How to keep cement floor dry?

[citychicks99]

Hi everyone,
I recently had to move my chicken coop to a cemented area because rats kept digging in. I'm planning on building a new coop that's raised but I'm going to have to keep them in the old coop for now. It rains a lot here and even though I waited for the area to dry, once it started raining again, I noticed the floors inside the coop started to get wet too. I think this might be getting wet from underneath. Would a tarp be a good solution for now to try and keep the inside dry?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Hi everyone,
I recently had to move my chicken coop to a cemented area because rats kept digging in. I'm planning on building a new coop that's raised but I'm going to have to keep them in the old coop for now. It rains a lot here and even though I waited for the area to dry, once it started raining again, I noticed the floors inside the coop started to get wet too. I think this might be getting wet from underneath. Would a tarp be a good solution for now to try and keep the inside dry?

Also, we now have a new bird and I need to get a dog crate for her. Would a small 24" one like this one be big enough for one bird? What about for two birds in case I decide to get two new ones later down the line?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Vibrant-...ing-Dog-Crate-with-Divider-Small-24/829514141

Ehhhh..... 1, I would say yes. 2, I wouldn't unless they're bantams, or at most a standard and bantam. The space is less than 2 sq. Feet

 

[Boise-girls]

Can you slip pavers under the coop to raise it a little? Just on corners and possibly one or two on each side, depending on size of coop.

 

[citychicks99]

Can you slip pavers under the coop to raise it a little? Just on corners and possibly one or two on each side, depending on size of coop.

It doesn't have a floor so I don't think that will work.

 

[Boise-girls]

It doesn't have a floor so I don't think that will work.

I didn't understand that was the case, obviously! My first coop was floorless and on concrete. I put it entirely on pavers, so it was still on concrete, but raised above ground level. Then, I covered the pavers with those rubber mats you get for cushioning the floor (e.g., for people who stand all day at their jobs). That gave the girls a little cushioning when they jumped off the roost, and provided a dry floor. Bedding went on top of that. It worked pretty well. I'd recommend putting a little space between the pavers for water to run through - assuming you cover them so the chickens don't catch their toes .

 

[MadamContrary]

They make cement sealant, it applies like paint. If you try a tarp make sure it's actually water proof, and pile the bedding high because they'll likely scratch it given the opportunity. I think I'd personally do a layer of gravel, hardware cloth and then bedding. That works on cement or dirt.

 

[tmarsh83]

It's probably condensation, depending on the size and setup. Cement is always going to be cooler than the air around, and if you add chickens into the equation, with their breathing, it's going to condense on the concrete.

 

[Boise-girls]

Is the concrete just under your coop, or is it a larger area? I assumed the latter - mine was on an unused patio, so there was no avoiding a wet floor when it rained without either elevating the coop or putting a tarp overhead to rainproof the entire patio. (Hence the pavers and rubber mats.)
If your pad is the size of your coop and surrounded by soil or lawn, you may have more options. A good roof overhang will help, too.

 

[citychicks99]

Is the concrete just under your coop, or is it a larger area? I assumed the latter - mine was on an unused patio, so there was no avoiding a wet floor when it rained without either elevating the coop or putting a tarp overhead to rainproof the entire patio. (Hence the pavers and rubber mats.)
If your pad is the size of your coop and surrounded by soil or lawn, you may have more options. A good roof overhang will help, too.

It's in a larger area. The roof is flat with a tarp but it seems to still affect the inside. We may have to add a floor as the size is about 10'x5' so I'm not sure just rubber mats will help.

 

[aart]

Post some pics all around inside and out.
If the floor is getting wet during rain, you have a runoff issue.
Might be solved with better roof overhangs.