Bags of mulch under the coop?

[CarlaCo]

Hi all. I have an idea for the winter, which can be pretty brutal here. Our tractor coop is about 14” off the ground. They love going under there, but I’m not keen on trying to keep it clean under there during snow and cold, and it’s difficult to catch or corral a wayward chick.
So I know our unopened bags of mulch generate a bit of heat and I wondered if anyone sees any downside to placing bags under the coop to both block their entrance and provide a little ground insulation.
Here’s the oh so pretty, overly expensive, super badly designed, too heavy, solving one problem at a time coop we have.

 

[DobieLover]

Hi all. I have an idea for the winter, which can be pretty brutal here. Our tractor coop is about 14” off the ground. They love going under there, but I’m not keen on trying to keep it clean under there during snow and cold, and it’s difficult to catch or corral a wayward chick.
So I know our unopened bags of mulch generate a bit of heat and I wondered if anyone sees any downside to placing bags under the coop to both block their entrance and provide a little ground insulation.
Here’s the oh so pretty, overly expensive, super badly designed, too heavy, solving one problem at a time coop we have.

You don't want to block it off. They will need that space. They are already going to be very crowded.
Don't worry about cleaning it out until spring.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

I agree with @DobieLover - don't block it off and don't worry about mucking it out until Spring. Instead, consider wrapping plastic around the run and the bottom of the coop. Blocking the wind/snow is super helpful in retaining heat and easier to do than trying to generate it.

 

[3KillerBs]

The very last think you want to do with a tiny coop like that is to further reduce the space, especially going into winter when the birds may not be willing to go out into the snow.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

I've not blocked mine off. Provides lots of shade and a really good dust bathing spot for the ladies!

 

[Saveria]

How many are in your flock? They probably would like the room. In the winter I just try to toss some pine shavings in places that they leave droppings. Since parasites can't grow till the temps are above freezing, I don't worry about it as much in the winter.

 

[TinyRaptorDodos]

You don't want to block it off. They will need that space. They are already going to be very crowded.
Don't worry about cleaning it out until spring.

I did the not cleaning till spring once and there was mold in the coop by the time I cleaned it out and it took nearly five hours to clean… so not recommend if you have a long winter

 

[Saveria]

I did the not cleaning till spring once and there was mold in the coop by the time I cleaned it out and it took nearly five hours to clean… so not recommend if you have a long winter

I'm pretty sure they were talking about the run under the coop, so that part is outside. I don't think that would mold up, but shavings to pull out the moisture should help either way.

 

[TinyRaptorDodos]

I'm pretty sure they were talking about the run under the coop, so that part is outside. I don't think that would mold up, but shavings to pull out the moisture should help either way.

Oh right chickens normally leave the coop in the winter… I was thinking of JUST in the coop, my old chickens refused to leave the coop last year, maybe this year they’ll go out

 

[Saveria]

Oh right chickens normally leave the coop in the winter… I was thinking of JUST in the coop, my old chickens refused to leave the coop last year, maybe this year they’ll go out