Litter for Open Front Coop

[hyperslug]

I am converting an open front room in the barn to a coop. Its main purpose is for nesting and to keep the goats from eating their feed. The goats have torn out the chain link from one side of the gate which I will repair and add barbed wire but leave a small opening for the chickens to come and go so they can free range.

Should I just leave the floor concrete so I can hose it out from time to time and not use litter? Because of the open front rain will dampen any litter and I think that will create a problem. This is in the Dallas area of Texas so it's a fairly mild climate.

Thanks, Jeff

 

[Imp]

I think you'd be fine with out litter. It would be better than wet litter. If you really want to use litter, you could put a small barrier partway back from the open side.
Imp

 

[hyperslug]

Thanks IMP that is pretty much what I was thinking! Jeff

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Great minds think alike.

Imp-OK I admit it I don't have a mind!

 

[patandchickens]

If it were me I'd put litter in the back, where the rain doesn't generally get, but less or none towards the opening. Damp litter is proportionately a lot less of an issue when you have a nearly open-air situation, so unless you are in a very chronically-humid-and-still climate I would not anticipate problems. I would suggest just trying it different ways and seeing what works best for you, you know?

If you were ever in an ambitious mood and had a little extra wood or wood-and-tin lying around, you might consider making a porch roof that sticks further out and by its overhang protects the coop bay more. It would also help keep it cooler. Not *necessary* but it would be *nice*, both for you and for the chickens.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[AtRendeAcres]

Just adding my 2 cents with out some kind of litter chickens will be stepping in their poop! ((messy))

I use sand which isn't bad wet or maybe you could make an awning?

Just a thought
Joanne

 

[Zahboo]

I agree with the sand. It's up to you. If you don't use anything you need to hose it every day. There will be nothing to absorb the odor.

 

[scogind]

You should at least have some kind of litter under the roost, that's where the most poop will be. It will be easier to clean the poopy litter off the concrete than cleaning it off the concrete.

 

[hyperslug]

Thanks again, I will have a poob board under the roost and may try the sand in the front and litter in the back. Keep in mind these chickens go outside all day checking out about 1.5 acres. Jeff