Coop Is Flooded! What Can I Do?

[Ashley McDaniel]

So, after weeks of 5 inches of snow and ice being stuck to the ground and below freezing temps, it warmed up to 60*F the past two days, which melted this huge amount of snow and ice, turning my back yard and coop into a muddy swamp! The coop was a lean-to that is attached to our shed, slanted metal roof, dirt/gravel floor with straw bedding. The entire floor is covered with mud and a few inches of water. Wasnt a big deal when it was 60* but now we are in a bad winter storm, temp has dropped to 28*F and is steadily dropping. Ice started coming down at ten a.m. Followed by snow at noon, it's still snowing and will not be stopping until tomorrow afternoon. It's extremely windy as well. I was able to move most of the birds into the shed, which has wood floors, above the ground, and is dry and warm. Not much ventilation though. However, four birds are still in the coop, I'm waiting for them to roost so I can transfer them without any trouble into the shed. Will they be better off in the shed with no ventilation until this storm passes or should I keep them in the coop? How can I get the water out and keep the floor of the coop dry? It is pretty flat where the coop is, so I'm assuming all the water is from where the ground inside the coop had been frozen for so long, then thawed out when the temps increased. Their poor little feet just sink down into the mud inside the coop. I wouldn't think that was a big deal if it was warmer, but like I said, it's below freezing and I also have birds with feathered feet. Any advice, info, suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

 

[CapricornFarm]

Is it possible to post pictures, it might help people see where the problem lies. Sometimes you can get free pallets, maybe put some of them in temporarily to keep the birds out of the water. Maybe you need a raised floor.

 

[rjohns39]

It's not a good solution for the long run and will make a horrible mess once it warms up again, but any kind of absorbent bedding like straw, wood chips, mulch, etc and get it deep enough so their feet don't get wet. If you have kitty litter (clay) or PDZ you can add it first. If there's any way to get the majority of the water out first, that would help.
@CapricornFarm suggestion will work better, just put bedding over it.

As for the shed, just depends on how many cubic feet and how long. They will add humidity with their waste and breath and once moisture starts to condense, frost bite becomes an issue. I imagine you're already at a fairly high humidity with ambient air.

 

[Bald Bee Man]

Normally you can obtain pallets free or almost-free I would suggest you get some pallets put them in the floor of the coop that way the chickens can stay at least off that muddy dirty floor. It's a temporary fix that it gives about 4 in for them if the pallets are too big have someone cut them down

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Normally you can obtain pallets free or almost-free I would suggest you get some pallets put them in the floor of the coop that way the chickens can stay at least off that muddy dirty floor. It's a temporary fix that it gives about 4 in for them if the pallets are too big have someone cut them down

 

[cavemanrich]

You received excellent advice above. Short term solution may be to get a few bales of straw and line the floor. Pallets are excellent but not sure how accessible for you. Once the freeze is over then you do have to deal with the added humidity. Without seeing your setup, hard for me to suggest a solution.
Long term solution,,,,,, Since you see the amount/height of excess water level, consider raising your coop at least that much, when weather or opportunity permits. Build up the floor/ground with solid earth, sand , or whatever. Other option is to raise and build a floor above the flood level. You did mention that ground area is flat. Making coop area higher is best solution in my opinion.
A dry chicken is a happy chicken. As well as healthy. Wet feet can lead to problems you are better avoiding.
WISHING YOU BEST.....

 

[Splendid Medley]

The pallets will work, I had to do something similar in autumn durring weeks of messy rain. The floor was so muddy, cold, but not freezing temps. Under the hanging water and food area, and up to coup I lined up pallets. The girls loved it, like it was a game. It was for about a week until ground dried up enough. For freezing temps, maybe try a few bales of straw spread out with the pallets on top, look for ones with smaller gaps between boards, they are all different (local "big box" stores and warehouse/distribution businesses always have a variety). Also bales can help with snowdrifts. Just don't keep the wet straw around once weather has dried out. Do you have protection from wind and rain on sides? Good Luck!

 

[JustJill71]

Normally you can obtain pallets free or almost-free I would suggest you get some pallets put them in the floor of the coop that way the chickens can stay at least off that muddy dirty floor. It's a temporary fix that it gives about 4 in for them if the pallets are too big have someone cut them down

Super helpful post, even three years later as we are about to get walloped in NJ. Thanks