Any reason not to remove the floor of the coop under the roost area?

[misterwaterfallin]

I am thinking of removing the area of my coop under the roost area to help with chicken poop build up. I have my hens in a 4x6 coop that sits about 4 foot higher than their run, which is 14x6(they also free range all day). I deep bed the run area, but use shavings in the coop as Im lead to believe deep bedding won't work as well there as the floor is wood. I am thinking of removing the floor in the roost section of the coop, and replacing with wire mesh maybe 1x1 or something so the poop will fall into the run and aid in the compost/deep bedding process. Is this a stupid idea? I cant think of any reasons why it wouldn't work with the only draw back being too much airflow but our weather is very mild here so Im not too worried about that.

 

[LizzzyJo]

I think the theory is solid, but the size of mesh may be difficult. Poop will cake and dry on chicken wire and hardware cloth. A big cattle panel type mesh will allow mink to climb in and kill birds.

 

[TheChicken-nator]

If you did do that and the girls fell they could hurt themselves, and the poop won't go through the wire mesh it will stick to it.

 

[misterwaterfallin]

Very true, that will be the hard part. I have the whole run secure and knock on wood no predator issues yet, so Im not worried about it being a point of access for anything that would cause harm

 

[rosemarythyme]

I deep bed the run area, but use shavings in the coop as Im lead to believe deep bedding won't work as well there as the floor is wood.

Deep bedding works fine in a coop. Deep litter can be difficult in a coop with wood floor due to moisture.

Is the floor completely unprotected? Regardless of flooring type it would help extend out the life of the floor if it was painted or had a layer of vinyl on top, etc.

 

[aart]

I am thinking of removing the area of my coop under the roost area to help with chicken poop build up.

@imnukensc (think I got the username right) has this scenario.
But it's warm where they live.

Welcome to BYC! @misterwaterfallin
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[imnukensc]

@aart is correct. That is the way my coop is set up. The welded wire under my roost is 1X2. Not all of the poop falls through, but enough does that I only have to brush it through with a deck brush or scrape it with a hoe every 3 weeks or so. Mine does not go into the run. It just goes under the coop where I can easily rake it out if I want to. My coop is 5X5 and I have 5 hens. I am in a very mild climate compared to many. The only "predators" I have ever had in my coop are rat snakes---like this guy just the other day. It was released/relocated unharmed.