Aviary > Coop

[chaks1]

Hi

I'm attempting to convert an 8x5ft former aviary into a chicken coop and run and looking for advice. I'm a beginner so thanks for any help you can offer appreciated and sorry if I'm asking a stupid question.

My main problem is the base of the aviary is wire, with a gap below and trays underneath for easy cleaning. Obviously that is not going to be comfortable for chickens to walk around on and scratch, so I need to somehow convert this to a flat surface that I can put straw down on.

I am considering laying wooden boards over the trays, so when I come to clean I can remove the boards and let the waste drop down and clean out through the trays.

OR I forget the tray system altogether and fill the whole base with sand to give them a sand base, which is sounds life for a lot of people has been a good base, but then I'm not sure how I clean.

What do you think, and do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks BYC

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Pictures will help here, and wire is definitely not a good base for chickens. Waste won't really fall through it, either. Can you rebuild it with a solid floor? Pictures and dimensions are needed to give good advise! Mary

 

[chaks1]

Thanks Mary. I'll take some pictures and upload.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

Ditto on the pics....also what is your climate?
Putting your location in your profile can help folks give better answers/suggestions.

How many chickens do you plan on having?
Are they for eggs, pets, meat?

 

[chaks1]

Here are some pics

 

[chaks1]

 

[chaks1]

 

[chaks1]

 

[chaks1]

So you can see the problem...need to get a different floor in there but difficult to rebuild because of the whole set up. This is an inherited aviary from the previous owner.

 

[chaks1]

I'm in California and I'm planning on getting 2 or possibly 3 chickens. The aviary is 8ftx5ft