Maximum coop elevation

[moonthief]

I'm thinking about building a coop on a platform 4 to 6 feet off the ground with climb resistant posts and no ramp as a method of providing a safe place from predators. From what I've read chickens have no problem flying up to roosts much higher then this. I intend for the chickens to have free range of the yard with the hope that they will curb the tick population while also producing eggs. I live in a fairly wooded area in the northeast. I would appreciate thoughts on this plan and suggestions on which varieties of chickens would do best for this. Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

Have you thought about predators being able to climb the legs of the platform?

 

[3KillerBs]

In the northeast US you have raccoons and they are very proficient climbers.

I would think that putting your coop up that high would make it difficult for you to tend to your birds?

Maybe consider electric fence as an option?

 

[RojoMarz]

May need to take into consideration what birds you get, if that high. I doubt my BO and LB's could make it into the coop on a regular basis.

 

[NatJ]

I'm thinking about building a coop on a platform 4 to 6 feet off the ground with climb resistant posts and no ramp as a method of providing a safe place from predators. From what I've read chickens have no problem flying up to roosts much higher then this. I intend for the chickens to have free range of the yard with the hope that they will curb the tick population while also producing eggs. I live in a fairly wooded area in the northeast. I would appreciate thoughts on this plan and suggestions on which varieties of chickens would do best for this. Thanks!

You mention being in a wooded area--something like a raccoon might be able to climb a tree, then jump down onto the top of the coop. So watch where you put the coop relative to the trees.

Please do let us know how it works. I've considered a similar idea myself, but so far I haven't tried it.

 

[NatJ]

This may be obvious, but don't expect them to fly through a small entrance.
Give them a nice porch or bar or something to land on, then they can walk through the door.

Or else skip the floor of the coop and maybe some of the walls, and just build it as a roof and roosts, supported by your climb-proof posts. That way they could fly up from any point and land on the roosts. Depending on the weather, they might be just as happy without solid walls and a solid floor.

 

[janiedoe]

Google :
A rat can jump 4'. A domestic cat can jump around 5'. A bobcat can jump 6' or more.
I'd be terrified! I'd fall off that ladder when I found the rat in the coop.

 

[Stephanie8806]

Have you considered just making the coop secure and letting the chickens out to free range? If you got an automatic door, you wouldn’t have to close it up each night either or open it on the mornings. Chickens are vulnerable at night, but during the day they’re able to spread out, hide in undergrowth, and stay alert. Occasional losses can certainly happen while free ranging, but having a secure coop can prevent a predator annihilating your flock while they sleep. And if you’re not building a run because of free ranging, a solid wooden coop is fairly easy to make “predator proof”

 

[Stephanie8806]

I really think the maintenance part of it is going to be the downfall. Are you really able and willing to regularly lug up loads of bedding? Going up there daily in all sorts of weather to clean out, bring up food, fetch eggs?

Then again, I'm afraid of heights and struggle to even use a step ladder, so...

Man, I’m comfortable on a ladder but I wouldn’t want to wrestle my 40# bags of pine pellets up one! Not to mention shoveling and scooping it out!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Man, I’m comfortable on a ladder but I wouldn’t want to wrestle my 40# bags of pine pellets up one! Not to mention shoveling and scooping it out!

Shoveling out would be the easier part... just shove it out the door. But I put in about 5 yardcarts of wood chips into my coop twice a year, and have no idea how I'd get all that into the coop if it was elevated 6' up.