Idea for easy maintenance coop.

[Bullitt]

I had an idea for a coop that would be easy to maintain.

The coop would be raised off the ground about 2 feet and have a bottom that is hardware cloth. This would prevent predators from getting into the coop and allow most of the droppings to fall on the ground. Once in a while an old broom could be used to sweep off the hardware cloth.

Around the coop would be skirting that could be made of wood or other materials to block air in cold weather. On at least two sides the skirting would be able to be folded up to allow droppings to be raked up for the compost pile, garden, or to be thrown away. This would also allow more air flow in hot weather.

This coop would not be good for chicks, but would work well for grown chickens.

Any thoughts on this idea? Has someone built a similar chicken coop?

 

[Primo]

I think it would be a nightmare trying to clean the poop off the hardware cloth. I don't think it will just sweep through.

 

[Bullitt]

I think it would be a nightmare trying to clean the poop off the hardware cloth. I don't think it will just sweep through.

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

 

[Primo]

Not trying to "poop" on your idea. Seeing the size of some of the dumps my birds take, I just don't think it will fall through hardware cloth and will instead stick to it., creating even smaller openings.

 

[Bullitt]

Not trying to "poop" on your idea. Seeing the size of some of the dumps my birds take, I just don't think it will fall through hardware cloth and will instead stick to it., creating even smaller openings.

Right. That is where the broom would come in.

Did you watch the video?

 

[Primo]

Alright, that guy is using expanded metal, not hardware cloth. Here is my prediction with that: some of the droppings will fall through, the rest will stick. Since expanded metal is rigid, you then will have to periodically scrape the floor to get the rest out.

 

[Primo]

You could always make a temporary hardware cloth screen and set it under your current roost and "test" how this might work for you.

 

[Bullitt]

Alright, that guy is using expanded metal, not hardware cloth. Here is my prediction with that: some of the droppings will fall through, the rest will stick. Since expanded metal is rigid, you then will have to periodically scrape the floor to get the rest out.

Probably. But I would use hardware cloth that has 1/2-inch openings. I think a good amount of the droppings would fall through. A broom would be used occasionally to sweep off the hardware cloth.

 

[Primo]

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?)

 

[Bitterroot]

Not trying to "poop" on your idea. Seeing the size of some of the dumps my birds take, I just don't think it will fall through hardware cloth and will instead stick to it., creating even smaller openings.

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?