Raised vs ground level coop and cupolas

[Shoemacl]

Hi all, I am a chicken novice and plan to get our first chickens this spring. We have found a great coop builder in the Lancaster, PA area who offers many different styles. We are heavily leaning towards an 8X16 coop which has an indoor area offered either at ground level or raised (looks to be about 12-16" off the ground).

I prefer the look of the ground level one as it gives more head space, but we obviously have concerns about rodents getting in. The builder assured us that he's never had issues with predators getting into the ground level coop because it's build super tight and has a layer of "glass board FRP" floor on top of the structural floor. Is anyone familiar with this FRP material and is it in fact a good enough barrier against rodents if the coop is ground level?

Additionally, has anyone had any luck finding a good functional cupola that isn't outrageously expensive? The builder offers one, but it's cosmetic only. I think it could be a big benefit to have the extra ventilation with our Maryland summers.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome!
Does your coop builder have a website with photos you can share?

 

[Sally PB]

Yes, I'd like to see pictures of the coops he builds.

 

[Shoemacl]

I found them on Facebook marketplace but here are some of the styles we’re considering. Apparently all use the glass board floor.

 

[Ted Brown]

None of those coops appear to have adequate ventilation.

 

[Loving my girls]

I have to say that although they look amazing I have to agree with Ted Brown. Ventilation is EXTREMELY important to chickens and, perhaps it’s the angles of the photos, I can’t see a great deal.
I guess you could add more afterwards very easily as they do look lovely.
I would ensure that the wood used is class 3 (treated for wood worm etc) before it’s built. Otherwise it’s something I would recommend before you add your girls.
Getting your first coop, in fact getting a new coop for any of us, is a really exciting time and I hope you don’t feel sad after our comments. Between us we have gathered a millennia of experience and want to help you avoid the stumbling of going through what we have.
Hugz

 

[RoyalChick]

Exciting to get a lovely new coop. I will pile on and say they need ventilation. The good news is that the design gives lots of places it could be added. I basically have most of the gable ends open (protected by hardware cloth of course) as well as a roof ridge vent and vents under the roof overhangs.
By the way you will never regret having a bigger roof overhang than is shown in these pictures.
If he custom builds he should be able to include ventilation in his build.

In the question you asked I don’t know about the floor - my coop is in bare dirt - but the raised one does give the chickens a bit of extra space to run around. Regardless of all the space guidelines your chickens will always appreciate more space!

 

[Shoemacl]

I appreciate all of the feedback! What kind of additional ventilation should I specifically request? Gable vents are offered as well. Would that adequate in addition to the 2 windows on either side of the building?

 

[Shoemacl]

Exciting to get a lovely new coop. I will pile on and say they need ventilation. The good news is that the design gives lots of places it could be added. I basically have most of the gable ends open (protected by hardware cloth of course) as well as a roof ridge vent and vents under the roof overhangs.
By the way you will never regret having a bigger roof overhang than is shown in these pictures.
If he custom builds he should be able to include ventilation in his build.

In the question you asked I don’t know about the floor - my coop is in bare dirt - but the raised one does give the chickens a bit of extra space to run around. Regardless of all the space guidelines your chickens will always appreciate more space!

Really appreciate all the tips. What kind of benefits does the bigger roof overhang provide?

 

[Ted Brown]

The recommended standard is 1 Sq ft per bird open 24/7/365. Hot locations require considerably more.