So I decided to build an underground coop: UPDATE pg 33

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Cleaning it shouldn't be hard at all. Our coop has a dirt floor. I go in and use a garden rake to gather up all the feathers and poop I then showel it onto a screen to shake off the excess dirt and put it in a bucket to take to the compost pile Its easier on your back then cleaning the other coop that has a wooden floor and hay and shavings on it. I don't need a poop board either.

 

[the1much]

just make sure the floor is below the frost line.

 

[Katy]

OK...I've got what is probably a dumb question, but how are you going to keep rain and/or melting snow from seeping in?

 

[Cason]

You could leave the "roof" dirt and plant a garden on top. I think that would be cool

 

[dlhunicorn]

I don't know how many times I have posted these hoping someone would take up the idea (the basis I mean)

(from a member in our holland chicken club group using huge beer/wine vats)

could double as emergency tornado shelter for those with no basements)
I think it should be turfed over though completely (to keep cool in summer)
....for ventilation you could use the windows (drill hole with tube going to surface) and computer fans
Im sure someone wanting to go whole hog could cut a hole in the roof and install a window for a bit of natural lighting

 

[Oblio13]

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Yes, but it will have a very gentle pitch.


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Both, it's cut into a bank, and it's below grade all the way around. The downhill side will stick out of the ground more than the uphill side. That's where the door will be, with steps going down inside. I think the sandy, gravelly soil will drain well. It's raining right now, so I'll know for sure pretty soon. I'll also make provisions for drainage around the outside of the walls.


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A vent in each peak; a rake and big grain-scoop shovel.


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The walls will be pressure-treated 4"x8"s, and the floor will be left dirt at least for now. I think it'll drain better and I'll put a deep layer of leaves and pine needles on top of it.


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It's down at least about four feet.


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The roof will be 2-inch-thick tongue-and-groove planking. On top of that I'll smear a layer of plastic cement, and on top of that I'll put a sheet of black poly. That should be a waterproof barrier that plant roots won't grow through.


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You read our minds.

 

[digitS']

This occurred to me the other day - a raised-bed garden could include one or more "beds" for coops & pens. In other words, the coop could have a garden roof and the coop and pens could be at the same height as the surrounding raised-bed garden. I think perennial herb plants would be a good choice.

Diana, that beer keg and wine barrel coop is the cutest thing! But, what would stay behind such a low fence?

MsBear has it exactly right. Chickens will "go to ground" when they have reason to and just as I pointed out they will do in treeless Asian villages. I once rescued a hen, that the others decided to peck on, from under a pile of firewood. Probably should have left her alone and she would have been able to extricate herself.

Steve

 

[dlhunicorn]

People... there is an open pathway (public can walk through)

 

[the1much]

hehe,, all my chickens,, cept my games,,, stay behind a 4 foot fence

 

[joebryant]

Personally, I would only attempt this on a steep hillside; otherwise, waterproofing would be super-expensive.