I am in my last days of coop build and will have to finally decide on a coop floor for my deep litter method chicken coop. The current floor is 3/4" OSB. I am trying to decide if I should cover the floor with some cheap linoleum, or some sacrificial 7/16" OSB wood floor. If anyone has some opinions based on their experience, I would like to hear from you. If it makes any difference, I live in northern Minnesota, and can expect the chickens to be basically living in the coop for at least 4 months of the year.
Initially I was thinking of going with linoleum, but the more I have read about the deep litter method, the more I am learning that the litter should be dry, not wet, so I am second guessing my need for a waterproof/resistant linoleum. If fact, I now wonder if a sacrificial sheet of OSB would be better because it would actually soak up any moisture if anything went down far enough in the deep litter bedding.
I also was thinking that linoleum would be easier to clean out than a wood floor, but the more I read here on BYC posts, the more I learn some people go years without changing their deep litter. I am currently planning on cleaning out the coop once in the spring (after a long winter), and once in the fall before the snow falls.
The difference in cost, for me, is not really a factor as a 6X12 sheet of inexpensive linoleum is about $50, and the OSB sheets would be about $25. So for $25 difference, I would rather go with which ever flooring is better.
Currently I am using wood chips and pine shavings in the chick brooder. Their litter is about 4 inches deep and it stays really dry. I fluff it up about once a week and do not notice any wet spots. Also, there is almost no ammonia smell but if I start to detect any, I just throw in additional wood chips or pine shavings. Granted, these are still 6 week old chicks and not full grown chickens, so the smell issue may be an issue later. If the wood chips don't kill the smell, I am planning on adding some PDZ which has been recommended by others here on BYC forum.
I have no experience in deep litter coop floor coverings, so I have no strong feelings. Any comments most welcomed. Thank you.
Initially I was thinking of going with linoleum, but the more I have read about the deep litter method, the more I am learning that the litter should be dry, not wet, so I am second guessing my need for a waterproof/resistant linoleum. If fact, I now wonder if a sacrificial sheet of OSB would be better because it would actually soak up any moisture if anything went down far enough in the deep litter bedding.
I also was thinking that linoleum would be easier to clean out than a wood floor, but the more I read here on BYC posts, the more I learn some people go years without changing their deep litter. I am currently planning on cleaning out the coop once in the spring (after a long winter), and once in the fall before the snow falls.
The difference in cost, for me, is not really a factor as a 6X12 sheet of inexpensive linoleum is about $50, and the OSB sheets would be about $25. So for $25 difference, I would rather go with which ever flooring is better.
Currently I am using wood chips and pine shavings in the chick brooder. Their litter is about 4 inches deep and it stays really dry. I fluff it up about once a week and do not notice any wet spots. Also, there is almost no ammonia smell but if I start to detect any, I just throw in additional wood chips or pine shavings. Granted, these are still 6 week old chicks and not full grown chickens, so the smell issue may be an issue later. If the wood chips don't kill the smell, I am planning on adding some PDZ which has been recommended by others here on BYC forum.
I have no experience in deep litter coop floor coverings, so I have no strong feelings. Any comments most welcomed. Thank you.
