Coop Prep

[CaliCoopin]

Does my coop need to be resting on a cement rectangular footing or can it rest on the dirt/ground? Planing on a 4x12 or 4x15 footprint for a Carolina Coop / Cali Coop.

Thank you BYC!

 

[Ridgeback825]

I used their design as inspiration on my diy coop and placed it on a cinder block footer frame. It was a big pita to get them dug in and leveled but the coop sat right on, our city requires movable coops, with no issues. It even rode out hurricane Ian without moving and is 4x8. It also offers predator and rodent protection as well.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.

If you have an area subject to a good deal of frost heave you'll want a sound foundation so that your coop doesn't shift and settle.

If you have very soft soil you'll also want to take care to set your coop solidly so it doesn't settle.

Settling is to be avoided because it will cause doors and windows to jam and *could* create openings in your anti-predator perimeter.

If you have a lot of wood-destroying insects you'll want concrete to keep wood clear of the ground and/or to use ground-contact-rated treated wood.

If none of these factors are a major issue for you then you could set your coop wood directly on the ground, maybe laying sturdier beams down to establish a level base to work from.

How are wooden sheds normally set up in your area? That's often a good guide for chicken coops in the region.

 

[CaliCoopin]

I used their design as inspiration on my diy coop and placed it on a cinder block footer frame. It was a big pita to get them dug in and leveled but the coop sat right on, our city requires movable coops, with no issues. It even rode out hurricane Ian without moving and is 4x8. It also offers predator and rodent protection as well. View attachment 3433557

Wow, looks great! Thanks for the feed back. So you lined the cinder blocks in a rectangular shape. Then placed the coop frame on top of the cinder blocks?

 

[Ridgeback825]

Wow, looks great! Thanks for the feed back. So you lined the cinder blocks in a rectangular shape. Then placed the coop frame on top of the cinder blocks?

Yup. No straps or cement but we still did a predator skirt as overkill. 95 mph winds and it didn't move an inch. I'm kinda proud of myself.

 

[neo71665]

Mine is on dirt with an apron around it.

 

[Krugerrand]

I used their design as inspiration on my diy coop and placed it on a cinder block footer frame. It was a big pita to get them dug in and leveled but the coop sat right on, our city requires movable coops, with no issues. It even rode out hurricane Ian without moving and is 4x8. It also offers predator and rodent protection as well. View attachment 3433557

I like the trellis! What do you plant on it?

 

[Ridgeback825]

I like the trellis! What do you plant on it?

That bed is for the chickens. We have marigolds, watermelon, okra and any other misfits.

 

[CaliCoopin]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.

If you have an area subject to a good deal of frost heave you'll want a sound foundation so that your coop doesn't shift and settle.

If you have very soft soil you'll also want to take care to set your coop solidly so it doesn't settle.

Settling is to be avoided because it will cause doors and windows to jam and *could* create openings in your anti-predator perimeter.

If you have a lot of wood-destroying insects you'll want concrete to keep wood clear of the ground and/or to use ground-contact-rated treated wood.

If none of these factors are a major issue for you then you could set your coop wood directly on the ground, maybe laying sturdier beams down to establish a level base to work from.

How are wooden sheds normally set up in your area? That's often a good guide for chicken coops in the region.

Luckily my soil is firm and no sagging or too much rain since I’m in Southern California. I will look into the wood destroying insects. And I have a shed that’s built on a cement slab and I’ve learned so far that cement is not the way to go. I like that idea sturdy beams. I’ll use a “nice sized treated” beam to start out.

 

[3KillerBs]

Luckily my soil is firm and no sagging or too much rain since I’m in Southern California. I will look into the wood destroying insects. And I have a shed that’s built on a cement slab and I’ve learned so far that cement is not the way to go. I like that idea sturdy beams. I’ll use a “nice sized treated” beam to start out.

Sounds good. Just get things nice and level and you should be golden.