Does a coop need a bottom

[JennH07]

Hi, I have 8 6 or 7 week old chicks and 2 1 or 2 day old chicks, this is my first flock. I have a old coop in my yard from the previous home owners, it is small with only about 4 roosts in it, and it is about 6" off of the bare ground with no floor what so ever. My Hubby was going to add a few nesting boxes to the side of this , but I have started wondering if it needs to have a floor. I was going to put my chicks (the older ones) out into the coop and run this weekend, but it's supposed to get down to 40 degrees at night, there is a heat lamp out there for them, but not sure if they would get cold anyways without a floor and the wind blowing in. Help!! Thanks, Jenn

 

[HEChicken]

If its 6" off the ground, then yes, it needs a floor. Without a floor, they will be vulnerable to predators, if nothing else. My coop had no floor but I had some linoleum lying around from another project so I cut a piece that is 2" bigger than the coop all the way around, laid it on the ground and put the coop on top. Works great and makes it easy to scoop out the poop.

 

[JennH07]

Oh, good idea, never thought of that, thanks!!!! The hubby was talking about maybe making it higher off the ground, but I'll let him know that we will need to have a bottom on it if he does. We are using this coop as a temporary coop until we build something bigger by the end of summer.

 

[ColoradoMike]

Post some pics!

My coop is about 2' off the ground, giving the hens access to that area enlarges their secure run square footage...