Raised coop VS a shed style coop?

[Gazinga]

Ok, why do we build a raised coop? What are teh benefits of it? Over a shed style coop or tractor?

 

[colby318]

I think to keep gnawing animals from getting in.

 

[Kitchenella]

I raised mine because I have a very small yard and using the space uder the shed provides more room for the run and shade.

Peggy

 

[nzpouter]

don't know how cold your area is.. but where we are we have 1' raised slat floor, keeps the coop dry.

 

[homestead5er]

My coop is only 4' by 8', raised mine to stop rodents from living under it and to make it easy to clean out. No bending over!!

 

[MsMelvin]

Quote:
Exactly, but not only that... if you plan on adding an outside run, include fencing around the legs of the coop giving your flock a great place to hide! They feel safe under there. Mine like to take their dust bath under the coop in the shade

Safe and dry...they love it! Sally

 

[patandchickens]

Raised coop:
costs more to build
easier to predatorproof (i.e. is automatically fairly pred-proof)
immune from mud/flooding issues inside the coop
fairly easy to disinfect if necessary
floor does not develop holes, pits, etc
chickens can have access to some/all of underneath part as shelter

Dirt-floored coop:
cheaper and easier to build
harder to predatorproof vs digging predators
can flood
can't really be disinfected if you should ever need to
can become uneven and pitted, not always so easy to repair

Slab- or paver-floored coop:
All the dirt floor comments, except is expensive to build but
extremely (for slab) or fairly well (for pavers) predatorproof

There are also differences in the thermal behavior of raised coops vs coops on teh ground. However it is very complicated and hard to summarize or in some cases predict. In general, a large raised coop will get hotter sooner in summer, and colder faster in winter, than a large dirt- or slab-floored coop.

JME,

Pat