Raised vs ground level coop and cupolas

[Shoemacl]

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

Ok good to know. Any opinions on the coop being on ground vs elevated?

 

[aart]

Gable vents are offered as well.

That would be good.

What kind of benefits does the bigger roof overhang provide?

Protects open windows and can have open soffits.

 

[aart]

Any opinions on the coop being on ground vs elevated?

Birds can lay under there or if the get sick under there it can be a challenge to crawl under to get them out.

Where in this world are you?

 

[townchicks]

Those coops are very attractive and could work for you, with, as you have been told, added ventilation. I am guessing that the windows open, which can be very helpful in hot weather, as long as they are backed with hardware cloth for predator protection. However, the ventilation we are all recommending needs to be higher as the ammonia from the chicken poop will rise. Gable vents and a functional cupola would be great. As for raised versus ground level, there are pros and cons to both. Raised gives the chickens more run space, always better. The downside is having to crawl on hands and knees to retrieve a chicken or errantly laid egg from underneath the coop. A walk in coop is always easier, for cleaning or grabbing hens off the roost for exams or treatment. There's the trade-off, depends on you.

 

[Ted Brown]

Both of the previous posts have answered your query on elevation as well as offered other wise advise.

My coop is elevated but 3'+. Very easy to get in and out of as necessary and in the winter is the favourite location for the flock. I also have a covered run that is adjacent to the coop and forms part of a run that totals ~400 sq. ft. (both coop and run are sufficient for 40 birds). I tarp the north side and use clear plastic on the front south side). All very useful when one has real winters with snow and below zero temperatures.

Having a low elevation invites critters that you are better off without.

A last comment - appropriate ventilation is the most important thing in a coop. While the coops you have shown are beautiful buildings using very nice materials that they do not have proper ventilation says to me their real experience with chickens is questionable.

Best of luck.

 

[Kiki]

Don't buy/build the ones that have the small space under the actual coop. You will hate it. Build one that you can walk in to.
FYI These are all coops with attached small runs.

 

[Kiki]

Scroll through some of these for ideas too:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/large-coops.20/

 

[Shoemacl]

Those coops are very attractive and could work for you, with, as you have been told, added ventilation. I am guessing that the windows open, which can be very helpful in hot weather, as long as they are backed with hardware cloth for predator protection. However, the ventilation we are all recommending needs to be higher as the ammonia from the chicken poop will rise. Gable vents and a functional cupola would be great. As for raised versus ground level, there are pros and cons to both. Raised gives the chickens more run space, always better. The downside is having to crawl on hands and knees to retrieve a chicken or errantly laid egg from underneath the coop. A walk in coop is always easier, for cleaning or grabbing hens off the roost for exams or treatment. There's the trade-off, depends on you.

Great feedback, thanks so much!

 

[texsuze]

My coop is elevated only about 2-1/2' off the ground. Adds extra space for girls to use and I hang my feeder and waterer under there. But....wish I'd built a coop on the ground. Mine is getting a bit tough to climb inside each day to clean
RE: the coop builder's slick flooring, I'd request something else or plan on overlaying with some type of mat with cushioning ability. The slick floor is IMHO too hard for chickens to drop down onto, plus slick could mean losing footing and possible injury. Just saying. Otherwise, looks like a tiny home!

 

[saysfaa]

Have you asked the builder if he can make his cupola operational? I think it is pretty simple to do. Possibly is would be only framing the hole in the roof. Even if it is also replacing side panels with louvers, it should be doable.

They make really wonderful ventilation. Well worth doing.