Yard Retains Water

[townchicks]

You could always just make sure you raise the coop and run with some pavers or cinder blocks, then fill it with mulch or other materials.

That's exactly what I did with mine. My yard slopes down, away from my house, and I have clay soil. So the spot I wanted to put the coop was at the bottom of the yard, and a muddy mess. I created a short retaining wall with cinderblocks, and filled the space with mulch, leaves, lawn clippings, used pine shavings from the coop, etc. Drains great. Deep litter.

 

[123RedBeard]

Get a truck load of gravel ... spread it out 3"-4" Higher than the higher parts of your yard ... get a truck load of chipped bark mulch ... spread that out on the gravel ... build run/coop on top of that.

 

[Acre4Me]

We have a pretty soggy yard when it rains and depending on time of year. Clay soil is part of the problem, flat ground, etc. We have some low areas around the run, and chickens walk through the areas and drink the water while free-ranging when we let them out. When it rains really hard, we have what appears to be a mini lake behind the run and to the side of the barn...its only a half inch deep or so till it can drain away, usually within a couple hours, but when there is only slight elevation differences, thats what happens, and then the ground is soggy for a while longer.

Our coop is elevated 2.5' above ground. We have an access deck and 4 steps up to deck with railing. We are in the process of installing a roof over the run. Our run (includes coop) is 50'x10'. The run was a dog run and is elevated slightly over the surrounding ground. It is also behind the barn, so is shielded from the usual prevailing winds. Just the slight bit of ground elevation is helpful. The areas that have the roof over them are quite dry, which is great.

The elevation of 2.5' above ground is great for the chickens - they love to hang out in the shade under there in the summer. Wearing a down jacket all the time makes them hot! Now that we have some of the roof up, they will be able to use some more of the run during the heat of the day once summer comes...and hopefully the whole roof will be completed by then.

Hopefully, you come up with an awesome plan! Raising chickens is fun!

 

[aart]

We have drainage pipes but when it rains it still gets pretty mushy in some spots.

Mushy or standing water?
How often and how long does 'mushy' happen?
Having a raised coop would be good, but gotta think about run condition as well.
I assume you'll have an attached run and space under coop will be included in that.

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
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[MandaRae]

Mushy or standing water?
How often and how long does 'mushy' happen?
Having a raised coop would be good, but gotta think about run condition as well.
I assume you'll have an attached run and space under coop will be included in that.

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1637170

I am located it north eastern Pennsylvania!

We had a really rainy summer last year and the yard was very muddy when you walked through parts of it. Like waking bare foot you sink a little. My yard slopes up from the house.

I've been reading about the deep litter for the run. That seems like my best bet.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I hauled in dirt to my run so my coop looks like it sits atop it’s own little island. The run has dirt berms to direct water to run around it.
This winter I tarped my run completely. My run has dry dirt and deep liter. Where as my yard has frozen mud and ice. Each spring I add to the dirt in my run after I clean out the bedding. It took a couple years to get it right.

 

[MandaRae]

What about under ground drainage pipes. That might work?? We have some extras ones i could bury under the run area.

 

[aart]

My yard slopes up from the house.

So your house is at bottom of slope...and 'flooding' issues at or in house??
Coop would be upslope from house?

 

[MissChick@dee]

So your house is at bottom of slope...and 'flooding' issues at or in house??
Coop would be upslope from house?

See that was my problem. We live by a creek and when we had the house built the lot had to be graded and dirt brought in Before the cement pad could be poured. Great drainage!
But every thing ran down to the edge of the property.
And where did I put the coop?? LOL it’s always a work in progress but it’s what I love to do.

 

[Acre4Me]

See that was my problem. We live by a creek and when we had the house built the lot had to be graded and dirt brought in Before the cement pad could be poured. Great drainage!
But every thing ran down to the edge of the property.
And where did I put the coop?? LOL it’s always a work in progress but it’s what I love to do.

Curious - does it rain much there? Nevada is pretty dry, and looks like Caliente is in a very dry area. Assume it isn't clay either?