Coop Floor Dilemma

[Dancing With Chickens]

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.

I know that finding the right design can be overwhelming, just think of your needs and your yard space. A smaller coop may be necessary, but at least it will keep your hens safe!

 

[snow5164]

Paint or stain will help prevent rotting ..... I use sand in coop and run , easy to clean , smells good and the girls dust bathe in it .... rats won’t like it like they like litter ....

Hi have a coffee and remember there are no hard and fast rules when raising animals , my coop doesn’t meet these requirements , my 21 hens are just fine

 

[Aunt Angus]

I suggest making the coop a little bigger. Remember, chickens are literally the most addictave creatures EVER! LOL! I made the mistake of making my first coop smaller, so I'm going all out a redoing a shed. Since you have so many predators, here's my suggestion:

• Make sure the coop floor is against the ground.It'll be perfect for you walk-in idea!
• Use wood on the floor and cover it with straw or pine shavings. Rats cant' get through the wood. It could be pallets stacked next to each other or wood boards. Straw and pine shavings make better bedding for the bottom of your coop, and if you have a run, they'll still get a bunch of dirt, especially if they free range. Straw makes a great bedding use for the Deep Litter Method and you can compost it. It also traps in heat easier.
• Make sure you have the latches out of reach of predators and use predator proof latches, especially if you have raccoons!
• Dirt will be harder to clean if it is a bedding

I hope my advice helps! This is what I've learned over past chicken coops.

I can't do more than that - hubby will not allow it. He originally agreed to 3 hens, but I thought that was too few. Maybe he is right, then. Maybe I will only get three.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I know that finding the right design can be overwhelming, just think of your needs and your yard space. A smaller coop may be necessary, but at least it will keep your hens safe!

Smaller? Do you have a suggested size? Or do you mean not a walk-in. I worry about cleaning a raised coop, but that's less important than predator-proofing.

 

[Dancing With Chickens]

I can't do more than that - hubby will not allow it. He originally agreed to 3 hens, but I thought that was too few. Maybe he is right, then. Maybe I will only get three.

That's perfectly fine! Three hens will be enough to lay plenty of eggs and give each other company! Is there anything else I can help you with?

 

[Dancing With Chickens]

Smaller? Do you have a suggested size? Or do you mean not a walk-in. I worry about cleaning a raised coop, but that's less important than predator-proofing.

You only need 2-3 square feet per bird, so a good coop size would be 12 square feet.

 

[Dancing With Chickens]

Smaller? Do you have a suggested size? Or do you mean not a walk-in. I worry about cleaning a raised coop, but that's less important than predator-proofing.

A walk in coop would be great! It'll mean you could hang the roosts on the wall and free up floor space. The floor only needs to be 12 square feet for three hens, or smaller since they'll be free ranging

 

[Tesumph]

The general rule of thumb is 4 square feet of coop per bird, and 10 square feet of run per bird. Your initial sizing is just fine, don’t worry about that.
Bedding preference highly depends on individual taste and climate. Are you a total neat freak, willing to spot clean both coop and run every day, and live in a dry climate? Then sand might just work for you.
Personally, I tried sand once and it was a disaster. I am not willing or able to spot clean and rake every individual poop, and my climate is too hot and humid so it was always gross and sticky.
That’s why I’m going with deep litter this time around, because it can handle a wet climate (if done properly) and is low maintenance (if done properly). I would absolutely not do a wooden floor in the coop or run with the DLM, but if you’re going with sand or even simply shavings then that’s fine.

 

[Sagey_7878]

Yep, plenty.

Thanks!

 

[moniquem]

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.

Don't NOT get chickens! I think your coop/run size is good for 5 chickens based on information on this site. My coop is 4x4, run is 8x7 and my 4 chickens have plenty of room. They also free range in the yard all day everyday! They actually never even use the run, unless its raining.

There is tons of information on this site, most of it helpful, some not. I started my mini chicken flock this spring and mostly learned from trial and error. You can dissect and overthink all day long and for years. Just jump in and do it!