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What she said but I'd also raise it up high enough for a wheelbarrow to fit under so I could put poop chutes in the floor w/ hatches that raised with a pulley and rope system (I have that but I didn't raise the coop quite high enough to fit a wheelbarrow underneath). The holes have predator wire covering them so the litter just falls through into the wheelbarrow once the hatches are raised. Then all you have to do is sweep it into the wheelbarrows underneath and then haul it to the garden or compost heap. The raised coop also puts egg collection (from the outside) at waist level, since nests are about 8 inches off the ground (they are bumped out so nests sit on supports from wall and corbels on the outside). Nest hatches on outside are on rope and pulley too.
The coop is HUGE with plenty of ventilation (some that are operable so I can close them if it gets really cold or windy). I would have another bumpout under the roosts that would run along 1 entire wall that extended halfway out the back wall, covered with a hatch on the outside and one on the inside as well (again on a rope and pulley system since I like to have my hands free) for raising chicks in and introducing new stock (actually have the plans written up and DH will add it this spring). I would have a lower feeder and waterer in the chick area for them and a very large, built in, automatic waterer and feeder that can be filled and cleaned from the outside of the coop (never seem them, would probably have to design and build them myself). The waterer would be automatic since I have the coop plumbed for running water and the feeder would only need to be filled once a week.
I would definitely wire it for electricity with a GFI outlet and a switch too. Switch would operate only one of the outlets of course. Back wall would have a long storage area built in, next to food and water with large doors, on inside and out, that can be closed up tight and locked (again trying to divert other animals including the two legged variety from helping themselves) a shelf above for items you want to have handy that you only need to access when inside the coop (would be too much of a reach from outside the coop).
The raised coop gives the chickens plenty of room to escape the rain and hot sun but I think I would extend the front side (side with entry door, steps and window) with a covered porch since my current coop lacks a good spot for me to drag a chair to so I can sit with my girls and enjoy their antics. I know I can't leave a chair there since it would be covered with poo in no time but maybe I'll have a small shallow storage area added to the side of the chicks area where I can store my comfy, folding chair and maybe I should put two in there so DH could sit too.
Of course this time I'll remember to put a 6-8" rise on the main door and the hen's door so the litter doesn't spill out all the time and I don't have to step over a large sill to go into the coop (porch would be even with the top of the sill and the coop floor would be a step down (only a little since you'll build it up with litter).
Finally I would build 5 or 6 exactly like this so I can have my different breeds separated for breeding season (don't breed now 'cause I can't have roos). Seriously I have much of this already but the really important thing is to keep your babies dry and safe from predators, keep their feed and water clean and fresh, add more ventilation than you think you'll need, natural light and a great place to nest and roost (my roosts are high so I have a ramp for them to use and it works very well!) and hopefully it will make your job a little easier as well.
Let us know how it turns out and post pics!!! Oh, and welcome to BYC!
