Walk in coop versus off the ground coop

[astanley]

Hello! I have 8 chickens on order (4 silkies and 4 easter eggers) arriving the first week of June, so I am currently planning my coop and run. We also have 18 other chickens, they have will be kept separate and have their own coop/run. With our older chickens we didn't really plan our coop very well and it leaves much to be desired, so I am really trying to get this coop right. I am trying to figure out what the pros and cons of having a coop that is big enough for me to actually walk (like a "playhouse" size) versus having one where it's off the ground and I can open the sides to get access but can't actually walk in. I don't know if I'm describing it correctly, so here are some pictures of what I am deciding between:

Cannot walk in the coop:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/dinglebays-chicken-coop

Can walk in the coop:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hennebunkport-coop-design


The run will be big enough to walk around in, I just don't know why some people choose the walk in coop over the non-walk in coop and am trying to decide what I want to do. Can someone help me? Is one type better than the other? What are the perks of one over the other? Thank you!

 

[kittycooks]

I vote for a walk-in for easier maintenance and cleaning. My coop is not as pretty as those beautiful pictures, but when it comes to mucking out after the winter or gathering eggs laid outside of the laying boxes I like being able to maneuver myself and tools with ease. Also, if I have to catch a chicken for some reason, I find it easier with a walk-in.