Chicken coop build 8’ x 20’

[3KillerBs]

You guys are the experts. For inside the coop, we plan to do deep litter. What material should we line it with? Husband is hoping it’s not UHMW due to cost. Is that the same as HDPE? Other idea is possibly laminate countertop material.

Deep Litter is a moist, actively-composting system that is *possible* but difficult in an enclosed coop. It works best in the run on a dirt floor.

Deep Bedding is a dry system that works well inside the coop. See the article I linked above.

 

[mowin]

You guys are the experts. For inside the coop, we plan to do deep litter. What material should we line it with? Husband is hoping it’s not UHMW due to cost. Is that the same as HDPE? Other idea is possibly laminate countertop material.

I bought the cheapest roll of linoleum I could find. I glued it down and built the walls on top to stop any lifting of the edges.

 

[Becks Chicks]

Deep Litter is a moist, actively-composting system that is *possible* but difficult in an enclosed coop. It works best in the run on a dirt floor.

Deep Bedding is a dry system that works well inside the coop. See the article I linked above.

Yes, deep bedding. I misspoke.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, deep bedding. I misspoke.

People get them confused all the time.

IMO, either system is better than having to clean constantly.

 

[mowin]

People get them confused all the time.

IMO, either system is better than having to clean constantly.

I don't clean constantly. I put a bale of shavings in each coop, and 3 months later, I sweep it into the run and replace with new shavings.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I’ll try and add lots of pictures so we can get feedback and advice along the way. It does rain a tremendous amount in our area. We’ll stake and strap the foundation this evening in case the river ever floods.

I get flooding issues as well. What does help is building litter levels so the run floor is a little higher than the surrounding area. Even an inch or two more helps. This was from this spring, which was a relatively mild flood.

I don't think sand or topsoil matters, as far as base material. I wouldn't count on either as a form of litter with our climate, so plan on having some form of organic litter on top. You have a lot of trees around, so deep litter in the run would be economically and environmentally the best choice. I pay nothing for my run litter and it saves me from having to haul extra cartloads of material out for yard/compost waste pick up.

 

[mowin]

I get flooding issues as well. What does help is building litter levels so the run floor is a little higher than the surrounding area. Even an inch or two more helps. This was from this spring, which was a relatively mild flood.

View attachment 3198585

I don't think sand or topsoil matters, as far as base material. I wouldn't count on either as a form of litter with our climate, so plan on having some form of organic litter on top. You have a lot of trees around, so deep litter in the run would be economically and environmentally the best choice. I pay nothing for my run litter and it saves me from having to haul extra cartloads of material out for yard/compost waste pick up.

That's mild flooding? You have floaties for the chicken's. Lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

That's mild flooding? You have floaties for the chicken's. Lol

Mild because the chickens can still go out, as the litter in the center of the run is high enough that they still have drier patches to walk on.

A previous flood submerged the run to about 4" deep and went under the coop, across 4 acres, and spilled across the roadway. I found stepping stones and railroad ties washed all the way into a pond several hundred feet away. The chickens were locked in the coop for 2 days but after 48 hrs the run had drained enough that they could come back out.

 

[mowin]

Mild because the chickens can still go out, as the litter in the center of the run is high enough that they still have drier patches to walk on.

A previous flood submerged the run to about 4" deep and went under the coop, across 4 acres, and spilled across the roadway. I found stepping stones and railroad ties washed all the way into a pond several hundred feet away. The chickens were locked in the coop for 2 days but after 48 hrs the run had drained enough that they could come back out.

That's nuts. If I flooded like that, half the state would be underwater. Lol.

 

[3KillerBs]

Mild because the chickens can still go out, as the litter in the center of the run is high enough that they still have drier patches to walk on.

A previous flood submerged the run to about 4" deep and went under the coop, across 4 acres, and spilled across the roadway. I found stepping stones and railroad ties washed all the way into a pond several hundred feet away. The chickens were locked in the coop for 2 days but after 48 hrs the run had drained enough that they could come back out.

I'll take my excessive heat, thank you.