Foundation ?

[tpantali]

We built our first coop up off the ground. So it is anywhere from 1-2 1/2' off the ground. The thing I really like about this is that the chickens go underneath it. They hide under there frequently when it rains and when the sun is too hot for them! We will be building another coop soon as we will be moving and we are going to build it up off the ground as we did the first one.

 

[chickensista]

Hi everyone,
Thank you so much for all the replies!

Corey NC - the pic really helps. And thankfully I won't need as many blocks as I thought. I think I will put a couple in the middle though. The floor won't droop if I put on a few pounds!

And, two is that depending on where you live if your soils move at all your floor and/or walls could crack in the future from not having cement piers buried in the ground. That is a huge issue here in Colorado but in other areas of the country you never have to think about it. Just make sure you check if you have expansive soils where you live.

The very best floor, IMO, is a solid cement pad but that's more expensive than most of us can afford so we use a good, solid wood floor. I would also recommend covering the wood with lino to help make cleaning easier.

I'm so excited for you that you can have chickens! Hip, hip, horray!!

Chirpy,
I already have the chickens! The obsession started last spring. I bought the henspa thinking it would be perfect, but its turned out not to be for a number of reasons. The least of which I want more chickens then it can hold!
I'm in Zone 6 with a clay/rock mix. Hoping I don't have huge problems as far as cracking! I am going to look into the lino for the floor. I'll be insulating, and figuring out roosts and nest boxes as well. May as well do it all at once.

When you build your framework for your floor you could put it on 4x4 skids longways to stiffen it up and then put your blocks under the 4x4's .I have an 8'x8' coop and they work great.I even cut an angle on them so I can move the whole coop around with my tractor.Check out "my page"under portable coops and it's at the bottom of the page. The henhouse in the picture really should be higher than I had it when I took the picture.I think it was 1 block high with pieces of wood to level but I think 2 block high is better. good luck will

Will, great site! Your girls are adorable, BTW. Love the yellow boots!
I'm ordering a shed kit, but I think I could add the skids? I'll have to look into it. All your coops look great. I would love to get broilers, but my husband thinks our remaining grass area should be for people. We'll see about that!

Thanks again! Blocks it is.
Terry​

 

[chickensista]

We're putting in concrete block all the way around ours. Of course, that's only because we happened to have them lying around. I'm not sure what it would cost to buy them. I do think it will help keep the rodents out plus make the whole coop last longer by preventing rot

Christine,
Those pics were really helpful! Maybe I can find some blocks on freecycle and cut my costs!

So it is anywhere from 1-2 1/2' off the ground. The thing I really like about this is that the chickens go underneath it. They hide under there frequently when it rains and when the sun is too hot for them!

tpantali, That makes total sense. An extra 80sq ft of run. How much clearance do you think they need to get under the coop? And did you ever find that they wanted to nest under the coop? I really don't want to go crawling around for the eggs!

Thanks for all the ideas!
Terry​

 

[pasta514]

Quote:
The geometry of that coop along with the fact the the horizon is not level made me LOL when I read your statement that the floor is level. It's looks anything but level in that pic.!

 

[Corey NC]

I guess that pic is a little funky but the floor is level but the walls aren't.

 

[OurLittleFarm]

Our coop is supported by 4 X 4 posts that are cemented in. Its on a hill so its higher off the ground at one end than the other. The fencing goes around the coop so we haven't had any trouble with predators. and they really like laying and dust bathing under the coop in the summer. It's much cooler under there.

 

[LynneP]

We're lucky because the barn where we're installing the coop has a concrete foundation (see link below).
You could also consider laying 1/2" galvanized mason wire under your planks as a rodent barrier. It would have to be fastened in such a way that they can't come up under an edge/corner. We're insulating for cold winters- is that an issue for you, too? (guessing yes). If so some ideas in the hp below. Having a few cats will also help with rodent control.

 

[chickensista]

Quote:
LynnP,
I checked out ur pages - everything looks great! I do have a question on the vapor barrier. What exactly is that for? After the vapor barrier, you covered it all with particle board or something? I've never constructed anything so this is all new.
Thanks!
Terry