Coop Help

[Babymoma69]

Welcome

I agree I'm still new to this but the sand is so much better in my opinion! No smell, drys poop fast and easy to pick up! I can tell the chicks love it on there feet to lol

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to BYC, it would seem that sand is a favorite here.

 

[Ballerina Bird]

This is all good advice. My run is divided into two parts. One part is covered, which has a sand floor, and one part is open (with hardware mesh roof), which has a dirt floor. Having a combination of both is nice because sometimes dirt can be easier for chickens to find interesting bugs and stuff in. Bugs don't seem to hang out as much in sand, which is obviously good in a lot of ways but can make things less fun for your birds, esp if they are not free ranging all the time. For both types of floor, I agree with the comments that say keep it all as dry as possible. I also add Sweet PDZ to the sand part of the run; I like it, but different people have different opinions about how well it controls smell.

 

[shortgrass]

Yep. With your small area, sand would be the best bet. Easy to clean, fast draining when wet, they like to dust bathe in it, helping keep mites at bay...

Straw may call fungus gnats, and those little buggers drive everyone nuts, not to mention if it gets wet and starts to break down, it may smell even worse.

You could always plant some clover along the edges or something for them to peck and nibble; its a little tougher than grass.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[mom98312]

Sand.. it drains, does not MILDEW and you can rake up the ground from droppings. Give your flock some shade and a place to DUST themselves.. Keep the coop clean and there should be no smell.