Coop Floor in Texas

[pkgal21]

I'm building my first coop out of an existing frame in the ground that I built for another purpose.

I'm thinking I would like to forgo actual flooring and layer with crushed granite then sand. I'm not worried about moisture sine I live in a hot climate. I'm going with a three sided design with the open side facing north.

Now my big question is, should I leave the sand as is, or would it benefit to add a layer of something else? Or I could do crused granite, then a thick layer of another bedding. My main concerns are something that stands up to heat but will also dry out easy if wet.

 

[cavemanrich]

The sand should be fine. I suggest using course grade sand VS fine play sand. There is a thread here discussing sand in coops and runs. It went silent/inactive about 2 years ago. Peeps were divided on that subject like the Hatfields and McCoys. I was on the side favoring sand. Have used it in coop and some in run. In coop I use it as a base, after which I cover it with hay, grass clippings, or straw. Whatever I have on hand.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,, and

 

[imnukensc]

I would probably forgo the granite entirely. I would have my open side facing south. I don't know how far north in TX you are, but "panhandle north" can get pretty cold, snowy, and windy. I would assume your prevailing winds, at least the cold, wintry ones, are from the north/northwest.

 

[aart]

Coarse sand instead of granite for sure.....especially if you want to scoop the poops.

 

[Kiki]

I would like you to read this post #8, it's about the deep litter method....I think it's the best.

 

[pkgal21]

The granite for me is really just a base to help with drainage. The sand would be several inches thick, so the granite wouldn't be near chicken feet. I'll also be installing gutters to take excess water around the side of my house. I was wondering if I should have something soft on top of the sand in thin layer. Not for poop purposes, but for comfort.

As far as the DLM goes, I've looked at it and I just don't see it as something I really want to manage. We don't have a compost, and I'm not sure it's even allowed in our area. We're not to that phase of backyard warriors yet. So there's no real benefit there for us.

For the North vs South thing, my back porch is south of the coop and its where we'll collect the eggs from. For cold/windy days, I am going to make a 'latch on wall' of sorts. I'll build the north side with no wall but build a removable wall that latches on during the colder/wetter months. Last year was a heavy rain season, but it's not always that way.