cement pavers for run floor?

[DavidMed]

I'm just finishing up a small coop and run for a pair of chickens in our backyard. The coop and run are similar is design to the one pictured here, but smaller, about a 3' x 6' square on the ground. We have a large dirt back yard and the birds will be let loose a lot of the time.

The problem with out dirt backyard is the soil is very a granular, dry clay that packs hard in the summer but turns to sticky muddy sludge with the smallest amount of water. I don't want the chickens on that in the coop and I don't want to have to clean a muddy mess every time I need to clean out the run.

I'm considering laying in some cement pavers over sand to the be the run floor. Anything wrong with that for the birds? Any suggestions for what to put over the cement if anything? Or any suggestions for alternatives to cement pavers that may be better?

Thanks for the help!

David

 

[tdepointe]

If you have the coop built on cement blocks like the one pictured and left spaces for drainage you could use a few inches of sand on top of the soil. This would allow for drainage and you can clean it easily, like you do kitty litter.

 

[DavidMed]

If you have the coop built on cement blocks like the one pictured and left spaces for drainage you could use a few inches of sand on top of the soil. This would allow for drainage and you can clean it easily, like you do kitty litter.

I was planning to use cement pavers across the entire floor, not just the "foundation". I think sand, even a couple of inches, will eventually just mix in with the mud, unless I add landscape cloth over the dirt. That could work.

Seems like pavers would be easier though, given the small footprint. Another advantage to pavers I see is that they will help secure the bottom of the run from digging predators (we have racoons), without the need to bury the wire siding in the dirt.

 

[tdepointe]

you could go with the pavers and cover them with shavings or wood chips. the hens would kick the sand right out through the wire because the floor would be almost event with the bottom of the wire. To use sand I would suggest a skirt around the bottom, a few inches.

 

[barneveldrerman]

I don't know if that a very good idea to use cement pavers to do that. I worry that they could get hurt with them, but if u put them tightly together and put sand it may work.I personally would put rubber mats, but like i said cement pavers may work.

let me know if you have more questions and good luck!