Chicken Coop

[eagle227]

I have a 12 x 16 mini barn with a plywood floor that I am going to use as a coop. Should I use sand or pine chips to put on the floor? I have 15 Buff Orphington and 10 New Hampshire Red hens. I am very new at this and have many question.I would like to have something low maintenance.

 

[Chick Charm]

I'll give you an opinion. Mine of course.

If your flooring is plywood I would use pine shavings. Sand tends to find its way everywhere in a wood structure.

I have used both sand and chips. Sand is really good at drying out the poo and clean up is as easy as raking. Great for outdoors IMO. Sand is a bit dusty. Pine relatively cheap and great for a compost. Both are good but because you have a wood subfloor I would use chips.

Hopefully you can gather some more info to make a good decision for your situation.

Wish ya the best.

 

[Chick Charm]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have a wood floor converted shed that I put linoleum down on and then shavings on top of that. SUPER easy to clean. I am building a new larger coop and will do the same since it is working so well.