coop floor

[x3smitlj]

what are you opinions on having a coop run w/a floor of some type ... also having coop on legs of some sort or cement blocks. I suppose this would be helpful with rain and such. What are all of you doing? I cannot freerange so having it up off ground would prevent moving it around?
linda lou

 

[Darklingstorm]

I don't know exactly what you mean by flooring in the coop run. As long as the ground is well drained then a dirt floor for the run will be just fine. some people use sand to help with the mud. Still those with poor drainage and lots of rain will put down concrete (but is pretty expensive to do).
As for the cement blocks, my coop is on concrete porch blocks and stands 2' off the ground. This helps with rain, heat and predators.

 

[Judy]

It's also good to raise the run a bit above ground level so it drains well.

 

[x3smitlj]

so if your hen houses/runs are above ground ... what do the chickens walk on? wire? dumb question?
linda

 

[KnoxvilleChick]

My coop is at one end of my run. It's raised up 2-2.5 feet (the ground is sloped) on blocks and legs. The floor of the coop is just a sheet of plywood, well sealed. I designed it in a way that it's easy to replace the floor when it starts to rot from the bedding and poop; maybe next time I'll put down a sheet of linoleum when I install it.

The run (the outdoor part of the chicken space) is just dirt at my house. I add straw and wood chips occasionally to help with mud.

Hope this helps!

 

[x3smitlj]

Very cute! That helped alot - it is the coops one likes to keep off the ground, not so much the run. I have a deck on the upper level of my house where it is dry and unfinished underneath. I was thinking this might be a good place, especially during winter and bad weather. It is sheltered from above and close to my basement for easier care in bad weather. They would still get plenty of sunshine and perhaps in the summer months I can move it to a spot in the yard where it is abit grassier.
Love the pic - thanks!
linda