Coop and Run on slope, building on raised platform

[medinam]

Hi there!
I have a 5x10 Coop/run on the way (run is under the coop). We are preparing to place the coop/run on a site that is sloped with drainage problems. (We have French drains being installed to help with drainage on the property/site). We are building a 7x12 platform to place the run/coop on top of. I’d like some advice regarding what to fill the platform with. I have 4” of crushed gravel or pea gravel as my base... and am planning to use river sand as the top of the platform which will be the run. Should I consider any other material between the base and the sand?
Thanks in advance for the wisdom!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I would not and I'd go with the pea gravel, not the crushed gravel. Crushed gravel could have sharp edges that might slash their feet and cause them to get infected. Pea gravel is rounded and will not cut them. Just a little extra insurance. They will scratch through the sand and get to the gravel, plus over time it's likely the sand will sink through the pea gravel and need to be replaced.

You could try putting a good quality landscaping cloth on top of the gravel to contain the sand, not sure how that will work. Some landscaping cloth is woven out of strips and will disintegrate into long plastic strips that they could eat. That would be dangerous as it could block the crop and cause all kinds of problems. If you go that route be very careful which landscaping cloth you choose. I'm not sure it would help in the long run anyway. I would not do this.

On a slope you can have two different issues. The chickens will scratch a lot. Gravity will move whatever they scratch downhill. If you try to keep a sloped area it will eventually flatten out. You might consider terracing the run if it is very steep. And expect them to scratch sand out of the run to the area around it. Their scratching is another thing that will cause that sand to disappear over time. As minimum put some kind of retaining wall along the lower edge of the run.

The other issue is erosion from water runoff. In steep terrain I'd put a swale/berm system along the top of the run to keep rainwater runoff from going through the run. That's both to keep the run a little drier and to keep the sand from washing away. That berm is going to collect and concentrate water so where it turns downhill you will probably have erosion problems. That may be why you are putting in the French drains for other areas. Depending on how heavy your rains are and how steeply it is sloped you might be able to control that erosion with vegetation or you may have to get more creative.

You want a little slope in the run so water drains out of it but too flat and it can stay wet. Too much slope presents erosion problems. Very few of us have ideal conditions. Good luck with yours.

 

[medinam]

I’ll go with pea gravel, thank you!

I just read this: https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2013/07/the-real-scoop-on-using-sand-in-your.html?m=1

Am considering not going with sand in the run but good old dirt. I liked the idea of how easy it seemed to clean sand, dirt can’t be that much harder?

French drains will be placed at the top of the platform the coop/run will be built but I will also consider additional drainage support for the run especially since I would like to use dirt instead of sand.

The link above suggests a “sand bath” area.... I’ve read that other members on BYC use a small kiddie pool or something similar. Are there things o should consider or be aware of for this?

Still plugging along in my research to make happy chicks!

 

[jthornton]

I just use a plastic container with about 4-5" tall sides and sift the dirt along with some ash from my wood stove.



JT

 

[Ridgerunner]

In my dirt run I use dirt for them to dust bathe in. They dig a hole wherever they want to so that's in their control, not mine. It's not always a convenient location but it makes them happy. When it is dry that dirt makes a really nice dust for them to dust bathe in.

But my philosophy is a bit different from a lot of people on here. I let chickens be chickens and let them manage as many of their own affairs themselves as I can. I provide food, water, protection from predator, and at least offer them protection from weather if they want to use it. Whether or not they use that weather protection is their decision. But I also have a tremendous amount of room, well over 50 square feet per bird in the run when it gets crowded. That makes a difference too.

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

I’ll go with pea gravel, thank you!

I just read this: https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2013/07/the-real-scoop-on-using-sand-in-your.html?m=1

Am considering not going with sand in the run but good old dirt. I liked the idea of how easy it seemed to clean sand, dirt can’t be that much harder?

French drains will be placed at the top of the platform the coop/run will be built but I will also consider additional drainage support for the run especially since I would like to use dirt instead of sand.

The link above suggests a “sand bath” area.... I’ve read that other members on BYC use a small kiddie pool or something similar. Are there things o should consider or be aware of for this?

Still plugging along in my research to make happy chicks!

The problem you have with dirt is that it gets muddy and does not dry out as fast as sand. You don't want your chicken's to have wet feet. Also if it is muddy it will stick to them and end up with eggs that are muddy.

 

[medinam]

The problem you have with dirt is that it gets muddy and does not dry out as fast as sand. You don't want your chicken's to have wet feet. Also if it is muddy it will stick to them and end up with eggs that are muddy.

The run is covered, thoughts? @Ridgerunner thoughts on how you handle or dont handle muddy feet? When my kids get muddy feet, I don’t care so I think it would only matter to me regarding chicks if it will effect their health. Will read up on this topic.

 

[Relleoms]

Have you thought about how you would clean/access your run if it’s under the coop? That might also affect what you use for a base...

 

[medinam]

Have you thought about how you would clean/access your run if it’s under the coop? That might also affect what you use for a base...

We can stand in it!

 

[Ridgerunner]

The way I handle muddy feet is to have bedding in the coop so they can wipe their feet as they walk to the nest. Is it perfect, not really. You can still get some dirt on the eggs. But it's generally not much if any. I just rub any off with my fingers when I gather the eggs. It will have dried by then. It's possible to get an egg with a fair amount of dirt on it but usually not. I consider it manageable.