Best coop floor cover for hot, sunny AZ?

AnotherKim

Songster
10 Years
May 23, 2012
275
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I was thinking about using DLM , but I'm worried about the heat it puts off. The sand method sounds good. I think if I put a shade roof over the run, I might be able to use it for the run as well. What do you guys think?
 
The heat from DLM is minimal or almost none if you just scatter it in a small coop and change it out every week or couple of weeks. True DLM is 6" or more and left for months, on a dirt floor. Of course I'm only guessing which you are thinking of.

I agree sand should work well at least in the run if shaded -- and I don't think you'd be the first to use it in the coop as well.
 
I've had problems with sand. I have 4 runs for my chickens. 1 run has sand in it. The chickens that are in the run with sand have the start of bumble foot. None of the chickens in the runs without sand have ever had bumble foot. Just something to keep in mind. Besides that, sand is not really practical. Sure, it's easy to scoop out poop with a kitty litter scooper. However, just because it's easy does not mean it's practical and it takes a lot of time to clean out a good size pen that way.
 
I was reading here about both methods. Hmm... I'll keep thinking on it. I have some time. I'm not getting my chickens until, at least, October. Between the extreme heat and the the crazy Monsoon storms, Summer is not a good time to get chickens.
 
DLM only creates heat when it is moist and can compost.
Here in the dry desert we don't have to worry about that so DLM works fine.
Cleaning it out every 6 months is dusty, make sure to get a mask.
 
Florida is all sand. The sand in the runs mother nature takes care of. The sand in the pole barn I have to scoop. I made a big scooper out of a plastic hay fork covered in hardware cloth. It works great.

 
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