Raised vs ground level coop and cupolas

[Shoemacl]

Have you asked the builder if he can make his cupola operational? I think it is pretty simple to do. Possibly is would be only framing the hole in the roof. Even if it is also replacing side panels with louvers, it should be doable.

They make really wonderful ventilation. Well worth doing.

I definitely plan on asking. Hoping between that, the 4 functional windows and gable vents we’ll be ok

Birds can lay under there or if the get sick under there it can be a challenge to crawl under to get them out.

Where in this world are you?

Ah very good point. We are in Maryland

 

[Loving my girls]

I had a coop that was raised about a foot and it was a major pain. Hens would run under it when I wanted to get one, it was totally unmanageable so the grass would grow and it would get all poopy.
I did it to extend the run space but in hindsight I would have been better off extending the run.
I now have a ground level one and would never go back to a raised one.
Just my opinion

 

[RoyalChick]

Have you asked the builder if he can make his cupola operational? I think it is pretty simple to do. Possibly is would be only framing the hole in the roof. Even if it is also replacing side panels with louvers, it should be doable.

They make really wonderful ventilation. Well worth doing.

I have an operational cupola and it is great. Worth lining with both hardware cloth and bug screen to keep out yellow jackets and the like.

 

[RoyalChick]

I had a coop that was raised about a foot and it was a major pain. Hens would run under it when I wanted to get one, it was totally unmanageable so the grass would grow and it would get all poopy.
I did it to extend the run space but in hindsight I would have been better off extending the run.
I now have a ground level one and would never go back to a raised one.
Just my opinion

I too love the access of my full height walk-in coop. But mine get to be out in a large fenced area so space is not an issue.

 

[Krugerrand]

Google image search returns this:
https://blackbearshed.com/product/deluxe-combination-coop

 

[Seaslug]

You mention a 8'x16' space -- I would want to be able to walk within that space to clean and check on the birds. If you are concerned about rodents (and it is a legit concern), what about a concrete pad under the coop?