Coop on a hillside - roost heights

[ChickenCanoe]

Coop on a slope, while challenging, has advantages. You won't end up with a mud pit. The rain will all run off.

 

[aart]

Very interesting build and concept...I hope you continue to post pics as you go along.
Framing looks level and rock solid.
Are those 6x6 posts?
Nice roof overhang and looks like you will add fly rafters?
Will there be a run too?
Will the storage area be walled off from the chicken area?

 

[RoyalChick]

Thank you. Yes, the hard landings is what is worrying me. And I think I can figure out how to give them a step down. I think I will try to limit vertical drop to 3' I have seen them handle 3' off the raised beds in the vegetable garden without much difficulty.

 

[aart]

How high roosts are can depend on how big coop is.....they need some landing area when they jump/fly down so they don't crash into anything.
My coop is only 6' wide and I have/had some heavy birds, they prefer to use a ramp.

Here's some tips on heights:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

 

[RoyalChick]

Thank you aart for your interest in my coop. I think I will create a page for pictures - I am insanely excited about it! Yes, it will have an attached run with a roof going on down the slope in 2 steps - about 24' in total for the run (just framing that now). Then on either side of the roofed run, will be two 'pasture' areas with only a wire roof. Each can be closed off so I can alternate the chickens' access to them giving each side a chance to reseed so they have fresh new greens. Yes, the storage area will be walled off from the chickens, and yes those are 6x6 posts (Hemlock) and they came as 6x6 not the usual 5+1/2 so they are huge and I like the look. My main worry now is we are racing against the weather and I don't think we will be done in time for the chickens to move in before it gets really cold and snowy.

 

[Cryss]

- I am in Northern NJ (so winter is an issue) - I think I have added it to my profile.

Hi Northern NJ! Northwest NJ here! Looks like we can possibly get a bit of snow Thursday night!
WELCOME TO BYC!
My first year I was still building well into December cuz I had no idea what I was doing. I'm so thankful for this site and the helpful people that populate it. You're in a great place to get answers .

Your coop build looks amazing! I'm following now cuz i really wanna see it develop!

 

[aart]

I think I will create a page for pictures - I am insanely excited about it! Yes, it will have an attached run with a roof going on down the slope in 2 steps - about 24' in total for the run (just framing that now).

You can just post pics right in this thread, then when it's all done, copy it all to an article.

Will you put gutters on coop roof?
You know what they say about sh!t rolling downhill,
rain off roof will wash all your run bedding down the slope.

 

[RoyalChick]

I started an article on my journey building this coop but this thread has the most up to date version anyway. Someone already left a nice comment asking me to update my progress - I love BYC because people everyone is so friendly and helpful and with loads of ideas. aart, I spent the night thinking about your ramps and how that might help my roost slope issue and think i may give it a go.
I will definitely have gutters on the uphill side of the coop so water doesn't seep underneath and make it all soggy. Still deciding about the downhill side. I also plan to collect rainwater in a barrel inside the coop PVC pipe and chicken nipples for the chickens to drink. I just need to make sure I can get the water inside without rain leaking in outside of the barrel. I also need to figure out how to filter the rain water. So much still to figure out!

 

[aart]

I started an article on my journey building this coop but this thread has the most up to date version anyway.

IMO, it's easier to do the build progress in a thread, for discussion and feed back purposes.
Articles are better for documenting a finished build after it's all done showing all the steps without all the yakking discussion.

Still deciding about the downhill side.

Thinking about roof run off is critical, especially on your site.
I think a gutter on the downhill side is a good idea, easier to do now rather than later.
Will your run sections have solid roofs?

 

[RoyalChick]

Ah well, newbie mistake. The site seems to encourage a newbie to create an article with link in your profile to your coop. Never mind.
I will definitely decide on the gutter on the down hill on coop before build is complete. The run will have a solid roof so the only thing is if all the rain comes off the downhill side of the coop roof onto the run roof then maybe I only need gutters on the run. But that all gets complicated because of rain-water retrieval and the best gutter to do that from (I want to be able to clean that gutter easily).
The issue I am wrestling with right now is heights for doors. I managed to salvage some really good exterior doors but of course because of the slope they may be too tall. You got it right in your firs response aart when you said the slope would create challenges!