coop floor

[bill3607]

Brand new to keeping hens. So, I am turning a existing former goat barn/shed into a hen coup. So, I know I need to build the laying boxes and a place for them to roost higher up. I am wondering about flooring in the coup itself. Right now it is just a dirt floor. Will the dirt floor be okay, or do I need to put in a wooden floor? Also, if dirt or wood for the floor does it also need some kind of litter (not sure the proper name) and if so what would it be?

Thank you for any responses.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

An actual floor is safer predator wise, but most of mine are fine in dirt floors

 

[3KillerBs]

Dirt is good if you've got exterior protection against digging predators. It would also make a deep litter system work better if you choose that method of managing the manure.

An absorbent bedding is a good idea even if not doing deep litter because the plain dirt would become saturated with chicken manure.

 

[bill3607]

Dirt is good if you've got exterior protection against digging predators. It would also make a deep litter system work better if you choose that method of managing the manure.

An absorbent bedding is a good idea even if not doing deep litter because the plain dirt would become saturated with chicken manure.

Thank you for the info. What is used for deep litter or absorbent bedding?

 

[bill3607]

An actual floor is safer predator wise, but most of mine are fine in dirt floors

Thanks for the info!

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you for the info. What is used for deep litter or absorbent bedding?

Any material that would be classed as a "brown" for compost. Some of the most popular include:
Wood shavings
Straw
Pine Straw
Fall Leaves
Wood Chips
Wood Pellet Bedding (sold for horse stalls)
Rice Hulls
Shredded Paper
Other Locally-Available Materials

IMO, a mix of materials and textures is best because some things will pack, mat, and/or create anaerobic pockets if used on their own.

 

[bill3607]

Any material that would be classed as a "brown" for compost. Some of the most popular include:
Wood shavings
Straw
Pine Straw
Fall Leaves
Wood Chips
Wood Pellet Bedding (sold for horse stalls)
Rice Hulls
Shredded Paper
Other Locally-Available Materials

IMO, a mix of materials and textures is best because some things will pack, mat, and/or create anaerobic pockets if used on their own.

Very helpful info. I really appreciate it.

 

[aart]

Does the floor stay dry.....no seeping of rain in under the edges?
Pics would be great!
Here's some tips about heights:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture
-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.
-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.
-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.
- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.
-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).
There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.
That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 7 years.