Raised Coops Question...

[jmbelders]

If you are thinking about a raised coop, check out "thegardencoop.com" They have two different sized coop plans to buy which is what I am gathering materials to build. Nice looking coops and fairly easy to build not to mention fairly predator proof.

 

[NC ChickenKate]

kvmommy...I have 9 week old silkies who even tho they aren't fully feathered, have no problem going up or down the ramp from the pop hole...the coop is 18 inches off the ground. I glued many cross pieces on the ramp using mostly twigs that are about as round as your pinkie finger. They have been using the ramp since they were 4 1/2 weeks old.
They have been playing on the roosts inside the coop along with the other chooks...both the roost 6 inches off the ground and the roost 18 " off the ground (which they would have to hop up to).
I did design two of my 5 nest boxes to be only 3 inches off the floor incase they prefer them to the others higher up when they start laying.

 

[kvmommy]

awesome thanks for the advice!

 

[BWKatz]

I built my coop directly on ground because I have granite "dirt" This made for a more secure coop and pen for me. However I do have a covered pen.

 

[Duramaxgirl]

we built all of our coops off the ground.
Its good for;
A place free of snow and for dust bathing in the winter.
I've had only one mouse problem that's another story

there is no where for them to hide under it.
It works great for a place to hide for the birds from flying predators.
Good for shade in our sorta hot summers. Last summer was cold! Never really got much over 90.
it gives more square feet for your run.
I'm sure there's more I just can't think of them all.
I have a small plastic long shrub rake for dragging things out from under the coops.

 

[Hawkeye95]

My coop is off the ground too for all the same reasons every one else listed. HOWEVER please keep in mind that you WILL be crawling under there to retrieve birds from time to time. Either build a door into the side under the coop (I didn't) or make it tall enough that you can easily get under there! My coop is 26 inches off the ground, and I'm glad I made it a little on the tall side because of what happened two days ago. It's been raining non-stop here and a total mess. One of my silkies was under the coop, because frankly it was dry and warmer under there. I have straw bales around the outside of the legs to give them more protection from the elements. But my silkie didn't want to get back out into the rain and muck to go back into the coop! So I had to go into the run, and crawled under the coop. I was able to stay on my feet and kind of shuffle under there so I wouldn't get soaked and retrieved her and put her in the coop. So do keep that in mind. It is an excellent place for them to get away from rain and wind, but it's also a great place for them to hunker down, too. I waited until it was nearly dark and she was sleeping on the ground so I didn't have to chase her.

She was warm and dry under there.

 

[navychick]

Ours is about 2+ feet off the ground and I can say "under it" is their favorite place to escape the heat or rain/snow as they never go back in the coop for shelter, only under it. As someone posted you may need to get under it so I'd make it high enough for you to get under if you need to. I have pics on my page if your interested. Good Luck with your coop.

 

[bairo]

all good reasons to build off the ground have already been stated. I would suggest that you go at least 24 inches though because there will be a time when you may have to crawl under and retrieve an egg or sick bird.

 

[Barred Rocker]

Chickens seem to like penthouse suites. All my coops are off the ground by about 2 ft. It also gives them cover from the elements when they're out in the run. Just check out my byc pages. It has many advantages, it keeps the coop aired out and dry, the seem to be more comfortable being up high and it makes cleaning a little easier ( I have a trap door to push out the poop and stuff). Nothing wrong with ground level coops, I think its just a preference.

 

[austintgraf]

my coops are elevated for a few reason as the following states:

- it optimizes space, as a homesteader putting a coop directly on the ground, when it is just as easy to elevate, its a lose of ground space for your birds to utilize

- in the summer it provideds an extra source of shade

- protection from percipitation

- building a coop directly on the ground with a wood floor or other floor provideds varmin a place to breed and live. Including snakes which are very dangerious towards chicken

just my thoughts