chicken run flooring

[Rose101]

I am planning on getting a small number of chickens and the area I had planned for them won't be available to me. I have an unused dog kennel that is 6'x12'x6'. It has a roof and I can line the chain link with hardware cloth. It has a rubber stall mat as a floor and was wondering if that would be ok with a thick covering of wood shavings. Coop would be built at one end of an appropriate size and above ground so chickens could go underneath and have the entire 6x12 area. If this won't work might have to scrap my plans on chickens at this time. I'm thinking maybe 3 or 4 chickens. Thanks in advance for any input

 

[chicmom]

Hello! That sounds like it would work for you. And wood shavings would be fine as long as the run is covered. I would just advise you to lock them securely in the coop each night, because various predators can climb the chain link during the night.

Good luck to you!
Sharon

 

[BankerJohn]

Have you considered sand or small pea sized pebbles/rocks? Check your local garden nursery or aggregate mining company... the cost is much less than replacing wood shavings on a regular basis. Sand is a one time purchase vs. wood shaving s needing constant replacement. In our area, 'screened' rock/sand runs $17/ton at the scales of the mine. About a ton, or a little more, would give a nice base to your run that will be easy to keep clean (think kitty litter scoop for chicken poo removal) and dry (sand has a low moisture retention and therefore less prone to diseases/worms that develop in wet flooring). As a plus, your girls will have an endless supply of grit

 

[Rose101]

Thanks for the info about using sand. Will check into it. I housed rabbits in this kennel for about 3 years with no preditor problem. That's why I had the floor so nothing could dig in and had a solid roof put on to keep preditors from climbing over but perhaps chickens attract more preditors than the rabbits.