Raised coop as opposed to on grade

[mountain gma]

Hi everyone, I see photos of some raised coops and some placed firmly on the ground. What's the difference? My half baked coop got my chickens (what's left of them) through a pretty cold winter (well, for NC). We made a frame of PVC, covered it with 2" chicken wire and then tied a huge tarp over the entire deal. Not pretty or cute by any means but the chickens called in home. I need to move their home and reduce their range so the predators on the mountain can't get to them. Any answers to my question above will be sooooo appreciated. I've learned that my first "great" ideas on any subject are usually a bust. My first 25 chickens, now six, are a prime example. I have to start over. Thanks in advance.

 

[Zahboo]

I am fixing to build a raised coop. My reason is our yard floods like crazy! I live in Hope Mills, NC and the way our yard is and how we have a swamp thing, a field and low elevation, any rain sticks around for 3-4 days regardless. A raised coop slows it rotting. I can put cinderblocks and the coop won't got water rot. It's also safer against predators that burrow. Some want to just reach in the coop. Others may not want grass stained by lack of light.

 

[consdrs]

My coop is raised off the ground just to keep critters from hiding out under it. my uncle has a family of skunks that think under his hen house is home, YUCK!!! That and it gives the hens somewhere to hang out when it's really hot out. A lot of people have theirs raised because they can't "walk in" and want it at a decent height for cleaning and what not.

by the sounds of it you need to get those birds contained!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

mine is flat on the ground. I'm outside of Charlotte. It's been up for 2 years now with no problems. All made of scraps. Not pretty by any means, lol.

I packed it with a few bales of straw this winter because it was so cold. All of them have made it so far with no problems. Half dozen or so eggs a day from 10 hens

 

[patandchickens]

On the ground is warmer in a super cold climate, and in some circumstances cooler in the summer. On the ground is also harder to predator-proof, and more prone to flooding if you get that sort of thing. But, cheaper, at least unless you have to spend a buncha money on concrete or buried cinderblocks or something to predatorproof it.

I don't think there is a general 'right' answer. Most people, it's sort of whatever they think looks best or seems easiest to build

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[mmtillman]

Good post ....as I read these...WE just realized we will need to install a wire guard around the perimeter of our new coop !!

....as there is just enough room, about 8 inches, for a

coon or possum, to take up residence, under our new building!!!

We lost our first flock to a coon or fox....so I am glad someone made me aware of this.....Soooo, now I gotta go out and get my shovel and start digging a trench , while the ground is nice and ......

muddy....

Thanks for the tip....!! I learn something new on here EVERY day!!

 

[waynesgarden]

For me , it was easier to raise the coop on PT posts than to level off the hillside in the only spot I could locate the coop.

Even on flat land, I think I'd do it the same way.

Wayne

 

[waynesgarden]

{ removed. Duplicate post. }

 

[HappyHatch'en]

As you can see I don't have flat land and have heard that pver time a chicken can pack the dirt as hard as concrete....so I will raise mine on wire and allow free ranging on my property when I can watch/protect them with my shot gun.
Happy Hatch'en

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

I keep mine on flat ground. It is true though that chickens will pack dirt down and cover the top of ground in their run and coop with poop. I pull out the very small garden tiller though and till everything under every few weeks. This refills holes, eliminates stink, gives the chickens something to play in again and keeps them very clean. My whites are gleaming white.

I thought it would frighten them to death but, not so. As I'm making the round they follow behind me looking for bugs, worms etc that I have unearthed. Even the leghorns pay me no attention.

Use at your own discretion though as I won't be responsible if you accidentally till one of your chooks under.