New Coop Build On Ground or Raised???

[tsmith1499]

Erik, I wanted to go bigger but the wife says that this will aT least slow her down a bit from getting too carried away. At least for now!!

 

[teach1rusl]

Tell your wife that I've kicked myself about a bazillion times for doing a 6x8 rather than an 8x8.

I don't know WHAT I was thinking at the time. Besides the extra space (even with just a small flock the extra space will be appreciated and used), a 6x8 even wastes lumber/materials, since most lumber comes in 8ft or 4x8 sections.
Also, I love my coop (which is not raised), but I HAVE seen mice (well...technically mouse, but I'm sure his buddies were nearby) scurry underneath... So raised does have advantages.

 

[Hawkeye95]

I agree with the others- go 8X8 instead of the smaller. Not only that, but less cutting since your boards come in 8 foot lengths. Why cut them down when it costs the SAME to use them as they are? Oh, and yes, raise your coop. Mine is raised 26 inches- that way it will be easy for me to crawl under there and get to a bird if I need to.

 

[Dutch552]

I had to raise mine in order to have a level floor, then closed off the "crawlspace" with hardware cloth. A couple field mice are inevitable in the country so a couple times a year I'll toss some Hawk cubes under the coop to keep them in check.

 

[tsmith1499]

Okay Dutch, I'll bite, what are Hawk Cubes???

 

[Judy]

http://www.ditchlingcorp.com/index_000093.htm

Hawk cubes are bromadiolone, a relatively safe poison to use around animals who might eat the dead mice. Relatively. They'd have to eat a lot of dead mice to get in trouble. I use it. Just One Bite is another brand. I used to have a link to some good research that talked about how many dead mice a hen would have to eat. It's out there.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Quote:
Thanks! GREAT info! I use bait all the time in the yard, but was wondering what I could use around poultry. Not that the birds would get near it... just similar concerns if they got a mouse. We have little field mice that run around in the yard. And while they are so cute, they are very destructive.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
There has been a discussion on this thread about raised coops. A lot of information and ideas on this thread. Check it out.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=552729

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
Your coop is one of my ABSOLUTE MOST FAVORITE. I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!

Your entire set up is MAGNIFICENT!!! I'm just speechless every time I see it. You have EVERYTHING a person AND chicken could dream off. Well thought out.

I have coop envy and every other envy to have about your coop and set up!!! It is a MASTERPIECE!!!! You did an excellent job!

 

[darkmatter]

Quote:
See my BYC page for pics of my set up. A simple efficient practical low maintenance coop that has been in use a couple decades. I'm with the dirt floor deep litter crowd, and my set up composts in place.