is it unhealthy to allow chickens access "under the roast"

[skelm]

I have a large henhouse that is on poles, chicken wire floor and then the ground about 3 feet below. The chicken waste falls through onto the ground. I rake it all up and compost it once a week. Now here is the question:
Is it unsafe to allow the chickens to walk underneath the coop? They freerange all over I haven't screened it off bur wanted to make sure its not unhealthy that they can get in if they wish. I thought it my be useful to keep the under area open as the chickens could pick off any bugs. Thoughts>

 

[silkiechicken]

Mine can go under their roosts if they wish, and dig around anywhere they want. Sounds like you're keeping it clean, so shouldn't be any issues with them under there, especially if they aren't always under there or forced to be there.

 

[patandchickens]

Unless one has an Augean-Stables-level sanitation problem and/or an excessively cramped coop (which clearly neither is the case with your setup) I would not worry about it in the least. Heck, they poo everywhere ELSE too, and walking and scratching around in it doesn't affect 'em

JMHO,

Pat

 

[skelm]

Thanks!

 

[dcoon1]

I have a similiar scenario with the poop at the bottom of the coop. What if it does not get cleaned that often. Is in an area that never really dries out so it is muddy with piled up wet poop during wet periods and there are 17 guineas and 4 chickens pooping there all night (Area is 6' X 8').The problem I worry about is that there are a few smaller guineas that dont fly out of the fenced area during the day and 3 of the chickens that dont get out of the fenced area until we come home around 4PM each day to let them free range around the yard. They are in and out of the area under the coop all day and sometimes go there to nap.

They also spend a lot of time under there because there are so many bugs in there for the poop but I wonder if having them scratcha dn feed on bugs in 1 -2 inch high poop is OK just so they can eat bugs?

 

[karl lutz]

Are you kidding my chickens follow each other around just to eat each others yuc!

 

[vstoltzfus]

My set up is the same as yours, and my hens go under their coop all the time. I think they eat the bugs that are attracted to their poo.

 

[wildorchid053]

we have been throwing all our poo into the garden and after a good rain there will be tons of worms under it..we take a pitch fork and turn up the dirt and they are all over trying to be first to get the worms... stepping on poo and digging in it to get them.. it is their favorite thing to do