Does the run have to be on flat ground?

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I only see runs built on flat ground. Mine is on an ever so slight incline...I left it that way purposefully when we graded to that the water will not stand.

I'm left with a big pile from grading out the coop...I was thinking of putting it in the middle of the run so that it's above the rest of the coop floor and
there will be a less wet area for them outside. My run will be completely covered, but run-off is inevitable.

Is there any reason not to do this? Thanks!

 

[speckledhen]

Mine sure isn't! I live on a mountain and there is precious little level ground here. The little rototillers (birds) scratch leaves till they pile against the bottom part of the fence, but we have no choice. Used to have the pen uphill from the front of the coops and dirt would pile against the building and we'd have to dig it out constantly. This is much better, having the pens downhill from the coop itself.

The breeding coop:

 

[TennesseeTruly]

I live on a mountain as well and there is little level land here. Everything is on an incline.

The one downside is the number of times I've ended up on my butt from trying to go up the incline after having to go down it to get something in the mud. Fun fun!

Laurie

 

[CoopCrazy]

Nope I havent got a flat spot on my whole property...

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

I have come to find that chickens are very laid back as long as they are warm in the winter and cool ain the summer and dry they don't care much about how they are set up in the coop and if they are on a hill side or flat ground as long as they can get fresh air and scrtch they are happy so no it doesn't matter as long as your fence is enough to go with the curve of the land.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Awesome! One less thing to worry about

Thanks for all of your responses and especially the pictures...love the pictures!!

I've slid on my behind a couple of times going down to feed the horses....it's
not much of an incline but enough when the ground is icy to go flying.

 

[speckledhen]

I broke my ankle last year in January, coming down the side of the pen in that third picture. It had just started to snow and it was quite a ways from the house. Right leg slid forward, left one stayed back and my weight fell on that bent ankle. Crunch! Some days, I'd love some flat ground, but then again, my land drains really, really well, so that's one upside.