Coop /run question

[Carenm]

Our coop floor is dirt and we were going to throw pine/aspen shavings down . I read somewhere here that someone used plywood so diggers can't go through the bottom, my husband said no but I keep begging. His reason is " they like to scratch". We have never had chickens before so I am clueless.

What do you use on your coop floor?



And, the run? Right now ours also dirt. I assume shavings would get wet and moldy, what other ideas are there, or is dirt ok?

 

[Domestic_goddess]

Depends on your predators. I have a dirt floor on one of my coops..with a chicken wire skirt around it. My other coop has plywood.....not as easy to clean, so I always put straw or pine shavings on the floor. I've heard sand is good.....I'm going to try doing that this spring, when the weather warms up.

 

[annie3001]

hello.
i would highly recommend putting a floor down in your coop, if you want to keep your chickens?

a predator will get your chickens underneath.
once youve put a floor which can be plywood, then you can actually put lineom on top, for easy cleaning. then you can spread out a even amount of pine shavings.

as for your run. have you put 12 inches of hardwire cloth along the bottom of the sides? if so, as recommended then dirt is just fine.
do you have a tarp ontop of your outside run? if so, the run should generaly be dry from rain and other elements.

good luck


andrea-

 

[Carenm]

Oh hi from Utah!! I lived in Utah for 6 years before moving to the desert of TX. Miss Utah!!!!!

I am not sure what predators we have. I do know we have coyote, hawks, and a few others.

 

[holachicka]

DH is building the coop, and is putting down a concrete floor, surrounded with cinder blocks, so I can spray it out with the hose once or twice a year... I think that you could easily dig a trench around your coop and either throw in some concrete, bricks or hardware cloth to prevent digging predators from getting in... anyone else have some ideas? Do you know what kind of predators are in your area?

 

[teach1rusl]

The thing is, with a dirt floor, digging predators can dig under the edge of the building and get inside. So if you're not going to put down a solid floor, you really need to add a wire "skirt" around the bottom edge of your building (digging preds. typically dig close to the structure) that extends out maybe 18-24 inches. You can just fix it to your coop with those u shaped post nails. I have plywood with vinyl on it for easy clean-up.

Dirt is fine for a run, except that it'll get nasty muddy when it rains (unless your run is covered?). Some folks put down a layer of crushed rock w/a layer of sand on top of that for good drainage and for easy clean-ups (rake or scoop droppings out).

ETA: Guessing when you mention a dirt floor in your run that you're talking strictly dirt, no grass...

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

I like to make sure that my runs and pens have creek gravel, and lots of it. Helps with the rainy season, not nearly as messy. Of course, I make sure that there is plenty of area for them to take their "dust baths" and most often will have several large areas of sawdust for them to use. The gravel has to be replaced periodically due to their constant digging and scratching.

Never, never use hay, straw, or wood shavings on a wet muddy run-it only makes it worse!

Take it from me, it only makes for a bigger stinkier mess to have to clean up. Small gravel and dusting materials is the way to go, sand is good, too!

 

[Kittymomma]

I have a plywood floor with lino glued over it. I put shavings down on top of that. The plywood keeps it safe and the lino makes it easy to clean.

ETA: I caulked around all the edges so I can take the pressure washer in there for the big spring clean. I also painted the inside with an outdoor enamel paint that I got for $5 a gallon from the H.D. oopsie bin.

 

[Carenm]

Quote:
We live in the desert and don't get much rain so that I am not so much worried about. They do have a cover to keep hawks out

 

[Carenm]

Quote:
See that is what I want to do but my DH is resisting. Ughhh