Coop up off the ground?

[dawnh31]

Hi everyone, I'm new here. My chickens (2 of them) are living in a dog crate right now and I need to build them a coop. Thanks to an unfortunate event that caused us to cancel our Walt Disney World trip this year, we have some extra money and time to do it. I've been reading and looking at the coop designs and it seems most of them are about 2 feet off the ground. Is there a reason for this? If they were all that way, I'd be sure there was some reason and I'd just do it, but it seems many of them are ground level. Can someone tell me why a good portion of them are built that way? Sorry if this is covered elsewhere, I've tried to find a reference to it and haven't seen one yet.

Thanks,

Dawn

 

[kmwright]

I'm not sure if there is a reason, but I did it because 1.) It's more predator-proof and 2.) my chickens (all chickens, that is) like to be up as high as possible so being up off the ground is good for them.

My friend/neighbor has his on the ground, and the chickens are constantly trying to get out and perch on top.

 

[bluie]

I put mine off the ground because space was limited and it was a way to double up on usable space. Also a big plus is that they have a guaranteed shady spot in the summer. Also no rats/mice can hide underneath.

 

[grandmaof5]

Mine is 2 feet up because the extra space under there is part of their run, without making the completed footprint that much larger. It is also that tall because if I need to, I can use a rake to 'fluff up' the sand. Rodents and other critters like dark hidey-spots and I didn't want to provide one for them.

 

[Cowgirl71]

I have a coop that is up off the ground and one that is on the ground with a mesh floor. I prefer the one on the ground because it's cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. I'm also able to do the "deep composting method," which I'm unable to do with the other coop because it would rot the wooden floor.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[arcatamarcia]

Mine is 3 feet off the ground. I use the area underneath for storage for feed, bedding, etc.

 

[Darlasmum]

Mine is also 3ft up- w/ storage space underneath. The eggs are easy to reach, and clean up is a breeze. The storage area holds my feed, xtra feeders and pine shavings. I think they are warmer in the winter up off the floor.

 

[AtholCoop]

Mine are all elevated for two reasons. The first being that it's much easier for me to clean if the muck cart fits just under the coop, the second is snow. Having the coop 3' or so off the ground just means one less thing I have to shovel out every time it snows.

 

[kla37]

We put ours off the ground to make more room for run space underneath, and I think they like going "up to roost."

 

[AnnainMD]

1. Easier to clean (sweep shavings into waiting wheelbarrow).
2. Prevents rodents by eliminating hiding areas.
3. Provides a guaranteed shady spot when it's hot/sunny (chickens have poor heat tolerance).
4. Provides a guaranteed dry area in the run for dust bathing and general chicken activity when it's raining.
5. Floor stays nice and dry when it's raining.