why are coops raised off the ground ?

[Timber Creek]

Hi there, we have had 12 chickens for 10 years in a coop we built, and it has been great. We want to build anew and improved model. Our current coop is on the ground ( a piece of SM insulation actually ) and it is warm in our Canadian winter, and we have had no rodent issues. We are looking at new plans and they are all 6 or 8 inches off the ground. We do not understand why ?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

To keep rats/mice from building nests in the ground under the coop. Also the chickens can go under the coop for shade if it is high enough.

 

[Timber Creek]

Thanks alot, that is about what we thought.

 

[prochicken3]

What I've heard is that if there's a hawk they'll go under the coop

 

[chfite]

I have my coops off the ground 24 inches. I don't have to bend or stoop to reach inside to clean. The chickens can go under the coop for shade or to get out of the rain. It is always dry under the coop, so they can take a dust bath in the wettest weather. Too much room for rats or mice.

Chris

 

[SpicySalsa]

We built ours 24" off the ground. We wanted our girls to be able to go under it for some shade as we also have an attached run. With it being raised 24" it makes it easy cleaning as I don't have to bend over to clean the coop.

 

[settingdusk]

Healthier, better ventilation. The ground can get wet and that plus chicken poop equals sick birds.

 

[Timber Creek]

About what we thought. Thanx R & K