I have 2 areas to build coop, both are on slope. One is just above our raised bed vegetable garden and one is in rear of yard near a heavily wooded area. First, any problems putting coop 15 - 20 feet from veggies? Which would be best location? Also what problems come up having run on slope? I'm sure I can level out coop but making run level would be a job. Thanks!
Our third coop/run was built on a slope (the land sloped upwards). We use dog kennels for our runs and ended up building a platform to place this on to make the run level. Hardware cloth was run along the bottom (sunk into the ground and concreted in) and 36" up around the actual run. This coop/run is right next to our garden with no problems (those darn hot peppers that Bill insists on planting can be easily picked and "recycled" to the chickens). Here is a picture prior to the entire hardware cloth and roof (electrical pipe/hardware cloth) being added to the project. In addition, we have since added a raised walkway to the door of the run. If I were you, I'd choose the heavily wooded area for shade (depending on hot your summers are). This coop and our first one were built under a very large tea olive specifically for the shade. Gail
Actually a sloped run and a slope leading to the coop may be an advantage, depending in how steep the slope is. You know where the water is coming from. You can fix your drainage to keep the water out of both coop and run. I prefer a berm built up to direct the water instead of digging a ditch, and you have to be a bit careful about concentrating the water and causing severe erosion, but I used terrain to help keep my coop and run dry. I don't know of any disadvantages of having it close to the vegetable garden as long as you are not blocking sunshine or creating an erosion problem. The chicken poop really needs to be composted before it goes on the garden, so consider how run-off would work. One advantage to having the run close is that I often feed mine stuff from the garden, excess green stuff like cabbage leaves or kale or chard leaves that bugs got to, bad tomatoes, squash, or peppers, corn ear worms, various things. Depending on how steep it is, the run really does not need to be level. What you want to avoid, other than drainage and erosion problems (watch how you slope your coop roof for rain runoff) is that they may be easily able to fly out over the lower section. You may have to build up your fence down there to keep them in. I really can't think of any other potential problems.
We have our coop on a slope. The things that I deal with are.... The coop is on the lower side of the run so the chickens have scratched all loose soil rocks sticks and ect toward the door. Luckily we made our door to the pen open outward so that doesn't cause a real big problem. The lower side of the pen is only about four and a half feet tall cause of the previous reasons listed. In the winter I slip and fall several times so coming up with a good walk way would be very important too. Ours is in a forested area which I do like. It gives them cover and protection from the hot days. I will add more later as I remember. I don't know about putting it next to the garden. I would say if the garden is lower than the coop I would pick the other spot. These are just my thoughts and opinions. Tracy
