Off the ground coop or walk in coop?

[CKfarm22]

Something to consider then, because I've seen some folks plan pretty large elevated coops... until they realize they could be stuck crawling through poop and mud to reach an injured or broody bird hiding under the coop, as there's no easy way to reach under a coop 10' in or more.

I actually didn’t think about that, so maybe for the size i want, a walk in would be easier?

 

[Aunt Angus]

I strongly recommend walk in. In mine, I was able to add loft storage for things like extra bedding, extra pdz, oyster shells, broody crates, etc. I also have room for a brooder or an isolation pen. Love it! It's easy to clean, too.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I actually didn’t think about that, so maybe for the size i want, a walk in would be easier?

Anything on the "larger" side I would do as a walk in, if nothing else because of the access issue I previously mentioned.

Really the only reason to elevate would be cost, if that's a major factor, as obviously a taller structure takes up more materials. Like my coop is around 9.5'-10' tall at the peak, so more walls, more wood.

 

[CKfarm22]

Anything on the "larger" side I would do as a walk in, if nothing else because of the access issue I previously mentioned.

Really the only reason to elevate would be cost, if that's a major factor, as obviously a taller structure takes up more materials. Like my coop is around 9.5'-10' tall at the peak, so more walls, more wood.

How do you clean your walk in coop?

 

[CKfarm22]

I strongly recommend walk in. In mine, I was able to add loft storage for things like extra bedding, extra pdz, oyster shells, broody crates, etc. I also have room for a brooder or an isolation pen. Love it! It's easy to clean, too.

Could you post pictures?

 

[rosemarythyme]

How do you clean your walk in coop?

I spot clean under the roosts daily (poop goes to my compost bin) and do a full cleanout once a year.

Full cleanout for me means leafblowing all the dust and cobwebs off the walls and surfaces, then raking/sweeping all bedding out (I do deep litter in the run, so I rake the used litter right out the human door into the run and the chickens help distribute it from there), then replenishing with new bedding.

 

[CKfarm22]

I spot clean under the roosts daily (poop goes to my compost bin) and do a full cleanout once a year.

Full cleanout for me means leafblowing all the dust and cobwebs off the walls and surfaces, then raking/sweeping all bedding out (I do deep litter in the run, so I rake the used litter right out the human door into the run and the chickens help distribute it from there), then replenishing with new bedding.

Would you be able to posts some pictures?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Could you post pictures?

Sure! I'll have to get some tomorrow. All I did was convert an 8x8 shed. I put a roost along one wall with a poop board underneath and nest boxes on the other side. My roosts are low now because my big girls were having issues with foot injuries, but it used to be 3 ft up with even more storage underneath. For the loft storage, I just put an old 2x10 across the back wall right where the walls meet the roof. Nothing special at all.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Would you be able to posts some pictures?

My coop page is here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-song-music-factory.74019/

 

[CKfarm22]

Sure! I'll have to get some tomorrow. All I did was convert an 8x8 shed. I put a roost along one wall with a poop board underneath and nest boxes on the other side. My roosts are low now because my big girls were having issues with foot injuries, but it used to be 3 ft up with even more storage underneath. For the loft storage, I just put an old 2x10 across the back wall right where the walls meet the roof. Nothing special at all.

We were thinking about converting a shed too, but we like building so i think we’re going to build all of it instead!