Looking for design advice

[CaitlinS]

Hello!

I'm starting to make plans for a chicken coop I'm going to build, but my town has strict limitations on the coop/run size. The code reads as follows: "Chicken coops may not be larger than 20 square feet, and runs may not be larger than 20 square feet. Coops and runs may not exceed 48 inches in height."

My plan is to (if this is acceptable to the building inspector) design an elevated coop where the space underneath can be used by the chickens as part of the run. My problem is, with the 48" height limitation, I'm having a hard time deciding what the heights should be. What would you guys recommend? Would an 18" run under a 26" average coop height be ok (after factoring in the floor, roof, minimum roof pitch, etc... )? Would you sacrifice one in favor of the other, and why?
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Coop ~26"
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Run ~18"
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Additional info: For the sake of space efficiency, the coop and run will probably just be (2) 4x5 rectangles next to each other. I will be housing 4 hens, which I plan to allow to free range, supervised, in a 1000sf corner of the yard at least an hour or two most days (I work at home). Is this enough to help make up for the small run? I'll be getting a buff orpington, black australorp, silver laced wyandotte and a gold laced as well, if the breeds help to inform sizing/spacing. I'll also be building a pvc waterer/feeder to help free up more space in the run.

Thanks for all the help you can give this chicken newbie and sorry for the long post!

 

[nminusyplusm]

Welcome to BYC! With a 4' maximum height you don't have enough room to do an elevated coop over the run and maintain adequate ventilation. Also a 20 sq ft run limits you to 2 chickens.

 

[bluejeans]

Dig down the height will be the same! They do nt care about the depth do they? Just make sides so rain wont drain in you can build up around sides with the dirt you take out mix grass seed in with it.

 

[nminusyplusm]

Dig down the height will be the same! They do nt care about the depth do they? Just make sides so rain wont drain in you can build up around sides with the dirt you take out mix grass seed in with it.

Great idea!

 

[bluejeans]

For basement sides 4by4by 16 block is easy to use liquid nails is easier to use than mixing cement and stronger .if you want you can use treated 2by4 lumber in ground and up through blocks to nail above ground section on . just some ideas.

 

[bluejeans]

Correction 4x8x16 block rather than the 8x8x16 block

 

[CaitlinS]

Great ideas, thank you! I was thinking about digging, but I was on the fence about it because I'm not sure if I'll want to be able to move the coop around at all... it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make though! Thanks for the tip on ventilation too, regardless of what I do, I'm going to be sure to ventilate it well... I'm glad that was mentioned. I'll also add that I am in upstate NY, and heat shouldn't be a problem, just the moisture.

 

[bluejeans]

Great idea!

Dug outs are common here not so much other places. Lots of newly weds during and right after dust bowl years built dugs outs around Pietown and Quemado new mexico to live in. They had to build something strong and quick before winter set in. So they went 3 to 4 logs up and dug out the rest with a roof and door and narrow windows they was done.

 

[bluejeans]

I For got to mention the stove pipe

 

[bluejeans]

If you go to wikipedia on pie town new mexico the first picture is a 1940 dug out.