Easy to clean material for coop floor- HELP!

[OldMacDonald]

WOW- this forum is like a chicken university!

Still building my first coop and after talking to the experts here I changed my design. I had originally planned to have a wire floor for the chicken "house" for easy cleaning. Anyway, with that idea disposed of I was trying to find another good material.

I know most just use wood. But what do you think about Formica covered particle board. Actually, I have a couple of counter tops taking up space and since they are so easy to clean in the kitchen, why not for the chicken coop? Formica is waterproof so all the mess won't soak in. I have a little backyard in the city so smell is an issue. I want to make it as easy to keep clean as possible.

So, what's the verdict on kitchen counter top material? The particle board side would be down so it shouldn't soak up any of the mess. And if I caulk the seams it should be pretty waterproof. I don't plan on hosing it out or anything, but it sure would be nice to have all the mess and smell go out with the litter changes instead of soaking into the wood.

Any thoughts on that?

 

[wren]

what about linoleum or horse stall mats? Formica is slick.

 

[OldMacDonald]

Linoleum sounds ok- but Formica is what I have. Do you really think it will be more slippery than linoleum?

 

[Judy]

You could probably get away with the Formica if you make sure they have traction. Truth is, since it's free and indeed rot proof and cleans easily, I'd be tempted to stick some of those non-slide tub stickies on it and use it. Or maybe rubberized shelf liner, but you might have to secure it with something that would be pretty easy to remove. Usually people paint plywood or use linoleum and just have deep enough pine shavings to ensure they don't slide, but I'm not sure you could get shavings deep enough on Formica. There must be a way....

 

[Clay Mudd]

Assuming you're going to cover it with bedding of some kind, I think it's a good idea.

 

[wren]

Yes I do.

 

[catchthewind]

There is a type of paint you can get for decks that provides traction. I don't know much about it, but if it's not too pricey and formica is paintable that might be an option too?

 

[OldMacDonald]

Really- HOW big of an issue is slippery surfaces in the coop? I mean, it's a small coop (3' X 10') and they won't be running laps in there! I will likely use wood shavings and straw for litter and they'll have a roost to get up on if they don't want to "skate" around...

If I have to put something on it to provide traction, it may defeat the purpose of using easy to clean formica.

 

[Hottchick]

I have linoleum on the floor of my coop. Sometimes the wood shavings shift and there is a clear linoleum spot on the floor. If we startle someone when they're on a spot like that and they take off, they slide on the floor and it's kind of funny. No one gets hurt.

My opinion is use what you got. Traction should not be an issue if you use wood shavings or something on top.

 

[OldMacDonald]

Hottchick- That's a good point. I love to see my pets (two cats, two dogs) slide on the hardwood floor when they try and take a corner too fast. Maybe I should put a webcam in the coop...