what a great design. I didn't realize all the options. we'll consider this one!
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Hi Trish,
I have to add my thanks to the list, because I have switched from wood shavings to pdz in the tray that slides out of my Eglu-- I have a plastic eglu classic...and the Eglu has a deck above the slide out tray so that you can even slide out the tray while the chickens are in the little coop.
By replacing the wood shavings with pdz, I have a lot less bulk to scoop-- have yet to dump the entire amount there....do think of the zen sand raking experience with the kitty ltter poop scoop---and there is not any smell or flies... Not that there was before -- because if soiled you just dump the wood shavings and refill -- but the wood shavings add up fast. I think I only used about 1/3 of a 25 pound bag from TSC - they had the granules. It was easy before, and now it is even easier..... Your idea is pure genius.
My Dad built our first (yes..we are getting ready for no. 2) chicken coop because my mom wanted to share the joy of chickens with her grandkids. Mom is 65 and just wanted us to all have that experience. She didn't remember that chickens pooped. We laugh about that a lot because they do poo a LOT! She also remembers a dirt floor so that might be why she doesn't remember chickens pooping as that would compost.
There is a flat area under the roost. We tried the cedar chips when they were little but the area seemed wet. We later went to using newspaper that we left for a week at a time and then added to the compost area which then was overflowing with paper bits. After doing some research and reading about other Chicken Litter Collection options, I found a product called Stall Dry at the local Orscheln's,. It has solved all our problems with the smell and especially the time it would take in the mornings to get the girls going. I wasn't sure if the girls would bother it or not but they just don't.
Stall Dry
This is a night picture when everyone has gone to roost this winter. We originally had 2 x 2 they roosted on but as winter came on, we found a pallet to cut down and lay over which has the 4 in width to sit on for their feet. The girls sit about 10 inches above the litter board and poop and sleep all night.
Morning from the same angle. The girls leave and go outside which allows me to take a kitty litter scoop and a bucket and get busy.
As you can see, the poop falls into a tray (and on the rails also) that has 4 inch sides and a few inches of Stall Dry.
I want to thank everyone who contributed to this VERY LONG thread. I think when I researched it finished around 65 pages but it still grows. I'll post other pictures of coup 2 when we are further along.
Denise
I am in the process of converting a dog house that is roughly 4x4 (a bit bigger than that), with a roof that slants from front to back. I'm not sure what the height is at the back, where the ceiling is lowest. My question is this: I would LOVE to have a poop board in there, but I am not sure how to manage it in a tiny space. Suggestions? Also, would it be more feasible to simply cover the floor of the coop/dog house with sweet PDF, and scoop as needed?