A few questions for y'all

[idahomama]

We are in the middle of coop and run construction and I need a bit of guidance. I am a bit confused about dropping boards. We are doing deep litter method and have put linoleum on the floor to help with easy cleanup. Do I still need dropping boards under the roosts? should I put DE in with the cedar shavings on the bottom?

Also, how strong do I need to make our run (i.e. burying it, double-layer, etc)? The coop and run are in our side yard which is already entirely enclosed by a 6 foot wood privacy fence. Predators in the area include: hawks, wolves, coyotes, and foxes. I've never seen any in our neighborhood but can hear the coyotes at night. Any of the above mentioned predators have never bothered our cats or dogs, and I think our dog (100 pound GSD) is a deterrent to anything that might want to try hopping the fence - if those animals can even jump that high.

We bought a roll of chicken wire when we were out getting materials to make the run. Should we try something stronger?

Thank you all so much!

I have to add a funny anecdote about this coop. DH wanted NOTHING to do with the chickens or the coop. In fact, he was as anti-chick as they get until our 2 year old asked him real nicely. Guess who has now taken over the project? HA HA. It is now framed with 2x4's, insulated plus vapor barrier, has siding, two windows, and is being wired, etc.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
You never "need" droppings boards, but IME they are a really good feature, at least done the way I use them (for a single not multiple roost, and scraped off every morning [takes LITERALLY ten seconds] with the poo bucket removed from coop). You will have less smell, less humidity, and use less bedding.

If you don't use a droppings board, even with deep litter you will probably want to remove the pooiest deposits from beneath the roost every now and then (you could just stir them into the bedding but because it is such a condensed pure easy-to-lift deposit it's easier and better to just take it out altogether).

should I put DE in with the cedar shavings on the bottom?

Personal choice. I only sprinkle DE into places where there are crevices that mites could potentially hide in, I am not at all a fan of whooshing it around all hither and yon as a substitute for ventilation, sanitation, or keeping an eye out for pests to treat as needed. However, while having huge amounts around is probably not *good* for you or your chickens it won't kill them outright either, so, whatever you want.

Cedar shavings are a little bit questionable btw (particularly if the coop is not especially well ventilated); some people have used them for years without problem but pine shavings are probably safER.

Also, how strong do I need to make our run (i.e. burying it, double-layer, etc)? The coop and run are in our side yard which is already entirely enclosed by a 6 foot wood privacy fence. Predators in the area include: hawks, wolves, coyotes, and foxes. I've never seen any in our neighborhood but can hear the coyotes at night. Any of the above mentioned predators have never bothered our cats or dogs, and I think our dog (100 pound GSD) is a deterrent to anything that might want to try hopping the fence - if those animals can even jump that high.

Again, there is no one true right answer, it's just whatever you're comfortable with. Personally I would use good welded wire not chickenwire, and would have a couple foot wide apron to prevent digging, just because I am especially not fond of cleaning up body parts; but you might never have anything challenge a less sturdy setup. The biggest risk is almost certainly your own dog, good-tempered and Kind To Animals though he may generally be.

Unfortunately the only way to tell *for sure* if your arrangements are secure is when they fail and you learn they weren't. Which of course doesn't do much good in a planning sense. So i think you just have to decide what you're comfortable with, and go with that.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[bockbock2008]

My coop is 8 x 12 and has a droppings pit. on one end, a 4 x 8 section of flooring is replaced with wlded wire 1" x 2" and so all the poop falls through. My coop is of the ground about a foot in the back and ground level in the front. Every now and then i pull the droppings board out from under the coop and it makes clean up alot easier.