Rainy, rainy rain-rain! Suggestions for build?

[Eggscaping]

So yay!! We signed papers on Thursday for our land in Lakeside, Oregon - finally! A double lot so we will have plenty of room for chickens, a few fruit trees, rabbits, and some raised-bed gardens, too! We still have a little less than a year before we will be down there, and naturally, the house/fence/shed have go in first. But, it didn't stop raining all the time we were down there and the lake is WAY high (we were told that 5 inches of rain in one day!)
So I'm thinking that the run we make will have to be REALLY constructed with an eye to keeping it dry enough so that the chickens will want to venture out and not stay in the coop all day(s) getting cranky and unhappy.
I've read plenty of stuff about ventilation, ventilation, ventilation in the coop, but how would you create a new run, from the ground up, so that it will stay as dry as possible? Let me see if I can remember what I've read here: Slight slant to the ground so the water will run off and not stand, ditches around the outside filled with gravel, (like a French drain, yes?) Can you put down gravel as a floor and then use deep litter method over it? We plan on putting a cover over it which will probably go down one side at least partially - probably the side that faces the ocean, as most storms come from that direction, I think. Are there any other thoughts on a dry run in the face of monsoon weather?

 

[cavemanrich]

It all depends on the size you want your run to be.
If possible, cover top with polycarbonate clear panels. On run walls, have tarps attached and rolled up. If anticipating heavy rains, then unroll tarps free to ground. This will keep rain from blowing into run.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Kris5902]

Congratulations!!! Sounds like you’ve got it all covered. My best suggestion is (if you can) do sometrhing temporary to start and observe the land and how it interacts with the weather for as long as possible (hopefully a full year) before committing to anything big/permanent.

Sure, I located my house site well for solar and water... but boy did I not know about these winds! A 1/4-1/2 mile further west and they aren’t even half as strong. We also got twice the amount of snow the western half of the property did.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Congratulations!!! Sounds like you’ve got it all covered. My best suggestion is (if you can) do sometrhing temporary to start and observe the land and how it interacts with the weather for as long as possible (hopefully a full year) before committing to anything big/permanent.

I agree... and it sounds like it'll take some time to get the house in, plus any other outbuildings, landscaping or structures for you and your family.

Even if the area gets a lot of rain, it takes time to see the unique characteristics of your property with wind direction, sun and shade, drainage, etc. For example, my lot is very flat and wet, with wetland areas and drier areas. My chicken run is in a drier area but not roofed. So while the chickens definitely don't love being out in the rain, at least the soil has good drainage (plus I do deep litter) so there's no flooding or mud issue and no need to add a drain or add to the soil level.

If you can afford a roof that provides both weather protection and predator protection, both big pluses. But I wouldn't worry about having to build up the soil level or adding drains just yet, not until you see how the actual property behaves.

 

[Ted Brown]

+1 on both posts above! Location matters and you are best to observe/take your time with that decision.

A small point in a rainy climate - run may come 1st but a sheltered person door is worth considering and there are those on this board that advocate coop roof overhang when ever possible. @aart

 

[aart]

But I wouldn't worry about having to build up the soil level or adding drains just yet, not until you see how the actual property behaves.

This^^^
Best time to assess drainage/run off flow, and dig drainage trenches/swales/berms, is during a pouring rain.

and there are those on this board that advocate coop roof overhang when ever possible. @aart

Yes!! Big roof overhangs all around....and top hinged windows!

 

[TwinkleChicken]

Perhaps considering purchasing a plastic coop, like an Eglu or snap Lock. The rain can't damage those! Also, great ventilation! I'm about to purchase one like in the pic below, and I did my homework on them. https://www.omlet.us/shop/chicken_keeping/

 

[aart]

The rain can't damage those!

Water might not damage plastic, but they won't shed rain water too well with no roof overhang and angled walls...
....and I'd have to disagree about great ventilation.