About a concrete platform for our chicken coop

[hensintheHOUse]

Hello everyone,

I have a question about a chicken coop which is like the picture below. My husband has a plan to make the platform for our chicken coop.

I am wondering if it is okay for a chicken coop? My concern is no circulation/ventilation on the ground.

Please let me know about this.

Thank you for reading,
Akiko

 

[Folly's place]

A concrete base is the best, as no predator will dig into the coop. Ventilation is about windows and vents near the roof. Mary

 

[hensintheHOUse]

Hi Folly's place,

Thank you for your reply.

I thought that I can use these words for the ground as well.

Anyway, I was looking for somebody who has the concrete ground for their coops,but I can't find any.
I was wondering if it is a fatal issue if my husband build it.

For a good example, I have a chicken who has had sour crop since she was born, and ended up pendulous crop so that she lives with us inside. I keep her in a large dog crate for daytime, and I noticed that her nails has fungus recently. I clean her crate for 3-4 times everyday, at night she sleeps where she can perch on.

 

[theoldchick]

Most of us would love to have a concrete floor for our coops-unless you live in an low-lying area where water tends to collect. Concrete does not do well in damp areas and one must modify the design to allow for drainage. In some cases chickens will use the concrete as a source of grit and eat the material. Doesn't seem to bother them.

My Father-in-law had concrete in his chicken coops and his design allowed him to simply use a hose to spray the debris. He did not do this very often as the coops were located in the shaded area and the cement took some time to dry. In his case he could have used more ventilation to help dry the floor and prevent mold growth.

You mentioned your chicken had problems with her feet. This could be bumble foot which should respond to daily application of diluted iodine solution(warm solution works best) for a week or so. If you are dealing with scaley leg mites you'll have to not only treat the chicken but treat the area she stays in. With scaley leg mites I've had success with washing the entire chicken with a cat flea shampoo-making sure to soak the feet-rinse very well and dry the chicken. Apply a thin layer of Vics Vapor ointment to the feet and legs once a day for a week, stop for a week, and apply the ointment again for a week. During the three week treatment wash the chicken once a week, rinse well, and dry her. Remember to use a THIN layer of ointment as too much can retain moisture and prevent healing. Severe cases of infection will require oral antibiotics.

Treat your coop by throughly saturating the surfaces with permerthrin based barn spray. (Remove all chickens from treated area until dry-use fans to improve ventilation if needed. If the hen is in your house be sure to clean the area thoroughly everyday-including the material exposed to her. If you are using towels wash them in the hottest water possible (you can use the cat shampoo for this). If you are using shavings you'll have to dispose of them on a daily basis. This will help break the life cycle of hatching eggs, pupae and so forth.

Good luck and keep up the good work!

 

[4 the Birds]

Hello everyone,

I have a question about a chicken coop which is like the picture below. My husband has a plan to make the platform for our chicken coop.

I am wondering if it is okay for a chicken coop? My concern is no circulation/ventilation on the ground.

Please let me know about this.

Thank you for reading,
Akiko

My vote is "no concrete". Concrete is ideal for tool sheds, garages, or workshops but not for livestock housing. The reason not to have concrete is that concrete does not allow drainage (other than off to the sides) and it also absorbs liquid waste. Concrete can work if it is sealed well and with drainage trenches but that is costly. A raised wood floor with deep bedding will be cheaper and allow drainage. Even dirt flooring with deep bedding would be my choice over concrete.

 

[hensintheHOUse]

Most of us would love to have a concrete floor for our coops-unless you live in an low-lying area where water tends to collect. Concrete does not do well in damp areas and one must modify the design to allow for drainage. In some cases chickens will use the concrete as a source of grit and eat the material. Doesn't seem to bother them.

My Father-in-law had concrete in his chicken coops and his design allowed him to simply use a hose to spray the debris. He did not do this very often as the coops were located in the shaded area and the cement took some time to dry. In his case he could have used more ventilation to help dry the floor and prevent mold growth.

You mentioned your chicken had problems with her feet. This could be bumble foot which should respond to daily application of diluted iodine solution(warm solution works best) for a week or so. If you are dealing with scaley leg mites you'll have to not only treat the chicken but treat the area she stays in. With scaley leg mites I've had success with washing the entire chicken with a cat flea shampoo-making sure to soak the feet-rinse very well and dry the chicken. Apply a thin layer of Vics Vapor ointment to the feet and legs once a day for a week, stop for a week, and apply the ointment again for a week. During the three week treatment wash the chicken once a week, rinse well, and dry her. Remember to use a THIN layer of ointment as too much can retain moisture and prevent healing. Severe cases of infection will require oral antibiotics.

Treat your coop by throughly saturating the surfaces with permerthrin based barn spray. (Remove all chickens from treated area until dry-use fans to improve ventilation if needed. If the hen is in your house be sure to clean the area thoroughly everyday-including the material exposed to her. If you are using towels wash them in the hottest water possible (you can use the cat shampoo for this). If you are using shavings you'll have to dispose of them on a daily basis. This will help break the life cycle of hatching eggs, pupae and so forth.

Good luck and keep up the good work!

Thank you for taking the time to write back to me,theoldchick,

<Concrete does not do well in damp areas and one must modify the design to allow for drainage. Thank you so much!

Our backyard is damp because surrounding with lots of trees. I am glad to know the fact that we shouldn't have a concrete floor.





About my chicken who has fungus nails.

My chicken doesn't seem like having scaley leg mites neither bumble foot. Her nails only. I wonder what it is? When I clipped her nails couple months ago, the clipped nails looked rotten as see human's nail fungus.


Thank you again for all your kindness! I really appreciate it.
Akiko

 

[hensintheHOUse]

My vote is "no concrete". Concrete is ideal for tool sheds, garages, or workshops but not for livestock housing. The reason not to have concrete is that concrete does not allow drainage (other than off to the sides) and it also absorbs liquid waste. Concrete can work if it is sealed well and with drainage trenches but that is costly. A raised wood floor with deep bedding will be cheaper and allow drainage. Even dirt flooring with deep bedding would be my choice over concrete.

Thank you for your reply, 4 the bird!

I also agree with your opinion. I like your raised wood floor. It loos great too.

Wow, they look gorgeous! Thank you for sharing !!!
Akiko