Earthen Coops / Coops that are partially built into the earth?

[Folly's place]

I think there was one pictured in Alaska.?.
Mary

 

[JDN]

Good point on the ventilation. Not sure how I'd be able to provide that sufficiently with something built into the earth, at least without it being an engineering nightmare, which is not what I'm looking to involve myself in at this point!

The green roof on my current one is not green yet, but it's a pretty typical coop below the roof, with lots of places below the green roof that vent quite adequately. The coop is up off the ground and catches plenty of breeze.

It would be easy, just make the door hardware cloth .

 

[archeryrob]

Explain this "green" roof in New Jersey. The East coast has been hammer with rain the past two years and sodden roofs are normally done is dry areas. Imagine 4" of dirt, just in weight, then add waterlogging that dirt, freezing it and adding snow load on top. You're going to need logs for trusses. Plus you better have a good solid membrane between the dirt and the roof or that's going to rot quick.

If you got the go green itch, recycle, grow more trees or similar, IMO. I think it will be a lot of work for very little green space. Grow a grape vine over the coop. It will keep it cooler in the summer.

 

[aart]

Explain this "green" roof in New Jersey. The East coast has been hammer with rain the past two years and sodden roofs are normally done is dry areas. Imagine 4" of dirt, just in weight, then add waterlogging that dirt, freezing it and adding snow load on top. You're going to need logs for trusses. Plus you better have a good solid membrane between the dirt and the roof or that's going to rot quick.

If you got the go green itch, recycle, grow more trees or similar, IMO. I think it will be a lot of work for very little green space. Grow a grape vine over the coop. It will keep it cooler in the summer.

Some valid points here^^^

But I am looking forward to seeing what @Thaney Design comes up with for a green roof.
Hoping there is construction pics as well as the finished and planted roof.

 

[BantyChooks]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/oblio13s-underground-chicken-coop.47864/
I liked this model.

I personally think that a partially underground chicken coop sounds like a great idea. For those of us far enough north that temperatures, not ventilation, pose an issue, I think it might take the edge off of things. My walls are solid until about torso height already, and one side has no windows at all... why not bury that bit in the ground?

 

[aart]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/oblio13s-underground-chicken-coop.47864/
I liked this model.

I personally think that a partially underground chicken coop sounds like a great idea. For those of us far enough north that temperatures, not ventilation, pose an issue, I think it might take the edge off of things. My walls are solid until about torso height already, and one side has no windows at all... why not bury that bit in the ground?

Interesting....wonder how it worked out long term?
Where coop is located, more details on construction, operation, etc.
All my usual plethora of questions
Another big issue, with entire floor under ground could be water infiltration and nowhere for it to go.

 

[ValerieJ]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/oblio13s-underground-chicken-coop.47864/
I liked this model.

I personally think that a partially underground chicken coop sounds like a great idea. For those of us far enough north that temperatures, not ventilation, pose an issue, I think it might take the edge off of things. My walls are solid until about torso height already, and one side has no windows at all... why not bury that bit in the ground?

I love that model. A partially underground coop is such a good idea. I might need to consider this for the one we're building next year. As a bonus I'll have time for contemplation and creativity over the winter.

 

[BantyChooks]

Interesting....wonder how it worked out long term?
Where coop is located, more details on construction, operation, etc.
All my usual plethora of questions
Another big issue, with entire floor under ground could be water infiltration and nowhere for it to go.

All very good questions, and ones I'd like to know too.
Water drainage would definitely be something to consider. Perhaps a composting deep litter would work in summer? Shavings could be put on top when it freezes solid in winter; they could either be shovelled out or mixed in come springtime.

 

[Folly's place]

oblio13 seems to have stopped posting after that article in 2012. Anyone?
Mary

 

[aart]

All very good questions, and ones I'd like to know too.
Water drainage would definitely be something to consider. Perhaps a composting deep litter would work in summer? Shavings could be put on top when it freezes solid in winter; they could either be shovelled out or mixed in come springtime.

oblio13 seems to have stopped posting after that article in 2012. Anyone?
Mary

Did some more digging.

Here's their last post in their build thread,
haven't read the whole thread yet, maybe some questions answered within.

Quote:
Wow, a thread that rose from the dead.
It's been working out really well. The waterer never froze all winter, and on the few very hot days we just had, it was comfortably cool. This spring I forked all the bedding out and then up onto the roof, and I planted beans, tomatoes and watermelons up there.