How do I keep my coop less muddy?

[Chickenluv22]

I have thin plastic insulation around my coop which keeps the snow from getting in but for some reason it’s still very moist inside- on the ground. I put straw down and replace it everyonce and a while but it still gets kinda muddy and poopy.

is there anyway I can keep it dryer? It’s very cold where I live so my chickens have to stay in the coop throughout the winter. Thanks in advance!

 

[CityslickerHomestead]

A lot of BYC users have mentioned adding Sweet PDZ to the coop bedding.

I had these issues and found a leak through the window was causing excess bedding moisture. I caulked the window and solved that issue. As for the poop... I added a poop board under my roosts and I change that bedding frequently. It prevents me from having to do a complete bedding overhaul for the entire coop. Not that it’s big. My coop is only 3x5’ interior and I have seven chickens, so I’m overcrowded.

Come spring I’m changing everything.

 

[CityslickerHomestead]

In another thread, @Shezadandy mentioned using wood pellets to control bedding moisture, and I’m thinking I’m going to be using that too!

 

[Shezadandy]

I have thin plastic insulation around my coop which keeps the snow from getting in but for some reason it’s still very moist inside- on the ground. I put straw down and replace it everyonce and a while but it still gets kinda muddy and poopy.

is there anyway I can keep it dryer? It’s very cold where I live so my chickens have to stay in the coop throughout the winter. Thanks in advance!

Is it wet from rain/snow or is it wet from chicken leavings? Do you have a "poop board" under your roost? A poop board to catch the nightly poo and keep it up out of the coop floor bedding will help more than you probably realize. Straw won't absorb much at all.

If you've got water coming in from weather, it won't matter what you put down on the coop floor, so the first thing is to determine the source of the moisture.

I love the compressed pine pellets- but if water from rain is coming into your coop floor- it will just absorb that moisture and get wet (as will any other bedding).

 

[blackdog043]

Pictures of your set up will help a lot, so we can see what you are working with. It sounds like you are referring to your run.

Is the plastic enclosing the run totally, is there any ventilation? Without ventilation, it will be like a greenhouse and keep moisture inside.

Also adding your general location to your profile will help, so we know what kind of weather you are dealing with.

 

[aart]

Yes, please....pics and location would help immensely.
Also how many birds do you have?

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'll give you something generic because we don't have enough info to get specific. The title says run but a lot works for coops too. when she wrote this Pat lived in what she called a swamp in Ontario.

Pat’s Big Ol' Mud Page (fixing muddy runs):

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-fix-a-muddy-run-chicken-coop.47807/