Why are so many coop designs elevated?

[gryeyes]

Yup. If it is not large enough to walk in, the raised coop provide more run space, shade in summer, shelter in rain, and are easier to collect eggs and to clean out.

 

[TigerLilly]

Quote:
Me too. Here's a pic of mine on concrete blocks. We tend to get standing water in a heavy rain, so it's good for that, too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/55921_cooop.jpg

LOVE your coop!

 

[Delmar]

I have been thinking about designing a coop with no floor, except in the nesting boxes and lots of roosts. The hens would be able to walk into the nesting boxes from one of several roosts. Does that make any sense?

 

[noodleroo]

Quote:
Me too. Here's a pic of mine on concrete blocks. We tend to get standing water in a heavy rain, so it's good for that, too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/55921_cooop.jpg

LOVE your coop!

Thank you; its great for my little backyard flock!

 

[gryeyes]

Yes, what you say makes sense, but roosts need to be HIGHER than nest boxes. Chicken prefer height to roost, and if the nest boxes are higher or the same height as the roosts, they'll choose the nest boxes to sleep.

They poop when they sleep - not good for nest box cleanliness.

 

[Delmar]

Quote:
So with such a design I would need a perch to enter the nesting boxes with, and more roosts up higher? Sound right?

 

[centrarchid]

Also prevents rodents from undermining structure.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Mine is elevated so the dog can get underneath it to keep rats and mice from taking up residence

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
My floor is hardware cloth... so far the girls are great with it... guaranteed good ventilation in Texas summer is great... course this is our first winter... got down near freezing on Thursday and not a feather ruffled so I'm hoping we're good.

Just gotta make sure that the roosts are far enough up to avoid drafts...

Edit... oh and layout wise... door is centered on the West side... walk straight through -under the roosts- and to the left to the nest box... so no fear of splatters... eww. Also the door side is the cleanout side and that's where the VAST majority of the poo lands, under the highest roost, so it's easy to get to.

 

[froggiesheins]

I LOVE yer home made coop!

Your my kind of people, use what you have and get creative with it.

Quote:
Me too. Here's a pic of mine on concrete blocks. We tend to get standing water in a heavy rain, so it's good for that, too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/55921_cooop.jpg