Best Flooring/ Bedding

[PinkE]

My chicks are 4 weeks old, in a brooder on pine shavings. I love the sand idea, my question is...I have a new coop, the floor is Pressure treated plywood, using the sand should I paint the floor first put linolym down or just go right on the bare floor with the sand?

 

[epmchickens]

My coop floor is pressure treated plywood too. I think as long as it is dry and they don't walk on it all the time, which they probably won't due to bedding, it ahould be ok as is. My birds have always been ok on it.

 

[Suzierd]

I have a raised coop with linoleum I currently use pine shavings. Has anybody used construction sand in this type coop with good results? I think I would like to try the sand. Is the sand safe to put new baby chicks on? I think it would be a Lot easier to clean, I have them in a plastic tub with pine shavings now and I am constantly cleaning shavings out of the water and food.

 

[epmchickens]

Some people do but I use the pine shaving for my chicks. The best solution I have come up with is to put their water and food tray up on bricks. That way they can scratch around all they want and everything stays clean.

 

[Suzierd]

Some people do but I use the pine shaving for my chicks. The best solution I have come up with is to put their water and food tray up on bricks. That way they can scratch around all they want and everything stays clean.

Is there a reason you prefer pine shavings over sand? I will try to find something to put the water and food on. They are so little they wouldn't reach it on bricks. They are so cute!

 

[Keltara]

My chicks are 4 weeks old, in a brooder on pine shavings. I love the sand idea, my question is...I have a new coop, the floor is Pressure treated plywood, using the sand should I paint the floor first put linolym down or just go right on the bare floor with the sand?

I have linoleum on the floor of mine. I would recommend using that. It will always be a protective barrier between the bedding and the wood floor.

 

[Suzierd]

I have linoleum on the floor of mine.  I would recommend using that.  It will always be a protective barrier between the bedding and the wood floor.  

Good to know! I guess it will work for my raised coop then. I'm going to switch to sand. I do have a Silkie hen in there sitting on eggs right now. Would it be ok for the chicks?

 

[Keltara]

I have a quick question about the sand. My birds won't be free range per say...they have a run but there's no grass and their coop is a concrete slab currently. I am using pine shavings/straw combo right now and it's gross. lol Their current outside run is about 30x20 and they already love going out in it. It's just dirt but can get very muddy when it rains but when it's dry, they love taking dirt baths. If I used the sand, should I just use the sand inside the coop?? I would love to have a much easier job of cleaning and no stinky coop. Indiana summers get super hot and humid and I don't even want to think about the smell this summer.

Sand it great for the run. I have it in mine. It drains very well, and does not get muddy and dries quicker than dirt. The chickens love to dust bathe in it and your shoes stay much cleaner in wet conditions. I scoop the poop out of our run once a week and give a good raking. There is absolutely no odor what so ever in my coop or run. Ditch your pine shavings/straw flooring in the coop and lay about 4 inches of sand or so on the concrete. It will be clean smelling, clean on your feet AND the chickens feet, and super easy to maintain. A stall rake is a must for keeping the run and the floor of your coop clean. This is mine. 1/4 inch hardware cloth attached with zip ties:

Kelly​

 

[Keltara]

I have a raised coop with linoleum I currently use pine shavings. Has anybody used construction sand in this type coop with good results? I think I would like to try the sand. Is the sand safe to put new baby chicks on? I think it would be a Lot easier to clean, I have them in a plastic tub with pine shavings now and I am constantly cleaning shavings out of the water and food.

I have sand in my raised coop. It works GREAT! You can see here.

 

[Keltara]

Good to know! I guess it will work for my raised coop then. I'm going to switch to sand. I do have a Silkie hen in there sitting on eggs right now. Would it be ok for the chicks?

Yes, it's great for brooders and chicks as well.