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Platforms

Platforms are sometimes separate and sometimes attached to the support poles for the roof structure. When platforms are not attached to the main roof support poles, there is room to walk around the platform.

The flooring of a chickee is constructed of split logs or milled wood, which are propped approximately one to three feet off of the ground. The higher the platform is off the ground, the less heat from the ground radiates to the platform surface.

Woven reed mats can be placed atop the floor boards. Wooden benches are often placed inside the chickee along the side walls for sleeping on.

A Living Roof

A chickee roof provides shelter and a home for many arthropods (for example, millipedes, centipedes, spiders, scorpions, moths) and even some amphibians (for example, frogs).

Where to Build a Chickee?

If you build a chickee in the sun, your chickee is likely to last for 15 years; whereas, if you build your chickee in the shade, it is likely to last for 4 to 5 years.

You may want to build your chickee amongst some trees so you reduce the wind load factor on the thatched roof. Traditionally, chickees were built along lake shores or river ways where there was a tree lining.

Chickees nestled at a water edge receive air flow from wind. Tree lining also provide protection from heavy wind.