Mulched leaves as coop flooring?

[sophiehatter1057]

Our coop is set up in a heavily treed area where we have a ton of leaves that we mulch down. Would that work as well as pine shavings for a coop floor, if I sprinkled some sweet pdz underneath? It sure would be economical (and the space is 10x20 feet, so it would make a big difference cost wise if that would work!)

 

[DobieLover]

If they are dry they should work okay but you will need to clean more frequently as they will not absorb moisture.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

If they are dry they should work okay but you will need to clean more frequently as they will not absorb moisture.

I hadn't considered the moisture, thank you.

 

[MROO]

Our coop is set up in a heavily treed area where we have a ton of leaves that we mulch down. Would that work as well as pine shavings for a coop floor, if I sprinkled some sweet pdz underneath? It sure would be economical (and the space is 10x20 feet, so it would make a big difference cost wise if that would work!)

I use lots of leaves in my run on a regular basis. They not only add hours of enrichment as my birds root for hidden goodies. As the leaves naturally decompose, they also add new soil to the craters my birds are always digging. In winter or during long rainy spells, I sometimes add a scoop or two to the coop, just as a boredom buster. In my area (US Mid-Atlantic Coast,) piles of leaves left long-term tend to mildew as they decompose. My coop has a wooden floor, so mildew isn't good for the structure, the chickens or me!

 

[sophiehatter1057]

I use lots of leaves in my run on a regular basis. They not only add hours of enrichment as my birds root for hidden goodies. As the leaves naturally decompose, they also add new soil to the craters my birds are always digging. In winter or during long rainy spells, I sometimes add a scoop or two to the coop, just as a boredom buster. In my area (US Mid-Atlantic Coast,) piles of leaves left long-term tend to mildew as they decompose. My coop has a wooden floor, so mildew isn't good for the structure, the chickens or me!

Do you think mildew would be an issue if the coop is directly on the ground?

 

[MROO]

Do you think mildew would be an issue if the coop is directly on the ground?

That really depends on your coop and a lot of environmental factors. If rain leaves your floor damp, then yes. It all goes back to the moisture issue.
On a completely different topic, if your coop sits directly on the ground without a solid floor, you'll need to make sure it's well predator-proofed. Foxes, racoons, opossums, rats and even snakes are all diggers!

 

[sophiehatter1057]

That really depends on your coop and a lot of environmental factors. If rain leaves your floor damp, then yes. It all goes back to the moisture issue.
On a completely different topic, if your coop sits directly on the ground without a solid floor, you'll need to make sure it's well predator-proofed. Foxes, racoons, opossums, rats and even snakes are all diggers!

Yes! We're putting an apron of 19 gauge hardware cloth, 3 feet wide, all along the perimeter. Is that sufficient? (I may also run my old electrified sheep netting around it for good measure?)