Flooring inside the coop - open bars?

[smaress]

I'm finishing up a coop I am building from leftover fence boards and salvaged materials - I found these wooden grate type things that fit perfectly in bottom of coop, under where the roost would be. Would it work out OK to leave just those in the bottom so the floor is rather open? The ground underneath the coop will be straw over decomposed granite. The nest boxes will have a perch just outside them and I'll install a couple branches across the coop for perching at night. The bottom section under the coop house will be linked to an attached run for them during the day and the entire thing will be protected with wire under and around. I'll close their door at night. I could cut a piece of linoleum or plywood (or I was thinking a dog kennel plastic tray may fit) and put sand/Sweet PDZ or shavings if the open floor idea is a failure. I was thinking I can rake up the droppings as part of my general coop clean-out instead of having 2 areas to clear out.

The nest boxes will be the front side of the coop, the entire left side opens up for cleaning. We live in Northern CA in a moderate climate. Any suggestions welcome!!!

 

[Pyxis]

It could work as long as you live in a climate that's mild and doesn't really get below freezing, I would think, as long as you make sure everything is predator-proof. My worry would be that weasel may be able to fit right through those gaps, or a raccoon could reach up and yank birds off the roost and eat them through the slats - yes, that does happen. If you can have a solid floor, I myself would probably opt for it, just for peace of mind.

How many birds are you planning to keep in there? It looks a little small, but that may just be the pictures.

 

[Blooie]

Are you hoping that the poop they produce while on the roosts at night will drop through those bars to the ground below? It might if chicken poos were nice little pellets. Unfortunately that's not the case. It's sloppy, sticky, and wet. So if you decide to use the bars, make sure they pop right out for cleaning.

 

[Folly's place]

A solid floor with bedding is safer and much more comfortable, and easier to clean. I hope you are only getting a couple of bantams, because this looks TINY for even a trio of big chickens. Mary

 

[ChickenMammX4]

Are you hoping that the poop they produce while on the roosts at night will drop through those bars to the ground below?  It might if chicken poos were nice little pellets.  Unfortunately that's not the case.  It's sloppy, sticky, and wet.  So if you decide to use the bars, make sure they pop right out for cleaning.

I agree, there's going to be more poop on/between those bars than below. I would also think walking on those bars would be uncomfortable.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Are you hoping that the poop they produce while on the roosts at night will drop through those bars to the ground below? It might if chicken poos were nice little pellets. Unfortunately that's not the case. It's sloppy, sticky, and wet. So if you decide to use the bars, make sure they pop right out for cleaning.

A solid floor with bedding is safer and much more comfortable, and easier to clean. I hope you are only getting a couple of bantams, because this looks TINY for even a trio of big chickens. Mary

Agree completely with both the above. Unfortunately, the idea is good in theory - but in practice it is not going to work out as you are hoping.

 

[smaress]

I think the pictures must make it look smaller than it is in person.

Thanks for the feedback, I will go with a removable solid flooring of some sort on top of the bars. Hoping to get it finished up today!

 

[perchie.girl]

I'm finishing up a coop I am building from leftover fence boards and salvaged materials - I found these wooden grate type things that fit perfectly in bottom of coop, under where the roost would be. Would it work out OK to leave just those in the bottom so the floor is rather open? The ground underneath the coop will be straw over decomposed granite. The nest boxes will have a perch just outside them and I'll install a couple branches across the coop for perching at night. The bottom section under the coop house will be linked to an attached run for them during the day and the entire thing will be protected with wire under and around. I'll close their door at night. I could cut a piece of linoleum or plywood (or I was thinking a dog kennel plastic tray may fit) and put sand/Sweet PDZ or shavings if the open floor idea is a failure. I was thinking I can rake up the droppings as part of my general coop clean-out instead of having 2 areas to clear out.

The nest boxes will be the front side of the coop, the entire left side opens up for cleaning. We live in Northern CA in a moderate climate. Any suggestions welcome!!!

Nice build good for about two chickens... is the whole coop made of Cedar?

Aside of the poop issue will other animals have access to the space underneath the coop? a raccoon could reach up through those bars and pull a leg off... Unless you put your perches up higher than the nest boxes then the act of jumping up and down from the Perch will be really hard on the feet... even a small chicken like two or three pounds.

I hope you are at the point where you can change it out for a sturdy sheet of plywood.... Then you can cover the plywood with some linoleum... Makes the whole thing easy to clean.

For such a small coop also make sure you have plenty of ventilation.

Happy building.

deb

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I think the pictures must make it look smaller than it is in person.

What are the dimensions? Photos can sometimes be deceiving, so knowing the measurements might help better visualize the actual size.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
I estimate the footprint dimensions to be four feet by four feet square... From the pictures and the size of the wood and objects in the background. Wood for fence six inches wide. If I am correct

deb