Chicken run on a slope

[Josmom]

Hi, all - I am a brand-new member. Don't even have any hens yet.

My question is regarding building a run on a slope. I want to convert my daughter's old 5'x8' playhouse into a chicken coop for 3-4 hens. The playhouse was built onto a large in-ground boulder, which is on a slope. My idea is to use the playhouse as the coop, then fence in the underside as a run (carefully, of course - we have lots of fox and raccoons). I would cut a hole into the floor of the coop and then build a chicken ramp leading down underneath. Will this work for the chickens? Is the slope too steep? Thank you in advance for any feedback!

 

[Judy]

You could preserve the flooor space by building a ramp onto the back, or back porch.

You might find, after they kill the grass, that the topsoil in the run tends to run off, down the hill. But I'll bet they will enjoy being under the buiding in the heat of the day!

 

[21hens-incharge]

To try and slow the run off perhaps a retaining wall could help. I would go down the slope a bit and try putting in a retaining wall.
It would certainly not need to be fancy. Perhaps rail road ties.

What about making the run on the front side of the coop?
Perhaps on the side with just enough room for a door on the side of the coop?

What a wonderful opprotunity to be creative.

 

[Josmom]

Good idea to build it onto the deck. So, not to sound stupid but i honestly don't know....it isn't too steep for them?