sloped coop?

[gumpsgirl]

My coop sits on a slight slope and I'm pretty sure that speckledhen's does too. You just need to raise / level off the ends of the coop. I works out just fine and I actually like when how when it rains, it cleans my run because all of the poo washes on down the hill.

 

[anthonyjames]

You could take a look at my run. The slope I am on is not quite as drastic as yours but parts of my yard drop 4 ft in 8ft. So it is close. And where my run is it drops 5 ft in 16ft. So still a good slope.

http://gallery.me.com/anthonyjames420#gallery

There are a few images of the old run and the new run. On the new run you will be able to see the difference. The 2 x 4 wire mesh at the top is level. So you can see the differences.

 

[patandchickens]

If you are forced to build the coop downhill of the run, I would (strongly) suggest three things:

- make it a raised coop, not dirt-floored, and don't just use blocks, use posts WELL SET DEEPLY into the ground (there may be erosion/settling around them...)

- contour yourself a swale uphill of the coop, leading around and away from the coop, to intercept the water running down from the run. You want to leave a few flat feet between the coop and the start of the swale, and make your swale gently-sloped not a steep narrow trench. It will probably take at least a few rains/floods for you to get it 'tuned' to where it collects and diverts water properly; and then if the chickens take it to bare dirt, it may need periodic tuneups as the years pass.

- do your utmost to keep as much vegetation in the run as possible, meaning have as few chickens in as large a run as you can possibly bring yourself to make. Bare earth will erode and cause all sortsa problems, in proportion to how steep the slope is.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[NGT ANGL]

The area of my yard where the coop/run is has a downhill slope to it. DH built a raised box type base for the coop and built the 6' high run to go with the sloping of the land. All has worked out fine for us and because of how he put the coop on the raised box type base, even when it rains in torrents, the run area still stays dry - it is covered as well. Good luck!

 

[sashurlow]

Thanks for all the wonderful advise. I was mostly concerned about the fact that I haven't seen any pictures of sloped run, but by the responses here, its been done. I will make an erosion dike uphill from the run. I also plan on roofing the whole run (mostly for predator control) so that should help with rain a little bit.
Thanks,
Scott

 

[JessHall]

Quote:
I totally agree. I live on very steep property. I would put the coop above the run. From the photos, it looks like the area is pretty well covered in grass. If it's a dirt hill, just keep in mind that the terrain is ALWAYS changing! Also, I'm not sure where you live, but ground squirrels can wreak havoc on a hillside. But I see no reason at all that you couldn't put the coop and run there! In fact, it could look very charming! Good luck and kudos for using every bit of space you can!