How to anchor supports for elevated coop in cold climate

[Opa]

As a builder and carpenter for about 45 years I have built a lot of decks. I quit using concrete many years ago for securing deck posts. The posts will shrink and leave a void that fills with water. I have found it is much better using a post hole digger to excavate to a depth below the annual frost depth. I place a half brick in the bottom of the hole that the deck post will sit on. Holding the post level and plumb I then back fill with pea gravel. The gravel is self compacting and will hold the post as tightly as concrete. As the post shrinks the gravel will only continue to hold the post tighter. Water drains thru the gravel and the post does eventually wind up wet on the bottom. Another advantage is you can build on it immediately, not having to wait for concrete to cure.

 

[Pop]

Post hole digging-One of the few jobs where you start at the top and work your way down. I agree about Not using concrete.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
If your ground is pretty homogeneous and well-behaved, then I would not personally hesitate to put a 4x8 reach-in coop up on blocks. Although if you want it *that* high up, it will not be so stable in the wind (you can anchor it, and all, but sunk posts would really be safer, unless it's in a very wind-protected area). If you do put it up on blocks, just use extra-thick plywood for the sides, and/or extra diagonal bracing of other sorts too, so that the structure does not flex itself apart if the ground heaves unevenly.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[1newchickontheblock]

Quote:
If your ground is pretty homogeneous and well-behaved, then I would not personally hesitate to put a 4x8 reach-in coop up on blocks. Although if you want it *that* high up, it will not be so stable in the wind (you can anchor it, and all, but sunk posts would really be safer, unless it's in a very wind-protected area). If you do put it up on blocks, just use extra-thick plywood for the sides, and/or extra diagonal bracing of other sorts too, so that the structure does not flex itself apart if the ground heaves unevenly.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

It actually is in a wind protected area - near a shed and on edge of woodsier area. I think it will be fine - i'm considering rebar sunk in, then strapped to the legs for extra anchoring, or those anchors you mentioned...
Thanks so much for your feedback!

Rose