Why are so many coop designs elevated?

[froggiesheins]

Heres my 2cents----saves space, gets them off the cold ground, so much more fun for the human (me) to sit on a stool and talk to the girls while they are inside, and cleaning it is a breeze!

 

[Minniechickmama]

In colder climates, if you build a raised floor and insulate it, it will be relatively warmer because the ground gets so cold and stays cold, it thus radiates cold. Plus all the other good reasons folks mentioned.

 

[colowyo0809]

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Or, if you leave it on the ground, with no floor and utilize the deep litter method all winter you also have a warm coop, without the insulation

 

[Greenskeeper]

Don't forget it also can be used as Storage spot for the food, bedding, tools, or even a duplex-coop!! Yeah, i think i might be putting ducks in the basement of my coop at some point!

 

[chicks4kids]

It all depends on the size you're planning on building as well. You said that you have 10 birds. 5 hens and 5 roos....first off, do you plan on keeping all of those roos?? That may become a problem once winter hits and they choose to stay in the coop and not dare touch the snow. And if I remember correctly, you want 4 sq. ft. per bird in the coop--someone correct me if I'm wrong

Anyway, if you're making it large enough to stand up in, then I would put it on the ground. If not, then definitely raise it so you don't kill your back cleaning the darn thing out, collecting eggs, filling feeders, changing water, etc.

 

[AinaWGSD]

A raised design is just much more convenient for smaller coops and has lots of benefits that have already been mentioned. We made ours raised for two primary reasons. 1) It gives us that much more run space which is nice since in our small yard space is at a premium and provides a ready-made shelter from sun and inclement weather (works too...the other day when it was drizzling nasty freezing rain my girls refused to go back into the coop once I let them out, but they did stay under the coop pretty much all day). 2) It makes clean out easier on us because we don't have to bend over to shovel the droppings or shavings out of the coop. We just put a plastic tote under the door and use a hoe to scrape it all out when we do a full change. It also makes checking and changing the food and water in the coop easier. And opening the pop door, since it just happens to be about waist high.

Of course, a raised design also offers a little bit of added predator protection. Raising the coop gives them a place to hide from aerial predators and if the coop is raised high enough it prevents ground predators from using it as cover. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding or standing water, a raised coop keeps the birds warm and dry when the pen is flooded.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

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Yup, that's why I elivated mine. It's on a 8x4 foot tractor run. 2 feet under coop so the feed is dry and area of birds to roam and 4 feet high so I can put my lazy butt under it to close the door to the coop at night.

 

[Harrietsmum]

Especially good in small city backyards. Makes good use of limited space.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Harrietsmum, that coop is ridiculously adorable!

How many chickens does it house? And, like you said, makes good use of limited space.

 

[downhome]

I think folks do it for different reasons. but I dont care where you are at rats are drawn to critter enclosures. they can live off feces but there is usually food available and a large coop on the ground is that much more inviting as it provides cover. so that said is why I would raise a coop.