I have a concrete floor but hate it...I'm wondering if anyone has used those rubber mats over concrete?

[hayley3]

You could also build a low deck - deck slats or plywood - and cover it with a piece of scrap vinyl. Flooring companies often sell larger "scraps" and many hardware or discount stores offer inexpensive vinyl in 8 foot or better squares. My coop is a converted wooden playhouse. I picked up the vinyl for the floor at our local Ollies' (discount store) for under $20.00.

Building a raised floor is an awesome idea. I wonder if vinyl is easier to clean than concrete.

 

[Wutthacluck]

I'm wondering if it's practical to use those. Are they hard to clean and what are the cons to using them vs just leaving the floor as is. I did consider sand...I could install 2x4's to make a box to hold the sand.

You could remove them to spray them down and then hang in the sun to dry. Depending on the size you choose. They are heavy. I also have a concrete floor in our coop as we turned an old shed into the coop. We were doing the deep litter method but ended up with rats that we're still combating (even with dogs, cats, and traps). I just make sure to sweep. I, too, am looking into the sand option. I know you could make a litter fork by attaching hardware cloth to a stall scoop (idk what they're truly called as I just call them my barn forks) so the sand falls through but the poop doesn't.

 

[Wutthacluck]

Building a raised floor is an awesome idea. I wonder if vinyl is easier to clean than concrete.

I put it on shelves under my roosting bars and it is easier. I can scoop the poop out with my shovel. You can also spray them down and wipe them off easier.

 

[hayley3]

You could remove them to spray them down and then hang in the sun to dry. Depending on the size you choose. They are heavy. I also have a concrete floor in our coop as we turned an old shed into the coop. We were doing the deep litter method but ended up with rats that we're still combating (even with dogs, cats, and traps). I just make sure to sweep. I, too, am looking into the sand option. I know you could make a litter fork by attaching hardware cloth to a stall scoop (idk what they're truly called as I just call them my barn forks) so the sand falls through but the poop doesn't.

The heavy part is bad...as I only have a walk door. So that may be a deterrent for me. And why not just use a kitty litter scoop?

 

[Ted Brown]

My coop is built for 40, currently have 28. They have access to the run 24/7, it has a metal roof and is tarped in the winter, a very large percentage of waste happens overnight and onto the drop boards.

 

[Sefirothe]

This is my roost bar and poop board. I have PDZ on there. The poop is about 2-3 days accumulation for 7 hens. I need to scoop when I get home from work this afternoon!

 

[Sefirothe]

My coop is built for 40, currently have 28. They have access to the run 24/7, it has a metal roof and is tarped in the winter, a very large percentage of waste happens overnight and onto the drop boards.

View attachment 4100374

I’m curious how you get the poop all the way at the back? Long handled scoop and just pull it forward?

 

[hayley3]

My coop is built for 40, currently have 28. They have access to the run 24/7, it has a metal roof and is tarped in the winter, a very large percentage of waste happens overnight and onto the drop boards.

View attachment 4100374

Thanks it's helpful to see!

 

[hayley3]

This is my roost bar and poop board. I have PDZ on there. The poop is about 2-3 days accumulation for 7 hens. I need to scoop when I get home from work this afternoon!

View attachment 4100378

Thanks I like the idea of the PDZ....I've heard of it but never used it.

 

[Ted Brown]

I’m curious how you get the poop all the way at the back? Long handled scoop and just pull it forward?

I have a kitty litter scoop about 12" long. With that I can just reach to the back, scoop is upside down and I pull the dropping to the centre. I use the kitty litter scoop to pull into a feed scoop then into a mesh tray; shake the tray to separate PDZ from waste then into a container to go to the compost. Never takes more than 15 minutes including the trip to the compost heap.