Coop on a hillside - roost heights

[RoyalChick]

I get you. Putting roosts in a building with a slopped floor isn't a problem.
However sloping a floor can be a problem.
There are many ways to create a level building on a hill.
A couple are using in ground posts or deck blocks you can put 4X4s into to create a level platform.
I'm sorry I didn't understand your original question. I didn't know your floor was slanted.
I've never built a building with a sloped floor.

Yes it may indeed be crazy! I have a level floor in my storage area of the coop, but I wanted a dirt floor for the chicken part of the coop, so decided to live with the natural grade. I will see how it works out. Worst case if it is a problem I have some tree stumps I could use to create sort of terracing or steps inside. But I am kind of hoping there will be just a natural flow of soiled bedding downhill allowing me to rake it out easily and insert fresh bedding at the top. I feel like I am still a way off being finished so it will be a while before I know if it works.

 

[aart]

so it will be a while before I know if it works.

I'm curious, but patient, hope you report back here when the time comes.

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm curious, but patient, hope you report back here when the time comes.
[/
Will do! Thanks for the support.

 

[RoyalChick]

Been a while so posting an update. Haven’t made as much progress as I would like because we are battling the winter. But the runs are done and their roofs are on. I now have doors and windows in the coop. Step by step getting there!

 

[Cryss]

 

[RoyalChick]

Thank you! I do think it is turning out quite well. I have big plans for inside as well! The windows give a lot of passive solar heat when the sun is low in the winter, but the shade of the big Tulip tree and the big roof overhangs will (I hope) mean it stays cool in summer.

 

[Jac Jac]

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

Good advice ChickenCanoe.
I have a mud pit on one level of three coops. Every time it "thinks" about raining a flock of my Orps - the Dirty Birds,and two separate flocks of RIRs - begin to splash around in the mud. As I am hoping to move soon to my own farm I won't disturb the grounds I'm renting, but feel blessed they all have sufficient space in and out of the coops to frolic and forage while not swimming like the ducks.
To everyone, I'm so grateful for this forum. The advice and knowledge of its members is all the assurance I need in case I run into a situation like this. I really trust you all with my flock education.

 

[Jac Jac]

Thank you! I am very excited about it. Honestly the coop is nicer than my living room (if you can get used to the dirt floor of course!). Some reclaimed doors and windows have really helped make it very fancy. The roof is the priority over the next few days before the next storm. I will post again at next milestone which hopefully will be coop interior. Thanks for all the encouragement.

No sweat. We can see you got this.
Are you sure you don't want to rent this tiny house to humans? If you install indoor plumbing, a kitchen, etc. Just kidding.. it's a beautiful and skillful job. I envy your progress in a good way. Some day my chance will come - till then happy building, fellow Clucker.

 

[RoyalChick]

Good advice ChickenCanoe.
I have a mud pit on one level of three coops. Every time it "thinks" about raining a flock of my Orps - the Dirty Birds,and two separate flocks of RIRs - begin to splash around in the mud. As I am hoping to move soon to my own farm I won't disturb the grounds I'm renting, but feel blessed they all have sufficient space in and out of the coops to frolic and forage while not swimming like the ducks.
To everyone, I'm so grateful for this forum. The advice and knowledge of its members is all the assurance I need in case I run into a situation like this. I really trust you all with my flock education.

I am totally with you on this forum - don't think I would have been brave enough to start the project without all the experience of everyone here. Thank you everyone!
With my coop-on-a-slope I am lucky in that the slope continues on past the lower run so everything does run away. I filled the bottom run (the first to be finished) with soggy wet leaves as soon as it was enclosed, and just a couple of weeks later they are all completely dry. So much so that I realize they aren't going to compost down in the run at anything like the pace I thought they would. I am hoping there will be enough chicken poop to get some composting going, and the worms will hopefully come up from the soil and deal with stuff too. I know, it is odd to be concerned about it being too dry in a chicken run!

 

[RoyalChick]

No sweat. We can see you got this.
Are you sure you don't want to rent this tiny house to humans? If you install indoor plumbing, a kitchen, etc. Just kidding.. it's a beautiful and skillful job. I envy your progress in a good way. Some day my chance will come - till then happy building, fellow Clucker.

Well, in all honesty, with the natural light from windows on 4 sides it is much more cheery in the coop than it is in the house - particularly on these winter mornings. I am even getting used to walking around on the sloped dirt floor. Hmmm. I could totally see setting up a small sofa in there for myself!