Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[snowflake]

Fellow Michiganders,

I currently have a dirt floor in my coop and use the deep litter method, however I am planning on making some upgrades to my coop. Assuming time and money are not an issue, do you suggest sticking with a dirt floor in Michigan, or would I be better off switchinhe g to a wood floor (elevated off the ground and most likely coated with Blackjack #57)? Just curious what each of you prefer and why? Thanks!

I have raised coops about 12" or more with wood floors, I use pine shavings wood pellets and hay on the floor in winter, poop boards keep floors clean only clean out spring and fall, spring is a complete clean out fall now so much. I also keep all food and water outside. no moisture in coop so floors do not rot.

 

[mindylee]

Fellow Michiganders,

I currently have a dirt floor in my coop and use the deep litter method, however I am planning on making some upgrades to my coop.  Assuming time and money are not an issue, do you suggest sticking with a dirt floor in Michigan, or would I be better off switching to a wood floor (elevated off the ground and most likely coated with Blackjack #57)?  Just curious what each of you prefer and why?  Thanks!

I have dirt floors as well.
Every year i have to add dirt as the birds love to dust bath regardless of the deep sawdust bedding. So every time i clean the coop, more and more loose dirt comes out.
However next year im rebuilding my coop and making it more predator proof and more professional looking as i have 2 breeding projects of cochins. So when i do rebuild, i will add crushed asphalt floors and continue the sawdust bedding.

 

[trailrider330]

I have dirt floors as well.
Every year i have to add dirt as the birds love to dust bath regardless of the deep sawdust bedding. So every time i clean the coop, more and more loose dirt comes out.
However next year im rebuilding my coop and making it more predator proof and more professional looking as i have 2 breeding projects of cochins. So when i do rebuild, i will add crushed asphalt floors and continue the sawdust bedding.

Mindylee,

How many inches of crushed asphalt do you plan on adding? Are you at all worried that they will dig up the crushed asphalt just like they do to the dirt?

 

[1muttsfan]

My coop is elevated with a wood floor covered with vinyl floor covering, deep litter method

 

[Folly's place]

I was blessed with an old outbuilding foundation with a very cracked uneven concrete floor. My coop and covered run are on that, so dirt, broken concrete, and deep shavings. Love it! I added rubber stall mats over part of the coop floor, so shoveling out the shavings is easier. It's worked very well for almost twenty years. The best part is the perimeter concrete; no digging has ever been a problem. I would rather have a walk-in building than a raised coop any day! Also, drainage is good; water runs away from the building. The three different shingles add a special flair! mary

 

[aart]

I was blessed with an old outbuilding foundation with a very cracked uneven concrete floor. My coop and covered run are on that, so dirt, broken concrete, and deep shavings. Love it! I added rubber stall mats over part of the coop floor, so shoveling out the shavings is easier. It's worked very well for almost twenty years. The best part is the perimeter concrete; no digging has ever been a problem. I would rather have a walk-in building than a raised coop any day! Also, drainage is good; water runs away from the building. The three different shingles add a special flair! mary

Mine raised for under coop refuge and walk in.

 

[Folly's place]

Nice! And I would love a Wood's coop! Mary

 

[aart]

Nice! And I would love a Wood's coop! Mary

Well, it's not set up as a Woods coop, but it could be.
Actual coop is only the north 6' of the shed, the rest is storage.

 

[taprock]

Coop flooring, I have one concrete, two linoleum and 4 wood. I use deep litter in all. Linoleum is easiest to clean. Wood dries quick if it gets wet but is harder to clean. Concrete is safest, stays cool in summer, easy to clean. Only downside is if it gets wet it takes a long time to dry, think duck playing in the water dish. You also need deeper litter base if you have concrete so the birds don't hurt their feet. In the winter deep litter freezes pretty solid in all. I keep adding fresh all winter.

 

[aart]

Coop flooring, I have one concrete, two linoleum and 4 wood. I use deep litter in all. Linoleum is easiest to clean. Wood dries quick if it gets wet but is harder to clean. Concrete is safest, stays cool in summer, easy to clean. Only downside is if it gets wet it takes a long time to dry, think duck playing in the water dish. You also need deeper litter base if you have concrete so the birds don't hurt their feet. In the winter deep litter freezes pretty solid in all. I keep adding fresh all winter.

That's why I like dry shavings, much less likely to freeze up.