Buidling a coop in an old barn with dirt floors

[Realtree4]

I've been reading up on dirt floors in coop and I'm so torn on what to do. We have an old barn and we are going to build a 15x15 coop inside but my husband and I are disagreeing on the floor. We both agree to keep it dirt because 1) it's already there and 2) i'm going to do deep litter this go-round.

Someone told me that if you dig down about 1 1/2 feet with the boards then we should be fine. Someone else told me to do the apron with the hardware cloth and then others are saying to dig up the whole floor and lay down hardware cloth and then bury the cloth. WHAT TO DO? I'm trying to do this on a budget and honestly hardware cloth is sooooo expensive and we are already having to buy so much for everything else, so if I can avoid it, I really don't want to bury it. Plus, the ground is that really packed in dirt floor that has probably been there 100 years and my husband would have to dig it up with a shovel

So please, someone tell me what to do?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Can diggers, like foxes get into the barn?
If not, I wouldn't worry about it. Just build a solid structure that raccoons and weasels can't get in, use the deep litter and I think you'll be fine. I'm saying this, not seeing the structure. Every situation varies.

 

[pipemum]

I will tell you that almost everything loves a chicken dinner, and that most predators are really good at digging and are very, very persistent. I live where the soil is rock hard (we have to use a pick ax or jackhammer to dig holes), and I've still had a coyote dig under a buried board and gobble what should have been MY dinner(s)--12 meat chickens. Later, another predator ripped some cheap wire away from a fastening, and I lost another set of meat birds. It took several losses, but I FINALLY learned to not cheap out on predator proofing a coop. I live in the suburbs, surrounded by houses on a small lot...so, if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.

I don't think you'll need to dig up the entire floor and line it with hardware cloth, but think seriously about the apron method and burying the cloth on the outside of the coop walls. eta: of course, if diggers can't get in, than don't worry about it.

 

[Realtree4]

The barn is really old and lots and lots of openings. We are planning on making the coop extremely secure which is why I'm curious about the flooring. We have seen a fox run around and that's my biggest concern! Our chickens we have now are just in a homemade built coop but they are locked up in a small coop with floor over their run (they go out and free range).

How deep will the fox, coyote, and such dig to get to them? I will be out there every day, but will they dig past the two feet in one night to get to them?

Stupid question, I realize that

 

[Realtree4]

pipemum - I'm leaning that way....how deep down and then how far out should we bring the apron?

 

[jenniemig]

I've been reading up on dirt floors in coop and I'm so torn on what to do. We have an old barn and we are going to build a 15x15 coop inside but my husband and I are disagreeing on the floor. We both agree to keep it dirt because 1) it's already there and 2) i'm going to do deep litter this go-round.

Someone told me that if you dig down about 1 1/2 feet with the boards then we should be fine. Someone else told me to do the apron with the hardware cloth and then others are saying to dig up the whole floor and lay down hardware cloth and then bury the cloth. WHAT TO DO? I'm trying to do this on a budget and honestly hardware cloth is sooooo expensive and we are already having to buy so much for everything else, so if I can avoid it, I really don't want to bury it. Plus, the ground is that really packed in dirt floor that has probably been there 100 years and my husband would have to dig it up with a shovel

So please, someone tell me what to do?

I am doing the apron around my coop and run with 36" wide welded wire (2"X4" holes) . It is heavy duty and will still provide a barrier against diggers, and it is MUCH cheaper. You can also add hot wire if you have power in your barn.

 

[Realtree4]

What size of holes should the wire have? I know the hardware cloth should be 1/2 but would something with a 2"x3" opening work? Or is that too big for say a weasel or fox to get in?

Sorry, my husband would know but I'm thinking he'll just say "That will work" so he doesn't have to hear about this anymore.

Edited to add - oops, just saw the opening size jenniemig....that should teach me to read carefully

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That will be fine for fox. I believe a least weasel can get into a 2" hole. The hardware can be any size opening as long as a raccoon can't reach through and grab a chicken at night.

 

[jenniemig]

What size of holes should the wire have? I know the hardware cloth should be 1/2 but would something with a 2"x3" opening work? Or is that too big for say a weasel or fox to get in?

Sorry, my husband would know but I'm thinking he'll just say "That will work" so he doesn't have to hear about this anymore.

Edited to add - oops, just saw the opening size jenniemig....that should teach me to read carefully

I was able to get my welded wire from Lowes.com on clearance for a couple bucks a roll. I ordered it online and picked up in the store. They called it "galvanized steel poultry netting".

 

[ChickenCanoe]

pipemum - I'm leaning that way....how deep down and then how far out should we bring the apron?

The apron doesn't really have to be deep, it just needs to extend out so diggers run into it, then cover it. IMO regular welded wire fencing would work for the apron. You're just discouraging diggers.
If the floor is level, you may be able to do without. Just check daily that diggers haven't been testing it.