Will a 4x4 base along covered run help keep it dry?

[762]

I am stressing out regarding the location of my coop/covered run. Basically all of our immediately accessible land runs downhill. It's not a steep grade, but down nonetheless. There is a section near the end of the back yard where it levels off...not completely level but more level than the general grade. That is where the fence ends and the woods begin, and where I want to build the coop. I was thinking of building the coop itself amongst a small group of trees on the yard side of the fence (shady most of the time in the hot summers, but would get direct sunlight once the leaves are off), and make the run in the yard area adjacent to the coop in the wooded area (L-shape).

I have read so many opinions on so many things I don't know what to think. Carolina Coops recommends grading the coop and run area to level and laying down treated 4x4s as the border to keep out rain. I fear completely leveling out the area will cause all the water to collect there...because it's all going down and it will be the first level spot. Will using a 4x4 border really keep the water out? They also recommend keeping the run flood natural, and not using sand, chips etc.

I like the idea of not putting the run in the wooded area...more for them to forage in. They will be free ranging for the most part, so they won't be spending a lot of time forcibly confined to the run.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Is it possible to build at the "top" of your land that runs slightly downhill? That way water should drain downward and you shouldn't have to worry about the pooling in the area that is flat that the bottom of the "hill". We built our run in this way. We have a downward slope to our backyard that gradually flattens out, but the flat part is where we get water build-up when we get heavy rains. Knowing that, we built at the top of the hill where it dries out much more quickly! (We still had to level everything, but it wasn't a horrible job with the right tools/equipment)

ETA: We used treated 4x4 (stacked 2 high) to frame our run and it has 8 in of sand as the floor.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

They are correct, to a point. It will keep water out as long as the level of the ground *inside* the run is higher than the ground around it. So, there are a few things you can do, as I see it:
1. Build up the level of the run with more soil, sand, gravel, etc. so that it's higher than the surrounding area and has good drainage.
2. Add a swale (wide, shallow ditch) around the run area, on the side(s) where the runoff is coming from, to divert runoff around the run.
3. Add a berm (hill) between the swale and the run to further prevent rainwater from penetrating the run area.
4. Do all three.

On a smaller scale, you could dig a swale and pack that dirt tight against the 4x4 curb on the runoff side, to build it up. That becomes your berm.

 

[3KillerBs]

The best time to figure out the drainage pattern for your land is when it's absolutely POURING rain.

When it's pelting down in buckets (or after a few hours of more steady rain), put your rain gear on and go out to your proposed coop area to make note of where the water is coming from, where it's flowing through, and where it pool. Landscape flags are handy for marking these.

Once you have a solid understanding of water and your land come in and make a cup of hot chocolate to drink while you plan where to put the coop and where you will need French Drain, grass swales, or diversion ditches.

But be aware that adding a roof that drains into an area will change the drainage pattern a bit. We're going to need to add gutter to Neuchickenstein because we're dumping too much water uphill off the roof for the natural drainage to handle (fortunately, a dirt-floored, open air coop with deep litter over sandy ground isn't too sensitive to water getting in).

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Now would be a good time to plan a rainwater collection system as well. Consider how you're going to get water out to that far corner.

 

[762]

I do plan on putting gutters in and collecting the rainwater from the coop and run. All of our land runs downhill...there really isn't a level area. Closer to the house is better because there isn't a spot that almost levels out, but shade is a problem. Also our friends said you don't want the coop too close to the house because of smell. But I'm also reading that the deep litter method works very well for smell. So I dunno.

We plan on having the chickens free range the backyard during the day, regardless. The covered run will be for yucky days or when we are on vacation (which won't be for awhile). The oldest 9 chicks are already almost 5 weeks old and the 20 young chicks are almost 2 weeks, so my priority needs to be getting the coop built. They are in a 4x8 outdoor brooder now, which I should have made taller.

I have noticed during absolutely torrential (record breaking) that the area down to the left of where I put the coop in can get really soggy. I don't think it gets too bad where I was thinking of putting them. I like that spot because of the trees. Excellent shade and our back yard gets LOTS of sun.

I'll take a video of the backyard and post it. Maybe y'all will see something I don't.

 

[3KillerBs]

I see that you're on the coastal plain portion of Virginia, maybe even tidewater?

What is your soil like? Clay or sand?

In any case, that's the hot part of the state so here's my hot-climate article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

And my coop ventilation article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

All of our land runs downhill...there really isn't a level area. Closer to the house is better because there isn't a spot that almost levels out, but shade is a problem. Also our friends said you don't want the coop too close to the house because of smell. But I'm also reading that the deep litter method works very well for smell. So I dunno.

This is my build thread for Neuchickenstein. You can see how we coped with a sloping building site: https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/23969601

Have you considered an Open Air design? They're terrific in hot climates.

Deep Bedding in an enclosed coop with a floor and Deep Litter in the run or in a dirt-floored coop is definitely great for keeping odor down.

There are advantages and disadvantages to having your coop close to the house. It's easier to tend the birds in bad weather or when you're having a crisis and you are more quickly alerted to crises. But 15 feet from our bedroom window isn't *necessarily* the optimal place for our cull cockerels (except that we put it on a place where we want soil improved for a future garden).

I have noticed during absolutely torrential (record breaking) that the area down to the left of where I put the coop in can get really soggy. I don't think it gets too bad where I was thinking of putting them. I like that spot because of the trees. Excellent shade and our back yard gets LOTS of sun.

Definitely avoid the soggy spot. Chicken poop + water = STENCH (not to mention potential health problems.

Shade is going to be highly desirable in the summer. Here in central NC if I can't put a coop in DEEP shade I find that I need at least 2-3 times the recommended 1 square foot of ventilation per bird just to keep the temperature under 100F on a 90F day.

But because of careful attention to airflow patterns and the design of the clerestory roof, Neuchickenstein is the coolest place in the yard despite being in full sun.

 

[762]

Sorry video is kinda long…sorry! Note that the direction I am initially facing (towards the woods) is DUE WEST.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

I worry the 4x4 treated wood will break down quickly. I live in desert climate of Idaho and mine did in my garden spot. Can you try pavers/cement blocks. This will also help to keep critters out when using hardware wire.

 

[762]

I see that you're on the coastal plain portion of Virginia, maybe even tidewater?

What is your soil like? Clay or sand?

In any case, that's the hot part of the state so here's my hot-climate article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

And my coop ventilation article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

This is my build thread for Neuchickenstein. You can see how we coped with a sloping building site: https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/23969601

We are right on the edge of Coastal Plains/Piedmont. Soil is fairly sand, but definitely still gets muddy. So yes, it can get VERY hot. The back yard gets a ton of sun. That's why I like that small grove of trees. Shaded with leaves on, gets a lot of sun with leaves off.

If we got rid of the trampoline (kids are 13+ now but still like it), it would be in the shade all year round until the sun is in the west because of the neighbor's cedars (that's why they kayaks are stored there). Also it's super close to the house and specifically, my bedroom window (my wife would never get to sleep in, lol!). Also, that's where I shoot rifles from to sight in...I have a clear 100 yard shot thru the back gate into the woods. Not sure how much they hate gunfire...I guess they would get used to it.

I'll be reading those threads you linked in a bit...