Question about my DIY coop plan

[Canadian Baer]

I am planning on raising chickens for the first time. I have a lot of questions, most of which have been answered by reading the great information you have on your website.

I have noticed most of the coop designs are raised off the ground. I was planning on building mine on the ground with a paving stone floor.

Will I have problems with this idea?

I understand the need to protect from predators, so I plan to bury wire mesh to discourage them.

 

[Kansaseq]

Both of my coops are built on skids, right on the ground. I think a raised coop is probably easier to clean, in some regards. I have to stoop over to clean mine, so if they were raised, would be easier. But if your coops are big/tall enough for you to stand up in, no problem.
Might be tougher to clean out shavings with the pavers, as you will butt up against the edges with a shovel. Aside from that, can't think of anything.
Just make sure to build it on dry ground, as that would make for some cold, wet shavings in bad weather. Please keep us posted and take pics of your coop when it's done

 

[gsim]

One thing about raised coops it that they are easy to enter/exit, even in heavy snow. You can still get the insulation or stop heat loss via deep litter and if desired, fiberglass floor bats under the decking. Not many required for a coop so cost not prohibitive. Another thing that is a plus for raised coop is that the coop's footprint will also double as part of the run regards the amount of space you would allow. Or it could be used for storage of supplies as some do. No doubt it is easier to clean with only a little advance planning on your part. Definitely tho, raise it to where it is not a haven for wayward rodents and predators.

Just some pros on a raised coop in a northern climate.

Take long breaks, short puffs, laugh a lot, and work safely.

Gerry

 

[CityChook]

My coop is on the ground with cement pavers underneath. Floor is braced up on landscape blocks. It's a walk-in style. No problems.
I know that up North, having a raised floor makes it colder. But if you use adequate bedding and/or insulation on the floor, it shouldn't be much of a problem. And gsim's right - the space under the coop can then be used for additional run.
If I had a small coop on the ground this winter, it would be sub-terrain by now. I haven't seen the ground since early November.

 

[valentinebaby]

My coop is raised and I really like it that way. Plus the girls hang out there in rainy weather or if they get scared by something if I haven't let them out to free-range. You can see my design (early pics) on my BYC page.

 

[joerobscatfarm]

I think a lot of design considerations depend on your situation. For us, we only have a few hens and we are in a semi-suburban area. Also, we border a state wildlife preserve and have lots of deer, foxes, opossums, raccoons, hawks, etc....

I looked a lots of designs and tried to identify which aspects of each I liked best. Then I spent a time drawing out various hybrid plans. My final idea can be seen on my page. I raised mine 18 inches, to give more room underneath for rain protection. For my hens, that is the best feature - espcially with the recordbreaking snow we have just had. The coop is basically 4X8 with a large door for access on the side, and a hinged door in the front for cleaning access, and to give them a big open space to jump in/out in fair weather. I have two windows in the front, with plexi-glass sliding windows to control ventilation. Also, I have a removeable egg laying box (2 boxes) on the opposite wallwith another small access door. This spring, I want to build out the boxes on that side, to allow more room inside (if a add more hens).

Again, there are many many many designs and variation. Just start building!

For mine, many parts were recycled wood and bits...so the cost was under $200. My biggest expense was the wire fencing.

Best of luck with your new endeavor!

 

[catdaddy66]

My tractor is near the ground (<6") but a lot of people raise the coop for a number of reasons. It also gives the birds a covered area out of wet weather. You can also hang feeders/waterers underneath. It keeps rats and other predators from hiding under it as well. Mine is a mobile tractor so every 2-3 days it will move to give the girls some new foraging areas to exploit. I guess it depends on your preference, but I know a hard floor is best for protection of the flock!