How do I level the ground for my coop?

[Shmemums]

I need to make this level. It is off by a few inches. How do I do it in the most simple way?

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC! Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.

What kind of coop are you building?

 

[Shmemums]

Welcome to BYC! Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.

What kind of coop are you building?

I'm in central valley CA. Here is the stock picture of the coop I bought

 

[3KillerBs]

OK, so it's got a frame all the way around the bottom then?

That's one of the easier situations to work with since you don't have to worry about frost heaving in your climate.

You dig a shallow trench to get down to a level ground surface than put down blocks to create a level foundation for the frame to sit on. I recommend that you install a wire anti-dig apron 18-24" wide before you put the coop down so that the apron is securely under the coop frame without leaving any gaps.

If you're worried about the coop shifting off the blocks due to storm winds, tectonic activity, or distracted kids slamming into it while playing ball you can get advice about fastening the wood frame to the blocks at your local home improvement store. (My husband knows how but I don't know how to explain it).

 

[Shmemums]

What can dig under it? My backyard is fenced in so we just get cats sometimes jumping in but then my little dog runs them off.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm not sure what predators you have in your area but there will certainly be rats and some member of the weasel family. Do you have racoons? Coyotes? Stray dogs that ever get over or through fences?

 

[Shmemums]

I'm not sure what predators you have in your area but there will certainly be rats and some member of the weasel family. Do you have racoons? Coyotes? Stray dogs that ever get over or through fences?

I've only seen hawks, occasional snakes, gophers, and the neighbors across the street has rats because of his kind of gross animal area that has chickens and peacocks and stuff. Behind my fence there is a bit of a dusty field where wild rabbits are. That's all I can think of

 

[3KillerBs]

I've only seen hawks, occasional snakes, gophers, and the neighbors across the street has rats because of his kind of gross animal area that has chickens and peacocks and stuff. Behind my fence there is a bit of a dusty field where wild rabbits are. That's all I can think of

You would probably be surprised what would show up on a game camera.

Especially once you have chickens to attract them.

I was completely shocked to learn that my area has not one but two kinds of weasels in abundance though I've never seen a weasel in my life.

 

[3KillerBs]

P.S. Snakes rarely attack adult chickens, but they will take chicks and eggs.

The adult chickens will eat the small snakes though -- turn about being fair play.

 

[Shmemums]

ok so could I dig up a bigger square, take out the dirt, level the area, then lay down hardware cloth bigger than the coop will be then load all the dirt back in, and lastly build the coop on top? How would the apron part work if I did it like this?