[MichaelW]

I’m building a new coop 66” W x 92” L and an adjacent run of 92” W and 192 L. The area I am placing the coop is a little low in spots, which I will be filling in with soil. I will be raising the total area for the coop and run by about 12-18”. What is the best material or combination of materials for compaction for support under the coop and run, but also good for the chickens to peck and forage through?

 

[robin416]

Sand? It's hard to picture just what it is you're doing. Is this under the coop? Is there any downslope where whatever you do can get washed away?

 

[imnukensc]

Hard question to answer. What's there already if not dirt? Why do you want to raise the area?

 

[MichaelW]

Sand? It's hard to picture just what it is you're doing. Is this under the coop? Is there any downslope where whatever you do can get washed away?

I am on a relatively flat area, but the soil is very hard clay. Therefore, during winter, it doesn’t drain very well, and during the summer, it becomes hard as a rock. So I was thinking to put decomposed granite under the first about 8 inches for stability and then use maybe sand but I don’t know what kind of sand so it’s not going to get washed away.

 

[MichaelW]

Hard question to answer. What's there already if not dirt? Why do you want to raise the area?

Thanks for the response. I live in an area where the soil is actually extremely hard clay so it turns to soup during the winter and then during the summer it’s hard as a rock so I want to build it up so I get some drainage out of the coop and the run during the wet season…so I was thinking to do decompose granite (DG) for about 8 inches under the coop and run for structural support and then do some kind of sand or dirt but I’m not sure what kind of sand or dirt on top of the DG

 

[robin416]

From what I just read decomposed granite can also turn to mud when wet. It can also wash away.

The only thing I can think of to use is sand. That's partly because I have no imagination and I'm familiar with it.

Build a frame at least as high as what the sand will be and pour that in. It can even help with the clay. You could also put down landscape fabric, if the sand is deep enough, then the sand.

 

[Sardonyx#1]

Raising the area sounds like a must. Have you considered putting a roof over your run? It won't stop the surface from drying out in the summer but it would help the mud situation in the winter. Makes things a lot more pleasant if you have to enter the run, shades the chickens from the hot sun and reduces predator issues a little.

 

[MichaelW]

Raising the area sounds like a must. Have you considered putting a roof over your run? It won't stop the surface from drying out in the summer but it would help the mud situation in the winter. Makes things a lot more pleasant if you have to enter the run, shades the chickens from the hot sun and reduces predator issues a little.

Thanks for the response… Yes I’ll be covering the run and that should help.

 

[imnukensc]

I'm not sure if my comments will help or not, but I'll give it a shot. I, too, am on relatively hard clay soil, but at least grass and weeds will grow. I do have a very slight grade of 2%. Half of my 16' x 16' run is completely covered with galvanized roofing and half isn't. In the fall, I gather/rake leaves and put them in the run to about a foot deep. It gives the chickens something to scratch around in when they're not out free ranging. My run is built totally on the ground and my 5' x 5' coop is about 2' off the ground. I don't seem to have any problems with drainage. I think if I were in your situation I would consider making a french drain around your run and coop rather than trying to build it up. This pic is before I added the other 8' x 16 run area.