How much hay?

[Newfarmer36]

Agreed, more ventilation is a good thing. When you say it's been really cold, I have a hard time figuring out what that means, in LA standards. Single digits and below zero qualifies as cold here. It sounds like your coop is in a spot that is simply too wet. Did the area ever have standing water before you set the coop there? You need to address the moisture issue before you can succeed with DLM. Trenching around the coop, laying drainage tile, increasing the roof overhang. Even raising the floor level inside the coop. Perhaps 4" of pea stone, with paver tiles on top to create a raised floor.

It snowed here last week and the temps got down to 13°. I never noticed standing water in the spot where I put the coop but I never paid attention to it either.

 

[Newfarmer36]

Chickens in all their hardiness have some very defined 'rules' for husbandry. Moisture is one of them, its just all around bad. Not talking when it rains. Damp and wet bedding may not necessarily cause an issue, but it is definitely an enabler for health issues from respiratory to feet. It is also an excellent way to grow all kinds of microbes you don't ever want around your birds or animals to include mold, parasites and other very life threatening baddies. Very rare to find a modern livestock operation with dirt floors, most states its against health code. I don't use a dirt floor as a lot like and prefer for my chickens, just have to much moisture at ground level in my area to even consider that as an option. I live in the woods so I have a very rich, black soil which is also full of chunks of granite and assorted minerals. Its also a great source for very cold frozen air. All my coops are at a minimum 2' off the ground with wood flooring covered in some sort of sheathing such as linoleum flooring or bath backing. Also why I don't use standard hay, leafs or un processed straw as bedding. It just holds, hides and grows moisture. Cheap and free isn't always best..works for some which is fine. Just doesn't work for me. I only use All Purpose Sand, Wood Shavings and Chopped Straw in my run and coop. These also have their individual pluses and minuses, just have to figure out what works for your location and try new things until you find that perfect combination or material that really works for you and your flock.

I'm having trouble finding that combination at the moment. Lol

 

[aart]

Fixing roof to stop leaks and adding ventilation would be the first things to do.

 

[blackdog043]

Where do I get straw from? The feed stores here only sale hay.

Lowes & Tractor Supply have straw, in my area.

 

[janz70]

hay is dried grass, usually for feed,
straw is dry stalks of cereal plants, wheat /barley /oats etc its very common in the uk usually used for bedding. Any cereal farm should have bales of it for not much cost as its a byproduct.

 

[janz70]

but agree with others, fix the leaky roof and get plenty of vent holes put in first, up as high as you can, or if you use corrugated roof panels leave the undulating gaps open.