coop suggestions

[kcej0822]

I'm looking for a little feedback - this will be our first big coop and I have a few questions for the seasoned pros on here

First, a bit about our situation...we have an 80-run police dog kennel, so we need things a bit sturdier than we would to just keep out foxes and raccoons. We ordered a 20x20 ft carport for the main structure where the actual coops/indoor buildings will be. We will have four enclosed, outdoor runs off of either side (8 total), which will each be 5x16ft.

We're looking at different options for flooring - right now the area where the building will be delivered is on grass, but we know that won't last long. We're trying to figure out the best option to keep things sanitary and as clean as possible - so we're looking at the possibilities of sand, wood shavings, anything else I've missed or any other suggestions?

I'm sure I'll have a million more questions, but the outdoor flooring is what we're trying to tackle first. Thanks in advance!

kendell

 

[4 the Birds]

I'm looking for a little feedback - this will be our first big coop and I have a few questions for the seasoned pros on here

First, a bit about our situation...we have an 80-run police dog kennel, so we need things a bit sturdier than we would to just keep out foxes and raccoons. We ordered a 20x20 ft carport for the main structure where the actual coops/indoor buildings will be. We will have four enclosed, outdoor runs off of either side (8 total), which will each be 5x16ft.

We're looking at different options for flooring - right now the area where the building will be delivered is on grass, but we know that won't last long. We're trying to figure out the best option to keep things sanitary and as clean as possible - so we're looking at the possibilities of sand, wood shavings, anything else I've missed or any other suggestions?

I'm sure I'll have a million more questions, but the outdoor flooring is what we're trying to tackle first. Thanks in advance!

kendell

If I understand it correct, the coop or indoor area will be 20x20 under the carport and you want good flooring. The best flooring for a coop is one that is raised up at least 3 or 4" to insure that it does not get flooded during heavy or sustained rains. You can build up the grass floor with hay/straw/wood chips over time to get this higher elevation. Initially the chickens will scratch through the bedding to dirt bathe but over time the material will become compacted enough that they will not be able to scratch through. You will still need to add bedding from time to time. This will be your most economical choice. If your coop location is at high grade with good slopes on all sides then it will drain well and you are golden. Pouring a concrete slab would give you a nice raised floor but also your most costly option. You could also lay pressure treated 4x4'x or 2x4's on the ground as joists and then wood planking over the top for flooring (this is what I do). I have even used wood pallets with planks over top for a portion of my coop floor. The main idea is to keep things high, dry, and out of water and mud.

We got 4" of heavy downpours the other day and my coop and goat house area were high and dry. Both the goat flooring and coop are on raised wood plank floors up 4". Compacted bedding raises things up another 6 to 12" in the goat area. The surrounding water drained away after a day. Another tip is to add poop boards so that most all waste is confined to the boards for daily removal instead of on the flooring! Hope this helps.

 

[kcej0822]

thank you! What would you suggest for outdoors? Just leaving it grass and hope for the best? We're just worried once the grass gets picked through and stomped on, it will turn to mud.

 

[blucoondawg]

grass doesn't last long in a chicken pen especially a smallish one, I just leave mine dirt, I also let them out into the yard sometimes. If it is too muddy for a sustained amount of time it would be a good idea to have something in the run to allow them to get up off the muddy ground, perches or a pallet laying on the ground would allow them to get out of the mud, I would prefer to build the entire area up with sand or gravel so it is definitely not going to be low and have a water/mud issue, then add whatever bedding type material you want on top of the good base.

 

[4 the Birds]

thank you! What would you suggest for outdoors? Just leaving it grass and hope for the best? We're just worried once the grass gets picked through and stomped on, it will turn to mud.

You can leave it grass and keep a few bails of straw or hay to spread around when things get really muddy. My run is built up with straw/hay/wood chips so it never gets muddy. The problem time of year is early spring when we get a lot of freezing, thawing, and heavy rains. The rest of the year the dirt ground is not much of a problem. The mud is more of a problem for me than the chickens. They tromp and scratch in mud before things quickly dry out. Good Luck!