coop height

[Malthus]

I am designing a new coop and was wondering what an optimal height is? Or rather how low is too low?
I had originally planned on a larger/taller coop (~7'6")but my neighbors offered "some input" and asked that I don't peak over the 6ft fence...The coop is now 4'6" from floor to roof peak, with 18 inches underneath for predator protection and a place to get out of the sun.
I want to keep the girls out of the draft/vents in the upper 1 ft of the build but don't know that they will have enough room down below. Am I over thinking this or is my coop too short?

 

[ArchieT]

Hello firstly what chickens do you have. Mostly though it depends on what you want I have two coops one for quails that is around 1.5 metres and another for my chickens which is 1 metre at the tallest. I find my chickens like the height though. But mainly it is your preference.

 

[3KillerBs]

Is there a particular reason why your neighbors can dictate what size your outbuildings are? Would they be allowed to veto a garden shed, greenhouse, or storage building?

If your coop is larger than you can reach from the open door you're going to want it to be tall enough to stand in while you clean it. I made the mistake of using a 4-foot-tall run on my in-town coop and it was misery to clean out.

 

[aart]

Is there a particular reason why your neighbors can dictate what size your outbuildings are?

Wondering the same.

Am I over thinking this or is my coop too short?

Taller is better in a cold climate.
Is the coop raised or on the ground?
Pics would help here.

Here's some tips on heights:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

 

[Malthus]

Is there a particular reason why your neighbors can dictate what size your outbuildings are? Would they be allowed to veto a garden shed, greenhouse, or storage building?

They are a nightmare. One panel of our fence was installed .5 inches above code and they called the town, I cut down an old dying tree and they tried to argue that I needed a permit because one branch was within 15 ft of the road, my dog got into a fight with a skunk and while I was washing her off of course the cops stopped by because I "was fighting my dogs". So I'd rather just give them a wide birth and wait for them to sell their home. The wife is clearly off her rocker and it is not worth fighting crazy. Im just biding my time until they sell.

 

[Malthus]

Wondering the same.

Taller is better in a cold climate.
Is the coop raised or on the ground?
Pics would help here.

Here's some tips on heights:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

The coop is going to be 18 inches off the ground. Ive got 2 silkie chicks and am thinking if getting a americana pulet a neighbor is selling.

 

[RRM]

Sounds like you have some real peachy neighbors. I’d be burning wet leaves when the wind is moving towards their house just to piss them off!

 

[Malthus]

Sounds like you have some real peachy neighbors. I’d be burning wet leaves when the wind is moving towards their house just to piss them off!

They'd probably call the cops on us again.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Well if you're building a fairly small set up (for just 3) then it's a little easier to work with a shorter coop set up like this, simply because it won't need to be so big or deep (which can make bending and reaching in quite a task!) If you think that the neighbors are likely to vacate in a few years and that maybe you'd like more chickens at that time, then build bigger at that point and keep this smaller set up for isolation, or bantams only, or as a brooder.

 

[Malthus]

Well if you're building a fairly small set up (for just 3) then it's a little easier to work with a shorter coop set up like this, simply because it won't need to be so big or deep (which can make bending and reaching in quite a task!) If you think that the neighbors are likely to vacate in a few years and that maybe you'd like more chickens at that time, then build bigger at that point and keep this smaller set up for isolation, or bantams only, or as a brooder.

That's the plan!