Coop foundation questions

[moniquem]

After much thought and consideration I've decided to build this coop/run (see attached). My question is.....what is the best way to level out the bottom?

I've seen folks dig a trench, put in gravel then lay pavers on that, level and place coop/run base on the pavers. Is this good?

So for predator protection would I just put hardware cloth under the pavers and apron it out?

Attached are the plans I will use. I intend to make the run 12' as opposed to 8'.

 

[PirateGirl]

For my coop on stilts I just dug different depth holes for each leg so that the coop was essentially level. I gave the legs extra length to be able to do this. It also added stability and anchors it when it's windy if you dig in the legs instead of just setting the whole coop on top of blocks.

For the run (which is similar to your design), I did not run wood along the bottom of the fence, only the top. I dug the bottom of the fence into the ground (used a pick), again, depth could be adjusted. This also allowed for each upright to be dug in to a depth to give structural support. I do not have a skirt extending out from the run, just the run fencing buried a foot or more below ground. If I set the whole run on the surface and did not dig it in, I'd probably have a skirt that extends out (plan on doing this with my duck run).

Before you do too much work leveling the ground, think about drainage and coop location. By digging things out or building things up, are you potentially creating issues that aren't currently there?

 

[moniquem]

Drainage......hmmmmm

My location is next to an empty lot next to my property. The lot has 2 huge oak trees that offer up a lot of shade and acts as a wind break for that side of the yard. I just had a vinyl privacy fence put up that encompasses my whole back yard. I plan on letting the chickens free range in 1/2 of the yard, when I'm home only )

 

[PirateGirl]

yeah, drainage... I've seen some pretty rough looking runs posting on here lately with melted snow water or rain water pooling in the run... definitely think about it before moving too much dirt and when deciding where exactly you want to place your coop/run. You definitely don't want to have to move it later.

 

[Larry55]

If u skirt the bottom of run with chicken wire that would be better than digging down and lower than run and burying it. Run about 2 feet of chicken wire horizontally out from bottom of run. Predators will usually dig near base of run. Having chicken wite laid on ground horizontally will deter this. They dont know enough to start digging further out to defeat this.

 

[jreardon1918]

Assuming you are going to sink the four corner posts. You can just level the coop by cutting the posts to be level. We built the coop off site and trucked it in. Lifted it onto the four corner posts. Lag bolted the coop to the corner posts.

I do have a comment about the coop. It looks nice, but I don't see where the ventilation will be. There looks to be room to put gable vents on each end. You might also consider a ridge vent. Maybe a window or two. Just my two cents.
Jack

 

[pennyJo1960]

Please do the hardware cloth then pavers

 

[moniquem]

I do have a comment about the coop. It looks nice, but I don't see where the ventilation will be. There looks to be room to put gable vents on each end. You might also consider a ridge vent. Maybe a window or two. Just my two cents.
Jack

Yes, I agree and will definately add windows or vents of some kind.

Please do the hardware cloth then pavers

I'm leaning more towards this honestly especially after reading about all the predator issues from members. I will think defensively when it comes to putting my coop/run together.

 

[Larry55]

Chicken wire works. Hardware cloth will deter minks and weasels if they are in your area. We have a plethera of coyotes and my chickens still remain unmolested.

 

[lazy gardener]

If I were you, I'd use these: https://www.essentialhardware.com/n...qhytVXzyw0xCYUuQrk3-N9zg2y22E9pRoCn38QAvD_BwE

BTW, I looked at the pricing on those Handi-Blocks. That's certainly an error. They are very reasonably priced!!!

When we built our coop, we dug out an area for each block, then laid in a lot of pea stone for leveling and good drainage, and set the block on top. You can then build your flooring directly on top of the block with stringers, or you can insert upright 4 x 4 posts, and attach your floor framing to the posts. Using the 4 x 4 posts makes your leveling job be much more forgiving.

I'm not a fan of the elevated short coops. I'd build a walk in style, and attach the run to that. You can attach the skirt to the floor framing before attaching the siding.