My reservations on the dirt floor are drainage and predators. In my mind I can cover both of these concerns with a raised floor. But, for DLM and benefits of it, a dirt floor works the best. Fifty or more years ago (mostly more) coops were made of dimensional lumber, not sheet goods. The lower edges that came close to the ground survived the moisture pretty good. With primarily laminated sheet goods now used those lower edges don't do as well....wide splash board(s) would work very good here, I would think...they would also be good for predator-proofing in attaching a wire apron to.
I'm thinking that deeper litter would help push thinks towards starting to "come alive" in the litter. Can you add another board at the doorway to allow deeper litter? It seems there will always be a "dry" layer on top, but down below would be the moist litter...a deeper litter would allow that moist layer to be thicker while the top layer would help insulate it but yet be there for mixing and raking and forking over.
If you have pine straw available it will help, too!
You are very right about helpful folks on the forum. Good folks here.
Ed
I'm thinking that deeper litter would help push thinks towards starting to "come alive" in the litter. Can you add another board at the doorway to allow deeper litter? It seems there will always be a "dry" layer on top, but down below would be the moist litter...a deeper litter would allow that moist layer to be thicker while the top layer would help insulate it but yet be there for mixing and raking and forking over.
If you have pine straw available it will help, too!
You are very right about helpful folks on the forum. Good folks here.
Ed
