Need some advice for a sloped run/coop

[MapleLaurelFarms]

I'd consider a terrace. Put a board across the slope so you have different levels in there. If there is a gap under your bottom board, close it.

If you have access to downed logs or small timber, you could use downed logs to terrace also. Good way to cut costs and we've used those a lot around here to stabalize our slopes. Just make sure your log or board is a little higher than the earth behind it. Otherwise it'll wash or get pushed right over the board.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Ok and how do you clean the run then? Is that the deep litter method?

Yes that's what I use in my run. The wood chips dry quickly and I'll do a quick toss around a couple of times a week. I also throw grass clippings, straw, anything else in there also. I have chicken wire on the floor under all that, but it's only the keep the hens from digging holes to China. Our run and coop has buried hardware cloth on all sides. I'll walk down to coop and send along a photo in a minute.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Below you can see the wood chips on our sloped run floor. After 10 years of layering, my run is now well above grade so no wash and stays bone dry unless we get rain or snow blow-in, but then it still dries quickly.

I'll also attach a photo of the backside of our run. You can see the original slope and how deep the run bed has gotten through the years. I'll sometimes pull out the material for the garden, but mostly I just rake it around a couple of times a week. That's it.

 

[Faisonfarm]

Yes that's what I use in my run. The wood chips dry quickly and I'll do a quick toss around a couple of times a week. I also throw grass clippings, straw, anything else in there also. I have chicken wire on the floor under all that, but it's only the keep the hens from digging holes to China. Our run and coop has buried hardware cloth on all sides. I'll walk down to coop and send along a photo in a minute.

Thank you for this!!! Do you ever have to completely remove the flooring or is it just always adding more?

 

[thecatumbrella]

Below you can see the wood chips on our sloped run floor. After 10 years of layering, my run is now well above grade so no wash and stays bone dry unless we get rain or snow blow-in, but then it still dries quickly.

I'll also attach a photo of the backside of our run. You can see the original slope and how deep the run bed has gotten through the years. I'll sometimes pull out the material for the garden, but mostly I just rake it around a couple of times a week. That's it.

Beautiful! Another bonus to having a floor like this: it's a lot more fun for your chickens. Sand is sterile and boring. Wood chips, mulch, straw etc is enjoyable for them to forage in.

OP, you mentioned you're in Georgia? Even better, because something like won't freeze (which mine does, sadly).

 

[StinkyAcres]

Ok and how do you clean the run then? Is that the deep litter method?

There is usually no need to clean out the run if the bedding/litter is compostable and can degrade into the ground below AND you don't have too many birds for the size of the run. I also recommend wood chips (not shavings or fine mulch).

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Thank you for this!!! Do you ever have to completely remove the flooring or is it just always adding more?

I never remove it in the run unless I need extra material in the garden. I mostly pile on top, like forever and all the time lol. I do clean out the bedding in the coop 1-2x a year but that's not deep litter. I throw that in the run ha. Or the garden.

And @thecatumbrella is spot on that you're providing your chickens entertainment and likely some nutritional value in mulch since worms and beetles and other delicious goodies love to hang out under it.