Need to make a new coop- 1 level or 2?

[sheeshshe]

Is there a huge benefit to a 2 level coop vs a 1 level coop? I suppose it probably makes the space larger for square feet right? but is it a lot harder to clean? I have 14 chickens, and I am considering possibly 3 more. right now my coop is only 4x4, which is fine for the moment since they're rarely ever in there, but its going to get colder soon and they'll need more space for sure.

I think I'll use pallets. we're completely broke. Any idea what a good outside material would be??

 

[gladahmae]

We put a "loft" in our current coop to help increase the square footage since our ladies will probably be cooped up quite a bit during winter. The problem I'm finding is that the loft area is the only place they hang out when in there, except for in the morning when they walk around the floor and wait to be let out. Maybe pecking order will change some of this, as well as them running out of space since the loft area is only around 8sqft and they're only 15wks right now.

Maybe if you made it 'duplex' style, with half of them having access to the top floor and half of them having access to the bottom floor? But then you would need a divided run......

Check CL for free/cheap exterior materials.....old metal sheds that someone doesn't want anymore, tar paper, leftover siding, and check the cull lumber rack at home depot, lowes etc. They sell imperfect lumber, etc at least 50% off up here. I've found that the Lowes where I'm at re-stocks the cull rack on Saturday night.

 

[sheeshshe]

I refresh the free section of CL multiple times a day, nothing good yet!

that is good to know about the loft area.. I think I'll rethink that one