coop site with standing water

[aprilc9]

I live in North Texas, and we are getting some crazy rain. I was getting ready to build my coop and run when I realized that the area I picked has a lot of standing water. Not a huge problem since I haven't built anything yet. I will fill that area in with some kind of dirt or sand. I plan to do deep litter and plan to essentially build a giant hardware cloth fortess, but am looking for suggestions for what to fill it with. Sand? Top soil?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Build then use 1x6 pressure treated to go around bottom of run. Fill with 3 or 4 inches of sand. About as easy as it gets. Sand runs are nice and dry and the chickens will like the dust bathing. You'll like the ease of scooping out poop on occasion like a large cat box but most of it will scratch in and compost.

 

[TalkALittle]

Build then use 1x6 pressure treated to go around bottom of run. Fill with 3 or 4 inches of sand. About as easy as it gets. Sand runs are nice and dry and the chickens will like the dust bathing. You'll like the ease of scooping out poop on occasion like a large cat box but most of it will scratch in and compost.

I'm going to have to disagree on this. If the area is prone to standing water you'll need more than 3-4 inches of sand to provide any real drainage benefit. I had a base of about that much sand in my covered run located in an area prone to moisture, especially after rains. During these times, the sand became wet and stinky. I had diligently scooped poop twice daily but bits of poop that had accumulated in the sand over time did NOT compost and began to stink.

I've since gone with a deep litter in the run and couldn't be happier.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree. Fix the drainage issues FIRST, then build your coop. Regrading, French drains, whatever. Then a good base, and your coop. Mary

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I suppose it depends on how much water we're talking about. Yes sand will wick up moisture, sand without fines not as much, use washed non silty sand. Depending on amount of water may take more sand depth. Liter will soak up the water too, it's how much depth you give it until dry. Sand will drain the water but bedding would hold it. Bottom layer of liter would be wet and rotting.

 

[aprilc9]

Thank you! I will probably call a landscape guy to help me get the ground higher. Sand was a major contender, but not anymore. Lol! I'm in a suburb and have close neighbors. Stinky isn'the going to work.

 

[monkcat]

Thank you! I will probably call a landscape guy to help me get the ground higher. Sand was a major contender, but not anymore. Lol! I'm in a suburb and have close neighbors. Stinky isn'the going to work.

There is a thread regarding deep litter that may be worth a read for you. It is what I'm going with. I feel you on the rain. We've had horrid weather and standing water in places in and around the coop. But this method work well as the lower portions get wet and help with decomposition. Throw more litter on top if needed. But I do find the moisture wicks down. Top is dry and so far,no smell. Good ventilation is key. We are doing an open air coop due to the heat and humidity here (South Mississippi).

As far as what is used in the litter, whatever is available. I raked up fallen oak leaves and pine straw and threw it in. The chicks love it. Love foraging for bugs in it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/643302/results-from-first-year-with-deep-litter-method Deep litter lthread.

This thread has pics of my new coop and the litter is very evident.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update/400

Hope this helps!