Supporting 10x14' coop off the ground (flood plain)

[Life is Good!]

May I receive some help please?

Due to being in an active floodplain (floods every 3yrs or so for at least 2wks), our coop plans will require us to build at least 20" (perhaps 24") off the surface of the ground.

For our present coop (5'x8') this wasn't a problem for me to figure out in terms of supporting the structure properly. The current coop will become a brooder coop - for our late winter meat birds and for our layer flock in spring.

I'm looking at building a 10'x14' cape-cod style coop. So what kind of support posts will I need to put into the ground to support the floor? Every 6'? Every 8'? Some in the center? The coop is for 20-24 Black Java's, so full sized birds. And my weight when I'm in there (150lbs). Otherwise, there's not a lot of 'live load'.

Thank you for your help!

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Considering the weight of the building itself, I would want support beams every 4 foot. I have a 8'X8' modified shed coop that weighs around 1000lbs. I have mine sitting on three 6"square treated wood skids. Even with a metal roof instead of board and shingles, a coop that size will probably weigh double that.

 

[chfite]

You could look a websites for designing decks to get an idea of joist size and placement of supports. For a small building such as you propose, the concrete blocks for setting a deck's support posts on the surface might suit.

It seems to me that frost heave on such a small structure would be minimal. Otherwise, you will be faced with sinking footers below the frost depth. That could 3 or more feet up where you live.

Chris