Flooring suggestion please! And air vent advice too

[Free808208]

We bought a house with a shed that the previous owner turned into a coop. The floor is plywood that needs to be replaced before I can move my chicks in (they are 3 weeks old so I have time to make repairs before they are big enough). I think there are mice under the floor as well. My husband suggested ripping out the plywood and putting down a concrete floor to keep the mice out and easier to clean than the plywood...our concern is that it would make the floor cold...or would that be ok as long as there is enough litter to insulate? Or should we do new plywood with gravel under and something like linoleum on top? Also, coop is 6x8 and we have 10 chicks...there are 2 air vents about 6x12 inches (one on either end near the roof...is this enough air venting? Too much? We live in Colorado so the weather varies wildly but we are in the southwest part so our winters have been fairly mild last few years though we do get the occasional cold front/snowstorm. Should vents be left open in bad weather or closed? Closed at night? So many questions...I deeply appreciate any help!

 

[Stephanie Mitchell]

I would do cement flooring. The plywood can be chewed through and therefore creates a risk of predators. Venting should be able to be controlled, right now I have 2 windows but I will be putting in round vents (2) near the ceiling of my coop soon with adjustable vents. The higher, the better! And also make sure to predator proof those with hardware cloth. The concrete wont be cold if you bed it deep enough in winter. Plus will be really nice cleaning it out in the warmer months as you will be able to use water and really clean it!

 

[Free808208]

I would do cement flooring. The plywood can be chewed through and therefore creates a risk of predators. Venting should be able to be controlled, right now I have 2 windows but I will be putting in round vents (2) near the ceiling of my coop soon with adjustable vents. The higher, the better! And also make sure to predator proof those with hardware cloth. The concrete wont be cold if you bed it deep enough in winter. Plus will be really nice cleaning it out in the warmer months as you will be able to use water and really clean it!

Thanks!

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!
Concrete might be a good option for floor.....
....or just remove floor and go with deep litter on bare ground,
and anti-dig aprons outside.
Good examples of apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208


Pics of coop, inside and out, would help for ventilation advice.
Knowing your climate would also help with better suggestions.
Easy to add your location to your profile, the it's always there!