need advice on leveling the coop

[tabithas]

The are of our yard where the coop/run has to go is on an incline. the coop has an attached run. Does any one have suggestions on how to level the coop? I will try to post some pics tomorrow when it is light enough out to take some. Thanks!

 

[UrbanBYC]

Hello, I am also building a coop on a grade however it is not an all in one (I suppose that is what you mean by attached run). My coop is suspended in the air by 4 2x4's and I am going to raise the legs on bricks to prevent rotting and to level them out (different number of bricks at each corner). If your coop is an all in one, or it has lumber (2x4, 4x4?) that runs along the ground, I would suggest you make a rectangle all the way around the place you are placing the coop with cinder blocks or other concrete block. So basically you have a foundation all the way around, dig blocks in at the high end and then layer more bricks as you go down, digging each bottom one in, so that the top is level.

It wound be somthing like this but one end would be sticking up at the lower end. Hope this makes sense.

The picture is not mine, It is from the wichita cabin coop.

 

[kellanv]

The above way can work fine but it may be more work than you need to do depending on your design. Here is my current build. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/698807/chickens-our-west-austin-coop-build-lots-of-photos/

There is about eight to twelve inches of difference between corners. If you set your posts in concrete or anchored to concrete pads you can then just build your floor level despite what the ground does. The main trick for us will be the run but its the same idea. We will just have to run angled 2x4s along the ground to hold the wire etc.

Hope this helps!

 

[UrbanBYC]

The above way can work fine but it may be more work than you need to do depending on your design. Here is my current build. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/698807/chickens-our-west-austin-coop-build-lots-of-photos/
There is about eight to twelve inches of difference between corners. If you set your posts in concrete or anchored to concrete pads you can then just build your floor level despite what the ground does. The main trick for us will be the run but its the same idea. We will just have to run angled 2x4s along the ground to hold the wire etc.
Hope this helps!

Yes, that would be how to do it if you have posts, i thought he might have it on the ground with wood running along the ground.

 

[tabithas]

Thanks for the suggestions! The run we currently have attached to the coop does have 2x6's that run along the ground. I think we will try the brick foundation suggestion. I meant to take some pictures today so you could see more what we are facing, but didn't get home till after dark! Maybe tomorrow!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm guessing from the comments yours is an all in one where the coop and run are one piece and cannot be separated. I don't know how much of an incline yours is on or how big the combined unit is.

Another possible approach much like KellenV's would be to build a separate frame out of treated wood and wire. Put posts in the ground at the four corners and build a level frame on top of that. Just set the current coop and run on top of that level frame. You might need some intermediate posts depending on how big the combined unit is. This might work better if there is a lot of elevation difference. The block solution might be best if there is not much elevation difference.

Denver can get some significant winds, but I don't know how well protected your area actually is. With the elevated post frame, you would need to attach the coop and run to the frame, either screwing them together or maybe using straps. You might want to consider securing it against wind if you put it on cinder blocks too.

Again, I don't know what your coop and run looks like. Depending on the doors and height, you might be able to build it up enough where you could actually stand up in the run if you use the posts if run height is a problem now.

Just another approach to think about. We each have our unique situations and may have our own unique solutions. I used this approach when I converted a tractor to a grow-out coop. Not because of uneven ground but to get the coop up where I don't have to get on my knees to reach inside.

Good luck with it.