground. So.....any advice would be great. Can I build it on the cement and if so should I used sand, dirt, or what on the bottom of the coop? We plan on letting them out into the yard during the day - at night we fear the predators so they will be in the coop for safety. If I build it on the yard, how do I cover the ground in a way that is good for the hens. Thanks!!!!

Welcome

from San Diego.

You have the best of all situations.... Build on the concrete put in river sand or something with lots of different sized particles for your floor and you wont need to do bedding. quick sift with a rake or scoop and cleaning is done. predators cant dig under and you have a very secure coop. For four chickens you can get away with about sixteen square feet. four square feet. But I would double the floor space just to account for Chicken math.... hee hee.

happy chicken keeping.

deb

 

[PAChickenChick2]

You can totally build on Concrete. First decide if you want a elevated coop or one level with the ground. (I prefer elevated so less bending for me). You can use landscaping Tees for the bottom supports so they won't rot like other wood when it gets wet (pressure treated lumber) and then use regular wood for the rest of the coop. There are TONS of coops to look at on this site =) As for what to use on the ground...well....that depends on how much time your chickens will be standing on the concrete.(if you are putting your coop directly on the concrete or building a run on the concrete) Concrete would be hard on their feet if they are going to be on it alot...so then I agree with the other poster that river sand is an excellent choice. If they are just going to be on the concrete long enough to jump out of the coop and go to the grass..then you can leave the concrete as is. Again...there are tons of examples and opinions on bedding, run foundation, ect...

My first coop was 4ft wide x 6ft long x 5ft high raised up on a 3ft platform and it held 6 normal size hens fine (and then eventually 4 with more room then they knew what to do with..lol)