COOP OVER CONCRETE>>>ADVICE NEEDED

[funkychicken]

Hi all...getting ready to assemble coop and run(counting my eggs before they hatch because I dont even have chicks yet..lol..But I must prepare!!)Anyway, my area to use is a concrete slab...good drainage...and figured that I would use straw in the coop and run for their little feet...am I on the right track..I thought that concrete(flat hard surface) wouldnt be good for their feet...any suggestions...


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[LynneP]

Our coop is a modified horse stall in a barn with a concrete floor. I like that we can keep the digging predators out. Have you thought about planking the floor, or covering it with a layer topped with vinyl flooring? It has the triple benefit of preventing condensation, providing some winter insulation and lessening the bedding you will need!

 

[funkychicken]

Actually I was considering putting a tarp down before I set my house down(a metal storage shop I got from Lowes) but DH reminded me that we put a vapor barrier down before we poured the concrete(that was several years back)...may still do it though...and one of the reasons for choosing this spot is so it would be "dig in" proof

 

[LynneP]

So condensation may not be a problem? It's a huge issue for us with concrete floors.The walls are vapor sealed but not the floor. Of course we have northern winters and you probably have balmy ones!

You will need deeper bedding than me, I would think, unless you plank or put a floor over the concrete.

 

[n2thestorm5032]

I have concrete for my chicken coop flooring and even though my chicks are still in the brooder I plan on putting Wood Shavings all over the coop floor for their feet, but it is also on a slant,

Not a big slant but a slant that looks straight even though its not. So thats good drainage if their is a leak or water gets in!

And EASY clean up with broom!

 

[BearSwampChick]

I think I've read that straw isn't a good litter for coops because it tends to get slimy. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I use pine shavings on a concrete floor and haven't had any condensation problems and we've had pretty high humidity at times. We don't have a vapor barrier either. But, then again, we've only been through half of one spring and so far this summer, so conditions could change.