Does the Bottom of the Coop Need to be "on" the Ground?

[OrpingtonManor]

I have a raised floor coop and a run next to the coop.

I chose a raised floor coop to manage pests and predators, and make cleaning easy. I used a sheet vinyl floor which I cover in shavings. So far, nothing has gotten in. It is also dry during the rainy season.

My run allows them daytime access to the ground, the sun/shade, and a breeze. I can lock the pop door at night, so predators who might access the run can't get into the coop.

I agree with the person who said chickens need to scratch in the dirt. They also need to dust bathe. It helps them control parasites like lice and mites. They need to be able to dig in real dirt. While I'm no chicken shrink, I think they would go crazy if they couldn't scrub around in the dirt, and scratch for bugs. It's just who they are.

Will having your run underneath your coop still allow an area for your chickens to get out in the sun? They need both sun and shade.

Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Suziers]

My run is underneath (and next to my coop). We use the ground as the run flooring.

I would prefer a solid bottom on the coop as it will help with temperature and protection, as well as cleaning. I think scooping out bedding is much easier than trying to clean off screen or wire mesh.

Send pics with what you decide to do.

 

[Judy]

Also, consider that the usual recommendation here is 4 sq ft per bird in the coop or house, and 10 in the run. And do see these as minimums, please. If the run is entirely under the coop, the square footage would be the same. If you have cold snowy winters, there will likely be days they don't go out, and in that case they will do much better in a much larger cop than 4' per bird.

There are many, many coop and run designs on here.

 

[muddstopper]

I thought I would post a few pics of one of my raised coop designs just to show How I do it. This is actually a chicken tractor that will be mounted on wheels for easy moveability. Its not yet completed The coop measures 6ftX10ft for 120sqft total of coop&run. I plan on 7hens and a roo.

edit, I guess it would help to attach the pics.

the window on the end will be coverd in wire mesh and have a plexiglass door that can be opend and closed depending on the weather, as will all window in the doors.

Pics of nest boxes accessible from outside.

And the chicken access hole in the floor

which will have a ramp similar to the one in this pic, except it will be under the coop

And one more pic of my smaller 4x12 tractors