Foundation of Coop

[spikesowner]

If hubhy is up to it we are starting our coop. We are building it in an area where there is nothing but rock grass will not grow here. Should we lay wire on the bottom or just cinderblock or cement to frame in the bottom? Yes this is our first coop....

 

[BuffOrpington88]

If you could use cement or cinderblock on the entire floor of the coop, that would ensure safety from predators and ease of cleanup.

 

[spikesowner]

Is it ok to cement the entire coop run? What about drainage? Is it ok for their feet?

 

[WI FarmChick]

Is it ok to cement the entire coop run? Some have done that. I don't know because mine is dirt.
What about drainage? You could build it with a slop to it, so it would drain away from your run and coop.
Is it ok for their feet? You could add free bedding on top. Like your grass clippings from mowing. fall leaves....etc. That should I think help with keeping the poop from building up and making it slick on the surface of the cement.

This is what we did...we built ours on posts up off the ground about 2.5', This way they will be able to go under the coop for more run area. This will give them a "no snow" area in the winter also. (We will block off 3 sides) Then our floor/building was constructed in the regular fashion. We just put our girls inside for the first time this morning. Another reason we raised ours is so no rats or animals will make it into their living quarters.

 

[spikesowner]

We are planning on making the coop two feet off the ground...now we are thinking of putting the coop on part of an old gravel road that the previous owners had put in. Is that ok if I use that with cinder blocks around base of frame then an inch or two of more gravel then sand?

 

[WI FarmChick]

Why are you wanting to have your run on grave or concrete?

Every ones situation is different. Me personally.... I wouldn't add the extra costs of using concrete or gravel.

I prefer mine to be on dirt. That's just me. you can use anything you want.

Concrete or dirt.....Each one has it's own advantages and disadvantages.

 

[spikesowner]

More for security since I live in the mountains on 33 acres along state land where we have black bear possum coon etc oh fox red and grey I don't want to be unprepared snd find out I did it wrong and lise a bird or even all.

 

[jeepguy982001]

Might be more effective if you put a few stands of electric fence on the outside of your run.

 

[spikesowner]

I have dogs they might get zapped.

 

[jeepguy982001]

They might get zapped once but after that they'll leave it alone. Plus hot wire is about the only thing to deter a bear. I've heard some stories of them ripping the coop to pieces to get at the chickens. You can also bend some hardware cloth in a L and attach it to the bottom of your run with half laying on the ground. That'll keep allot of things from digging under your run.