Idea for easy maintenance coop.

[Bullitt]

Give it a try , but my gut tells my you will be disappointed with the results. My birds free range and spend little time in the coop, so most of the poop is only right under the roost. In my situation, I might try something like your idea but only under the roost and with wire that had larger openings (maybe 1 inch?)

I suppose 1-inch openings would keep most predators out. Snakes might be able to get in, though.

 

[Bullitt]

I've seen some that have been the size of a giant breakfast muffin.

I don't think a broom would cut it for those. I'm thinking snow shovel and fire hose.

Fantastic idea though, just need to tweak it a bit. Who wouldn't love an easy-cleaning coop?

Funny!

Maybe a wire broom can be used to sweep off the hardware cloth.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I watched the video and wish it had shown us more of the interior of his coop, especially under the roosting area. I, too, am of the thinking that this would be far messier than the video shows. My gal's do some large poos that wouldn't go through either 1/2 in hardware cloth or the flooring in the coop on the video. As far as using a broom, unless you wait for days until the poo dries I would think you'd end up with an even bigger mess of smeared-through-the-screen poo and a broom encrusted with the stuff. It would be like brooming large chunks of heavy, wet mud.

Without regard for poo, I'd be concerned about how this type floor would impact the bottom of the chickens feet. Would it make them more prone to bumble-foot? Don't know, just a thought as I've seen that concern regarding wire bottom cages expressed elsewhere.

Give it a try. You can always add a solid floor later if you don't like it.

 

[Bullitt]

Here is another video where you can see the wire bottom.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Here is a video of a chicken coop built on a trailer with a wire bottom to allow droppings to fall through.

Great Set Up! for a warm climate. I have my coop on a trailer as well. When I have to replace the floor I will definitely do it with wire (wooden floor starting to complain). In my climate I would have to cover the wire for the winter months in my estimation. I think it is an innovative well planned and thought out. There are bound to be a few draw backs. However I think the pluses out weigh the minuses. Thank you for sharing Bullitt.

 

[Bullitt]

Great Set Up! for a warm climate. I have my coop on a trailer as well. When I have to replace the floor I will definitely do it with wire (wooden floor starting to complain). In my climate I would have to cover the wire for the winter months in my estimation. I think it is an innovative well planned and thought out. There are bound to be a few draw backs. However I think the pluses out weigh the minuses. Thank you sharing Bullitt.

I believe the guy explains in the second video that in colder months he covers the sides with plastic and puts straw on the floor. I think he is in Arkansas.

My idea to have skirting around the coop would mean there would be no need to put straw down in order for the chickens to stay warm. So it would be easier to maintain.

 

[Hokum Coco]

The guy explains in the second video that in colder months he covers the sides with plastic and puts straw on the floor.

For me in my set up a 4x8 sheet of plywood on the floor would do the trick or even just my vinyl flooring with bedding on top. Thanks again Bullitt..