Raised Coop Floor vs. Ground Level Coop Floor

[AtholCoop]

One more thing to consider is that if it snows where you live, it's one last thing you have to dig out everytime it snows.

 

[Rocky Top Chick]

We have ours raised to double the space for the chickens. In the Winter or Summer they spend a lot of time underneath the coop. Also, I hate mice so had it raised so that they would not try and build underneath.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
Definitely ground level for that size!

 

[cadyryn]

well the coop will be 20 x 16 but yeah im thinking ground level.

 

[Schroeder]

I have 2 quotes for building a 12 x 20 saltbox style coop. One elevated 24 inches on 4x4 vertical posts with 2 x 10 treated joists spaced 16 inches OS and 3/4 inch plywood floor glued and screwed. The altenate is with a concrete floor 4 in thick with thicker edges. Either option is the same price.

With option 1 I'd likely insulate the floor with foam sheets, lay down linoleum, and their would be the cost of hardware cloth around the foundation (and beneath the floor joists)so it actually would cost me more. I would lay down a few inches of sand before construction begins.

I have a small 6x6 coop that is elevated and I really like the space for the chickens to get out of the weather yet be outside. I just can't decide which option to use on the larger building. Is there something I'm overlooking about such a large building being elevated? I'll have lots of double hung vinyl windows (I got cheap on Craigs list.) Would the raised coop sway enough to cause problems with cracking?

 

[Randy]

I've got a several portable sotorage buildings that I will be converting into coops soon and I'm still not sure how I want to set them up. Now these obviously have floors in them so ground level is out of the question but can't decide if I want to put just a half block under them and have them setting a few inches from the ground or raise them up a couple of feet so the chickens could get under them for shade. One of my worries about letting them go under the coop is that I'm afraid they will try laying under there and it would be a big hassle to get the eggs out. On the plus side of raising them up is that there shouldn't be any mice or snakes or no telling what living under them.

Here are the buildings I'm talking about. I know I'll have to do some other changes like adding more ventilation.

 

[spartacus_63]

It really doesn't cost much more to raise the coop than to put it on the ground. Also unless your ground is absolutely level, some portion of the coop will be raised anyway. If the coop is off the ground you have less moisture and more shade. I would not have a coop on the ground unless it was on a concrete slab. my humble opinion.

 

[Baymule]

My coop has no floor, it is on the ground. It has a wire apron around the outside for predators. I live in a hot climate and the girls love the cool earth.