Cement floor....smooth or rough?

[Intheswamp]

For a cement floor is a relatively smooth surface better than a more rough/brushed surface?

The reason I ask is that I've read where folks had trouble shoveling out old litter because it was sticking to the floor too much. Once a layer of litter is down on the floor it shouldn't be slippery, but....

ETA: Going a bit further here...would it still be a good idea to go down with some cheap linoleum?

Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Ed

 

[KattyKillFish]

good question!
if i was faced in your position, i would go rough because i have a pitchfork, and i have never made my coop 'spotless', but i do keep it clean. just use a pitchfork to get the old yucky hay out and put new hay in.

linoleum is a great idea, too! i've seen lots and lots of coops with linoleum floors!

wood floors are good too, my aunt does it that way.

 

[CMV]

I vote in favor of linoleum! I love it!

 

[ducks4you]

You would be happiest with a rough surfaced, cement floor. The rough surface will keep your birds from slipping--better than smooth. You can take a hose with a sprayer and clean it. Also, if it rains buckets, your birds will be dry, at least by the floor.

You COULD go with vinyl. I'm seriously thinking about it, especially since I have a remnent available that will fit (no extra cost involved.)

(notice that I haven't become a "linoleum Nazi", despite my post!!)

I don't think you want wood. There are many acids from bird "poo" that will eat away at a wood floor. Any water and wet food will decay and do the same. It will take years, BUT, who wants to redo a floor?

 

[patandchickens]

I vote for smooth cement floor, but well-bedded with plenty of shavings or whatever. Best of both worlds.

Pat

 

[chickens3]

Go with what the other people said it will work out just fine that way.

 

[giasmom]

When I put my cement floor in , I got it fairly smooth then let it set a few hours then went over it with the broom. After that set a day I took my scoop and ran the flat edge acroos the floors to make sure there would be no burrs to catch the scoop when I started to scoop it out. It works very well this way for me and the floor still has good grip on it. No slickness when it is wet Also makes it safer for my dad (he's elderly) when he goes out to work or visit with the chickens. Hope this helps.

 

[Rogue Rooster]

I have had both in dog kennels and would never again have a rough surface again. All the poop got into the rogue surface and smelled and I was unable to keep it from stinking, even when washed. My kennel that i have now is smooth and cleans well and smell free. one more thing if you pour a concrete floor be sure to put at least a 4" curb around the edge, otherwise the crack around the edge will hold poop and stink also.

 

[antlers]

Rough ONLY for Large animals like Cows or horses. Even then think hard. Very hard to keep clean, hard on shovels and forks when you clean and stink worse like R Rooster says. With straw or shavings, birds will not know the difference.

 

[cmjust0]

If I were putting all that money into a concrete coop floor, I'd want it slick enough to check my hair in -- and then I'd seal it. Think about all the folks who put slick vinyl floor down on wood or rough concrete to make it easier to clean...