Woods Coop. What kind of foundation?

[Billylynn]

I'm considering building a Woods coop and am trying to decide how to manage the foundation...whether to set on cement blocks for the wood frame to rest on, or to set posts in concrete 3-4 ft down. I live where the ground freezes so posts have to go deep. Anyone have any thoughts??

 

[aart]

@Ted Brown has recently built one and studied the plans....might be able to help.

 

[Ted Brown]

I built my Woods (10' by 16' KD) in September/October last year. I live in Quebec near the Ontario border about 80 km from Ottawa; serious winters with average temperatures -10 to -15C and several stretches with -20 to -30C; lots of snow.

The ground here is a thin layer of topsoil (up to 6") underlain by gravel, very good drainage and stable (not much, if any, shifting from freeze/thaw cycles).

I chose to elevate my coop for two reasons:

1. Use of the space underneath as covered run by enclosing with 1/2" by 1/2" hardware cloth; tarped in the winter with a 6-8' wide section open to the south, a 2nd 3' opening on the north-east corner and openings at the top of the side enclosure that covers the ramp from pop door to ground all to allow ventilation. This gave me an almost instant run which was great since I have not yet built the run proper.
2. Barrier to reduce access by critters (mice, etc); I built the support frame then used metal drip edge that overhangs both sides of each beam. Not bullet proof but I rationalized that anything helps, as yet no sign of bugs, four legged critters inside.

Elevation is 3' off the ground so that access is "easy". I used 4" by 4" beams and posts set into concrete patio blocks sitting on the ground, total of 8 posts along the 16' sides; post lengths cut to adjust for differences in ground contour and give a level foundation; solid as a rock; easy peasy to assemble. Avoids the work associated with post holes or concrete and provides extra rigidity to the building structure. I built my coop as a kit, the walls sit directly on the beam and are attached using 6" timber screws; floor built using double layer of 1" by 6" pine boards set at 90 degrees to the other; boards sit directly on the beams and "contained by the bottom wall frame boards, screwed into the beams with 3 1/2" deck screws.

Not that I plan to but the whole coop can be easily dis-assembled and either re-located or disposed of if one's life changes. I am certain that I could take it apart with little to no damage in under two days.

I have a pictorial in the Articles forum that shows how I did things; also an embedded link therein to my build post with lots of detail and extra pictures. Click on "My Coop". Also happy to answer any questions you may have.

So far I am extremely happy with the Woods and the enclosed run underneath. I do not heat; use "deep bedding" and a drop board; have not yet replaced the bedding (simply no need) and clear the drop board daily. No bad smells although a slight "aroma" before the drop boards are cleaned; coop is "closed" for the winter (side and upper monitor windows) so probably the worst season for smells although during the summer the "biologies" will be more active, as yet I have not been through a spring/summer. I have 15 birds so they have lots of space, no sign of behavioural issues as a result.

Best of luck, chickens are great!!

 

[imnukensc]

I'd set posts in concrete. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes would wreak havoc on anything not solidly anchored down here and often even those that are.