Scouting for a large coop placement, what things should one look for, be aware of?

[AlyssaK]

So I'm trying to plot where I want the large permanent walk in coop and run to go. I think I know where I want it - but questions are pestering me.

Like ants. One rarely knows when ants will be an issue and how bad of an issue they will wind up deciding to be ... so is there some way one prepares the coop's foundation?

Do you till it first and get everything riled up?

How do you determine drainage?

This will be out in the yard ... but still sort of close to the house. We haven't been here long enough to assess what drainage issues might arise at the location I have in mind ... so what's the best thing? Pouring a cement floor? Wood? Gravel? Sand?

What other things do folks find that they wished that they had planned for in hindsight?

 

[bj taylor]

So I'm trying to plot where I want the large permanent walk in coop and run to go. I think I know where I want it - but questions are pestering me.

Like ants. One rarely knows when ants will be an issue and how bad of an issue they will wind up deciding to be ... so is there some way one prepares the coop's foundation?

Do you till it first and get everything riled up?

How do you determine drainage?

This will be out in the yard ... but still sort of close to the house. We haven't been here long enough to assess what drainage issues might arise at the location I have in mind ... so what's the best thing? Pouring a cement floor? Wood? Gravel? Sand?

What other things do folks find that they wished that they had planned for in hindsight?

i'm not sure about ants. I have had a few fire ant beds in the run, but they have gone away on their own. I don't know if the chickens helped them move on or what. I can't see any value in tilling the ground. the chickens will till pretty well themselves. they'll have it bare in no time, whether you want them to or not.
I think plain dirt is their best option. they can dig in it with out hurting their feet. they need to be able to scratch - it's good for their peace of mind.

good luck & enjoy!

 

[Lisa R]

I have a raised coop with a huge walk in pen (which is getting a real half roof this summer) it has a dirt floor that I keep covered with at least 6" of straw for them to play in. It helps keep the mud down in the rain and gives them places to nest. I wish I had used smaller mesh wire and also buried it at least a foot deep all around the exterior to keep rats out. I do have a tarp and mesh roof but still - the rats dig in under the fence edge. If your coop is on the ground you should have a concrete base so that you can hose it out and also to be less inviting to rats.

 

[3KillerBs]

Our intent to ensure proper drainage is to dig a diversion ditch on the uphill side. Even a shallow one will work as long as the slope is correct -- just like grading for any other building.

We won't need to do anything with that ditch because our soil is overly-well-drained sand, but people in areas with heavy soils and poor drainage might want to fill the drainage ditch with gravel.