Dirt floor for run? Or something else?

So, new hen house and coop are almost finished! Ready for 7 10wk olds. We enclosed the hen house with chain link (6-8ft tall) and will top with wire. Currently the floor of the enclosed chain link is dirt. Is that cool? Or should I put something else down? Certainly weeds will sprout in the next couple weeks, but should I add something else to the enclosure? And, best recommendation for flooring to the house. Right now it's still unpainted plywood.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Cali in Eastern Colorado

Hi! On my first coop, I was very worried about a predator trying to dig underneath, so I put down wire on the floor of the run and then covered it with sand and dirt. Well, that was a major pain, because it was very hard to clean and I kept hitting the wire with my shovel when I did. On our next two coops, we did not put down wire and just left the floor dirt.

Congrats on your coop!

Thanks! We also buried wire... and I also lined my fencing with 1foot sq paving stones (just happened to have them on the property) hoping to keep predators out. We have foxes, coyotes, etc...

My main concern is the health and comfort of my girls. So is dirt ok? Or should I put something else down for them?

From the research I've done here dirt is fine. Some use sand, wood chips, shavings just about anything. I think I'm going to just leave dirt in mine. We are going to skirt our fence out to keep predictors out. I might add some sand in a corner for dust baths.

Hey...I have an elbert mailing address! I live north of falcon in el paso county but have Elbert mailing. Howdy neighbor!!!

Howdy back, neighbor! I'm in Elbert County. Thanks for the info. I guess we'll go with the dirt and add stuff later if I hear it's beneficial. I'm excited about our new hen house. My wonderful hubby built it to my specs and I'm soooo happy to get the girls out of the spare room! YIKES!!

Once I get it painted I'll pop some pix up. Thanks again for your input!

Cali in CO

The only problem with a dirt floor in the run is MUD. Even if the run is covered, a heavy ran will create mud issues. After your next big rain, spread some pine chips and compress. Your run will not have any weeds or grass soon after you introduce your chickens.

Howdy from your neighbor to your south, from New Mexico!

My run is an old garden that USED to have foliage in it, (chickens ate everything) LOL, but has now turned into one GIANT dust bathing area do to the drought. Being that we all have a sandy type dirt out west here, mud is never a huge issue. I have never had any trouble keeping my chickens on plain old dirt. During the rainy season, I sometimes will strew some grass hay around if the area gets a bit sticky with mud. The hay will keep their feet dry and off what ever mud might be there. But you will have to rake it up from time to time so it does not mold and the chickens eat it. They love grass hay. What ever you put down in the run makes it harder to clean up. I rake my run frequently and if you have shavings down, wood chips and such, you are going to have to replace them. I offer my girls flakes of alfalfa hay and also flakes of grass hay to which they love the leaves and seeds and the small grasses. This does need raking up occasionally, but is less expensive than replacing wood chips.

Choices for coop flooring can be a few coats of paint, linolium, formica, tiles, or vinyl boards... anything impervious and as seamless as possible.

In the run, I use what I have in abundance in my yard, leaves over dirt. I selected a high spot to ensure drainage. There is also a removable cover to keep the rain to a minimum. Moist ground = oder.

Thanks John for your input! My girls have been in their coop for 2 days now and seem to be pretty darn happy!
I appreicate your time!

Cali

Hey TwoCrows! Thanks so much for your info! As we have horses, hay and alfalfa are always abundant. I like that idea! I'm loving being a chicken mama! My girls are so darn cute! Thanks for sharing your ideas. I'm learning more every day!

Cali in Colorado