Dirt floor over concrete, has anyone else done this?

[chickengr]

Maybe cover the concrete with rubber stall mats, then put the dirt over that. It will keep some of the moisture from the concrete from entering the dirt, and if they scratch all the way through, the stall mats won't hurt their feet the way concrete does.

rubber is slippery, that might cause injuries.

I have concrete and it has never caused any issues. the roost is low.

wood ashes absorb moisture for sure.

 

[hayley3]

rubber is slippery, that might cause injuries.

I have concrete and it has never caused any issues. the roost is low.

wood ashes absorb moisture for sure.

I had issues with pine shavings over concrete because when they jumped down from the roost they would slip and slide. I finally lowered the roost to 24 inches.
And covering the floor with rubber mats would be too costly.

 

[aart]

rubber is slippery,

<scratcheshead> Rubber stall mats are not slippery.

I had issues with pine shavings over concrete because when they jumped down from the roost they would slip and slide.

I have shavings over vinyl, they do slip and slide sometimes, usually when a chase is on and more often when shavings are new, but not when jumping the 30 some inches off the roost board. I do have ramps tho and some choose to use the ramps.

And covering the floor with rubber mats would be too costly.

Not to mention what could grow under them.....and they are heavy as heck.

 

[Gargoyle]

rubber is slippery, that might cause injuries.

Stall mats are not slippery. They're heavy 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick and designed for horse stalls and trailers. They have a textured surface and the chickens cannot peck it or eat it.