Coop Floor Dilemma

[Aunt Angus]

Hi, there. I am building a coop for a chicken-filled future. I have read just about every BYC thread dealing with coop floors, have taken into consideration many contributors' suggestions and advice, viewed hundreds (probably thousands) of images of coops and runs... I didn't want to start a new thread without first doing my due diligence, but despite my best efforts at self-edification, I still can't make a decision about the coop floor. I'd appreciate some feedback, if you are so inclined...

Background info:

• My coop will be 4' x 8' for 4 (maybe 5) hens
• Run will be 8' x 8'
• The ladies will free range part of every day and most weekends
• It will be a walk in coop
• I wanted a dirt floor for compost via the DLM
• I live in Northern California in a semi-rural area; won't be a problem keeping things dry here
• I've got raccoons, skunks, opossum, owls, hawks, rats, mice
• Got enough hardware cloth for an apron around the whole perimeter

After reading, I am now worried about rats. I still want a dirt floor, but don't want rats in my coop.

Some things I've considered:
1) Raising the coop a bit, putting in a floor, laying linoleum or applying a water-proofing membrane, attempt a modified DLM
Pros: Increased critter fortification
Cons: Cost, more work/time, higher profile that might annoy the neighbors, losing the dirt floor

2) Burying hardware cloth under the coop (not the run) and burying it beneath enough dirt that I can still enjoy a dirt floor
Pros: I still get a dirt floor, increased critter fortification
Cons: Lotsa work/time, cost, not sure how long the hardware cloth will hold up and maintain efficacy

3) I've become paranoid and need to just go with my original plan
Pros: I don't have to spend any more money than I already have, I get the dirt floor I want, DLM is good to go
Cons: Possible lost sleep over critter concerns, having to admit hubby is right about the paranoia thing

Good gravy.
I am a hot mess.


Help a girl out? What should I do? I'm starting to build THIS MORNING!!!! T minus 3 hours and counting..........

 

[Sagey_7878]

I think it’s way to small for 5 hens... Rats won’t be attracted unless you leave the food on the ground. Make it prefator proof.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thanks for the reply, Sagey_7878. Darn it - I thought the size would work. I can make it larger. I figured between 6 and 8 sq feet of coop space and 12 and 16 sq feet of run space per bird was within the "guidelines" I'd read about all over BYC. I will see what I can do...

For predator-proof, what do you suggest exactly? In addition to the apron, what floor should I implement?

 

[Sagey_7878]

Thanks for the reply, Sagey_7878. Darn it - I thought the size would work. I can make it larger. I figured between 6 and 8 sq feet of coop space and 12 and 16 sq feet of run space per bird was within the "guidelines" I'd read about all over BYC. I will see what I can do...

For predator-proof, what do you suggest exactly? In addition to the apron, what floor should I implement?

First you’ll need to put wire around by the whole of the enclosure, wire over the run, and possible even wire dug down under the run permimiter. For the run floor, you can use mulch, sand, straw or leave it bare. When I build my larger coop, the floor will be mulch.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I have dirt and deep bedding in my coop. It's adjacent to an old barn. Rats did get in under the common barn wall and from under an old concrete sidewalk for awhile.

I buried hardware cloth and galvanized stucco lathe vertically around the perimeter last winter. My coop extension has flat anti dig mats instead. Neither method has been breached so far.

My experience for what that's worth. You might be paranoid but you'd be right! If a rat can get in so can a weasel.

 

[booth2010]

My coop is 4x8 and this is what I did. I used PT 2x4 floor joists. There are a total of 5, one on the outsides and insides of the 4x4 posts attached directly to the post running the 8' and one right in the center running the 8 feet. The floor boards are PT decks boards which are relatively cheap at Lowe's. I have them butted right up against each other so even if I went with sand I don't think much would fall through.

 

[Aunt Angus]

First you’ll need to put wire around by the whole of the enclosure, wire over the run, and possible even wire dug down under the run permimiter. For the run floor, you can use mulch, sand, straw or leave it bare. When I build my larger coop, the floor will be mulch.

Yes to all - My run will be enclosed. I am worried about the coop floor. I was planning for an apron of hardware cloth. I can trench, too. Is that enough? Or should I put hardware cloth UNDER the coop, buried several inches (maybe 18 or 24) under the dirt?

 

[Aunt Angus]

I am now thinking I will not get chickens. There is too much conflicting information, and I don't think there is enough I can do.

 

[Aunt Angus]

My coop is 4x8 and this is what I did. I used PT 2x4 floor joists. There are a total of 5, one on the outsides and insides of the 4x4 posts attached directly to the post running the 8' and one right in the center running the 8 feet. The floor boards are PT decks boards which are relatively cheap at Lowe's. I have them butted right up against each other so even if I went with sand I don't think much would fall through.

I had considered this, but I worry the wood would rot. So I would have to raise it, which might make it too tall. I am thinking no chickens for me, at this point. Too much conflicting information, and I feel mighty stoopidd.

 

[booth2010]

I have it 1.5" off the ground so with the 2x4 and the deck boards I think I lost like 6" of height which isn't a great deal. I built it tall enough so that the only time I would have to bend my head down, and its only like 3", is if I were to stand against the back wall which I really would never do.

You cant let conflicting information discourage you from keeping chickens. Just like with everything there are many many opinions and there is not just 1 right way to do it. Everything I have read said 2sqft per chicken for the coop and 5sqft per chicken for the run is adequate so that's what I went with, although my "run" is roughly 1200sqft for 8 chickens.

Edit: I misspoke, I was thinking about the brooder I had been researching. It is 4sqft per bird for the coop typically. That is why I went with a 4x8 as I plan to have 8 chickens that free range all day. Sorry bout that. Your coop size sounds like it will be big enough.