A chicken coop raised off the ground has increased air circulation below it. Not only does this help keep the soil dry, but it can also help regulate the temperature inside the chicken coop. Increased airflow in summer can help keep the chicken coop floor cooler. Typically, chicken coops that rest directly on the ground, rise a couple of inches or more, are more prone to disease, mold, and bacteria.
They are also at the mercy of predators who could dig their way into the chicken coop and cause damage. A raised chicken coop ensures that air can circulate around the chicken coop, can prevent flooding in flood-prone areas, and prevents rats and mice from nesting. An additional advantage of a raised chicken coop is that it can serve as a structure for reared chickens to escape predators. The off-floor chicken coop helps maintain sufficient air circulation and makes cleaning easier.
Proper cleaning and good air circulation can reduce the chances of multiple diseases and problems. That's why the bred chicken coop is a very fashionable feature among chicken breeders. As a result, the raised chicken coop has become a popular feature among chicken owners. The main reason chicken coops should be raised is that it's easier to keep predators away and protect chickens.
Most chicken coops are generally built at a distance of 16 inches to 4 feet from the ground, with about two feet being the “sweet spot”. Another great advantage of having a chicken coop raised off the ground is that you don't have to worry about the driveway being covered with snow or flooding. A chicken coop is basically a hanger where chickens sleep, and they should be able to fly comfortably (or flap, jump, as you describe a chicken trying to fly) to it. In addition, this allows for better air circulation when a chicken coop rises above the ground and prevents the accumulation of droppings, dust mites and more.
For a variety of reasons, a chicken coop should rise at least 1 foot to 3 feet off the ground, and the rest is your choice. In some states, there are also laws that govern the minimum distance a cooperative can be placed in relation to a residential structure. Chickens produce a lot of moisture and you want that moisture to escape from the chicken coop so your chickens don't get sick. If your chicken coop rises above the ground, even if predators are able to break through the walls, they don't get very far, since the chickens are above their heads.
A layer of bedding such as pine shavings, rice husks or straw is a good cushion for the inside of the nest boxes and the floor of the chicken coop. It was a revelation for me when I raised my first chicken coop high enough to fit a wheelbarrow under the rim, it was the end of the shovel. However, the amount of moisture they accumulate will not be enough to create mold problems IF your chicken coop is well ventilated. For example, in Texas, to comply with the ordinance, you cannot place a chicken coop closer than 20 feet from an adjacent property or less than 30 feet from any adjacent residential structure.
Consider adding straw bales for added insulation and protection on the exposed sides of a chicken coop.
