Litter for concrete floor

[5770amber]

Just wondering if anyone had any ideas on a litter method for concrete floors? The coop was built like an actual room with a regular door (and ceiling) for us to enter and go in and clean so we can't do a deep litter method or it will all fall out when we open the door. I'm currently using straw and the floor seems dry with only an inch or two in there. Is it safe to continue doing this? It's very well ventilated which helps keep the moisture away. If it's staying dry how often should I change out the straw?

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

The first thing I would do is seal that concrete floor, just incase. Murphy's law number two always applies. The easiest and probably cheapest sealer for concrete floors is paste wax, it will last around a year and with that applied you won't have to worry about nasty things seeping into the concrete.

I would change the straw when it started looking like it might need changing, eyes and noses are always the best indicators for this. The amount of time will be dependent on how many chooks you have, just keep an eye and nose open to how it looks, when it seems to be getting "full of poop" then it is time to change it out.

If you want to go a little deeper with the litter, and so add more time between clean outs.
You can put a "ledger" board along the bottom of the door (will require you to step over it so you don't trip) this will allow you to use a deeper litter method. You can use a silicon sealant on the edge you place to the concrete floor and one screw on each end into the door jamb to hold it in place. Use at least a 1 x 4 and perhaps a 1 x 6 if you are comfortable stepping over something that high.

 

[IceAngel]

You could also try wood shavings or sawdust. We get ours for free from a mill just down the road.

 

[5770amber]

The first thing I would do is seal that concrete floor, just incase. Murphy's law number two always applies. The easiest and probably cheapest sealer for concrete floors is paste wax, it will last around a year and with that applied you won't have to worry about nasty things seeping into the concrete.

I would change the straw when it started looking like it might need changing, eyes and noses are always the best indicators for this. The amount of time will be dependent on how many chooks you have, just keep an eye and nose open to how it looks, when it seems to be getting "full of poop" then it is time to change it out.

If you want to go a little deeper with the litter, and so add more time between clean outs.
You can put a "ledger" board along the bottom of the door (will require you to step over it so you don't trip) this will allow you to use a deeper litter method. You can use a silicon sealant on the edge you place to the concrete floor and one screw on each end into the door jamb to hold it in place. Use at least a 1 x 4 and perhaps a 1 x 6 if you are comfortable stepping over something that high.

The board in front of the door is genius! I will do that

 

[Folly's place]

My coop has an old concrete floor, and it's great. In the area that's badly cracked, I use rubber stall mats to make clean out easier. Deep bedding with shavings, and shovel out maybe three times per year. Straw or hay is harder to manage, IMO. You do need 3" to 6" edging to make litter work in your coop. Mary

 

[allpeepedout]

My coop has an old concrete floor, and it's great. In the area that's badly cracked, I use rubber stall mats to make clean out easier. Deep bedding with shavings, and shovel out maybe three times per year. Straw or hay is harder to manage, IMO. You do need 3" to 6" edging to make litter work in your coop. Mary

Agree. I have a concrete floor and use pine bedding. It's wonderful, and easy to clean. I just scoop out shavings and sweep. If I let cleanup go too long and an area has gotten wet, it can really harden and congeal on the surface of the concrete. Then that involves scraping it off with a shovel. I only clean every few months and add bedding to freshen / deep litter periodically.