For those with a raised coop and attached run......

[will hunt for food]

I want to utilize the space under the coop as more run space. I am thinking about having 18" from the ground to the coop floor. Because I am using 2x6 bands to frame the bottom out, the birds will actually have a 12.5" opening to enter under the 18" space (since a 2x6 is actually 5.5" wide: 18" - 5.5" = 12.5").

Will they be hesitant to go under the coop?

 

[happyhensny]

Don't think so. When it is hot out and the dirt under there is nice and cool and hopefully dry they will love it! Dust baths are so cute!

 

[cmom]

Both of my coops are on the ground. My next coop will be raised. There are pics on my BYC Page

 

[franko]

Great Pics. Thank you for giving us a look. Wonderful. franko

 

[Terri]

will the hens lay under there?

 

[Mahonri]

The only thing I dislike about space under the coop is access. You need to be able to get all the way under there if they are.

 

[CarlaRiggs]

I've got a playhouse coop which is 4' x 4'; the space under the coop isn't large. It's about 2 feet high, and the hens enjoy going into it from their attached run. They dust bathe and scratch about in the area, but no one lays eggs. To clean the ground, I can easily use a metal rake or hoe to pull anything into the run and shovel from there.

Carla

 

[AnnesChicks]

We raised ours and I am glad we did. The first night one of the girls fell asleep in a corner underneath, I got a rake an gently pulled her to me. That is the one and only time, after that they all go to bed in the coop. Our run is not covered and because it is still wet and rainy here I am glad they have a place to get out of the weather. I also put a tub of playsand with DE for a dust bath underneath where is stays dry, and they started using that the first day.

An unexpected bonus was it is much easier on the back to refill food/water. I also found out I can park the wheelbarrow next to the door and quickly rake all the litter into it. Couldn't be easier!

 

[will hunt for food]

Will 12.5" be enough headspace to enter?

 

[bigmike&nan]

Quote:
Our first coop has a protected run area and part is under the coop, but it is 24 inches tall... Think about how tall your birds are when standing, we have bantam cochins and 24 inches is just right, though from experience watching them while out free ranging they like to really stand up and stretch as it were. I'd consider at least 30 inches of elevation, just a thought...
Here you see a couple of wyandottes hanging out, for them it was a tad low if you ask me...