Here's My Coop Plan but a Few Questions

[KoopersCoop]

Yes, it does. But how nice it will be once completed! Sounds great! I'm planning on building mine too- (No hubby) Right now in the process of rebuilding a house on 5 acres and I can't wait to have chickens! I just love BYC you can learn so much from others! And I love looking at all the other coops! Can't wait to see yours! Good luck in your build I'll be watching

 

[Patinas]

And the joy of dirt. This rescue hen spent at least 3 hours bathing when we got them home. The others took turns as well.
They had been living where dust bathing was not possible.

If I use concrete for the chicken yard, I had planned to put out tubs of dirt/sand to let them dust bathe in. I've watched the chicks trying to dust bathe in the pine shavings so it's clear they have a need and I would provide them that opportunity.

 

[candirroberts]

I have been planning my coop and run for awhile now and you are using a lot of the same ideas that I plan on. I bought some cheap cat litter boxes for the nests and I was going to use linoleum for the floor also. Reading your plans I thought you had my list. That is great!

 

[Mdm Cluck Cluck]

I've not made my coop. I'm in UK & we got a Granary from Flyte so Fancy. One of the good things about the Granary is that you get a tarpaulin for the floor. We added catches to keep Tarp in position. Then when cleaning you unhook and pull out & unload straight into compost bin. Hose and brush down with broom, leave to dry & pop back in. You do need to brush some debris out from corners of coop but not too difficult. I bought extra Tarp so can put one in while washed one dries. Shame they didnt do similiar system for lift off nest box but I just did my own version. Saves alot of scraping.

What ventiliation are you including??

 

[Mdm Cluck Cluck]

Also if you are doing concrete it would be kinder if not all concrete. Hens need to dig, but areas that won't get muddy or get covered with debris for waterers & feeders would be a big bonus. We use hardwood chip to help with mud issues.

 

[Patinas]

I just want to reiterate that going with concrete does not mean the chickens will not have access to grass/dirt. I live on 5+ acres at the end of a private road of which about 50% is grass and the grass is surrounded by woods. I wholly intend to let the chickens free range when I'm home during the day. I just early retired so I'm home a lot! So it's not like the chickens will be living their life on concrete. Again, my concern is the soggy ground and the amount of rain we get here.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Ok so now knowing that A. You have a decent sized area and B. That you are retired/home lots your plan makes more sense to me.

I am less freaked out about the concrete. Still not a choice I would make but then not my chickens so not my choice.

Those of us in suburbia with smaller yards and working are likely picturing the worst.

 

[ChickAsThieves]

I have to agree that the concrete floor doesn't sound ideal. I live in New England and we get a decent amount of precipitation. Admittedly, sometimes the run does get muddy, but no one has ever come close to getting stuck in it. Sand provides great drainage, and a couple times a year we spread a few 50 pounds bags in the run which helps considerably.

Chickens are like messy toddlers. You can spread as much hay as you want to provide cushion from the floor, but they're going to move it all around in a matter of hours and there will be many bare spots. I think it would be very hard on their legs and it's also apt to be very cold. Even if they're not confined all day, I think you'll ultimately regret it. It's going to be very costly to remove. Maybe just try it out without the concrete for a few seasons? You can always pour it later if it's what you really want.


Whatever you decide... I wish you the best and

!

 

[Patinas]

I appreciate all the input on pouring a concrete run. I just know my land and how soggy it is with all the rain and for me, concrete just makes sense. One other observance... my chicks are currently in our garage in a 4 x 8 coop which sits on a vinyl remnant. The garage floor is concrete obviously. I watch the chicks every day and they scratch and peck through the shavings on the vinyl. That is their favorite past time to scratch and peck. I get it. But, I can't help thinking that if pecking the vinyl on the concrete was too hard on them, I would see signs of distress...which I haven't. So at this point I'm resigned to pouring concrete for the yard. If we go on vacation, I would hire the neighbor kids to collect the eggs, let the chickens out and make sure they close the yard gate at night. So given my particular circumstance, I just don't see any downside to a concrete yard as long as I let them free range during the day.

Again, I posted my plans for input and I do appreciate the voices of experience and I'm taking all the advice under consideration. I just happen to live in a part of the country that gets a lot of rain 8 months out of the year and I need to take that into consideration.

 

[Patinas]

Ok so now knowing that A. You have a decent sized area and B. That you are retired/home lots your plan makes more sense to me.

I am less freaked out about the concrete. Still not a choice I would make but then not my chickens so not my choice.

Those of us in suburbia with smaller yards and working are likely picturing the worst.

Thanks. I totally am hearing your input and get why you're anti-concrete. I'm just saying that in my mind, knowing the amount of rain I get here, that concrete does make sense to me. I walk my land all the time so I know how soggy it gets. I have sensitive wetlands, a full on creek and two water ditches that flow up until the few driest months in the summer. I respect your opinion that concrete is not good. I also can understand that in suburban smaller yards does not make sense for concrete. I can't get past visions of my girls getting swallowed in mud/poop given the lay of my land. I'm a huge fan of free range so the concrete would only come into play when it's super cold/wet outside and they end up spending a lot of time in the yard.

If that happens and they are unhappy, I'll be the first to post the negatives of concrete chicken runs on here! Deal?!