This is my first post but I have been reading a lot and am getting ready to build my coop. My coop will be 8 x 6 , looking to get between 8 to 12 chickens. The question I have is the inside height of the coop, I see the 4 sq. ft. per chicken recommended in the coop and the 10 sq. ft. in run.
There is no specific number for height, however there are some things that need to be taken into consideration when deciding the height of a coop. It starts with the height of the nest boxes and goes from there. If you are planning to let a hen brood chicks at any point in the future, nest should be placed at or near floor level. Next come the roost level, which should be about a foot above the nest boxes to discourage sleeping in the nests. Finally, comes the ventilation, which should be at least a foot above the roosts to prevent drafts blowing directly on the birds while at roost.
Definitely do make it tall enough so that you can easily get in to clean it. If it's tall enough for that, everything else like the roost and nest box will fit in just fine.
Agree with everyone, it would be easiest if it's tall enough for you to get inside. On the other hand though, mine is raised about 3 feet off the ground to maximise run space and the sides can fold down so it's still very easy to clean. I have nest boxes at floor level, with a dropping board just above the nest boxes and the roost over the dropping board. It will depend on the size of your chickens, but with all of that my coop is only 3 feet high. Without the dropping board I could have gone a little lower but I really wanted the board. I did the absolute minimum though because I rescued some chickens but couldn't afford to build anything fancy, I used mostly recycled materials. The more height you have the easier it is to provide draught free ventilation.
My next question? I was wanting to try the deep litter method, should I build up off ground 2 feet or build on the ground. I have excellent drainage at this location. Also plan a 12 x 18 run using the deep litter. I also thought that at sometime in the future I could split everything down the middle to have 2 separate coops and runs, so as to keep 2 different breeds for breeding.
You'll get the best composting action if your litter sits directly on the ground. That being said, others have successful deep litter on coops with floors and elevated. What is your climate? If you are somewhere that has deep freezing winter weather you may prefer to build directly on the ground to let the ground insulate the litter and allow the composting action to continue longer into colder weather. The litter in an elevated coop may stop composting or even freeze in winter because it's basically just surrounded by freezing temps. If you do opt for an elevated coop, with your proposed dimensions I'd make a large clean-out door on each side. That way you can easily reach in to clean. I'd also make the coop floor high enough to push a wheelbarrow up to the edge and just rake the used bedding into the wheelbarrow. A door on each side would make your idea to divide the coop in half in the future really easy. I'd think about going larger though. 8x6 is good for 12 chickens. If you do divide it into two you may find that it is tight, especially if you are wanting room for raising up young birds or if you want to use one half for broodies and their chicks. I would go 8x8 at least or maybe 10x6. Lumber comes in 8 and 10 foot lengths anyways.
Agrees, might want to go bigger if you are going to split coop for breeding...and brooding. Check out My Coop Page. I use a portable floor coop for broodies. Here's some good info on space: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need And Ventilation: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts Here my take on: Coop Stackup Here's my theory on the 'stack up' aspect to coop design: Bottom of pop door is best about 8" above floor so bedding doesn't get dragged out of coop. Nice to have bottom of nests about 18" above bedding to allow use of that floor space under them(doesn't count if your nests are mounted on outside of coop). Roosts are best about 12" higher than nests so birds won't roost(sleep) in nests and poop in them, if you use poop boards under roosts it will also 'stretch' your floor space. Upper venting works best as high as possible above roosts so no strong drafts hit roosts in winter...and hot/moist air and ammonia can rise and exit coop.
