My coop got delivered today!

[3KillerBs]

What if you just tack it down with ground staples so their feet won’t catch & then cover it with wood chips.

That won't change anything.

They will dig against it and hurt their feet.

Scratching and digging is instinctive behavior that you can't prevent.

Look at this dustbath my chickens have dug inside their dirt-floored coop:

And the holes they made in their run last summer:

 

[aart]

Here are some good examples of how well chicken can dig:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/excavation-by-birds-a-word-of-warning.1086535/

 

[AGeese]

I mean you could put a floor in and manage bedding, or sand a little differently than dirt. I don't think it matters how deep they can dig, just that wire is going to do more harm than good.

 

[K0k0shka]

I mean you could put a floor in and manage bedding, or sand a little differently than dirt. I don't think it matters how deep they can dig, just that wire is going to do more harm than good.

You'd need it to be a fully enclosed structure if you want a floor. Like a standard coop. For drainage. Otherwise the floor and the bedding on it are going to get rain blown onto them and get soggy and wet, and stay soggy and wet, because the water will have nowhere to go.

Cutting the chicken wire out isn't hard and you don't need to lift the whole coop to do it. Just get a pair of wire cutters and cut along the edges of the perimeter, an inch or two from the wooden frame. Then bend that inch or two of wire up against the wooden frame, and nail a narrow strip of wood against it, to sandwich the wire ends between the frame and the strips and protect the chickens from the pointy ends.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Might need to lower the nests tho, so they won't roost(and poop) in them.

That was my first thought. I'll bet they sleep up there. And I second removing the wire and putting it on the outside if you feel it is necessary.

 

[AGeese]

You'd need it to be a fully enclosed structure if you want a floor. Like a standard coop. For drainage. Otherwise the floor and the bedding on it are going to get rain blown onto them and get soggy and wet, and stay soggy and wet, because the water will have nowhere to go.

Cutting the chicken wire out isn't hard and you don't need to lift the whole coop to do it. Just get a pair of wire cutters and cut along the edges of the perimeter, an inch or two from the wooden frame. Then bend that inch or two of wire up against the wooden frame, and nail a narrow strip of wood against it, to sandwich the wire ends between the frame and the strips and protect the chickens from the pointy ends.

Yep and might be a down the road option because this looks like a company combined a coop with a run and called it an All-IN-One.

Hopefully they didn't take her arm and leg for it. I've seen some pricey models like this.

 

[Carlyb22]

Moved the wire to outside so there’s a skirt instead of it being underneath. We also removed a nest box and lowered the other one. Moving the chickens in next weekend! They will be 8 and 9 weeks old. They will still be sleeping inside the house for a couple more weeks though.

 

[Mamatomany123]

View attachment 3076130
Moved the wire to outside so there’s a skirt instead of it being underneath. We also removed a nest box and lowered the other one. Moving the chickens in next weekend! They will be 8 and 9 weeks old. They will still be sleeping inside the house for a couple more weeks though.

They're plenty old enough to sleep outside.

 

[tripletfeb]

View attachment 3076130
Moved the wire to outside so there’s a skirt instead of it being underneath. We also removed a nest box and lowered the other one. Moving the chickens in next weekend! They will be 8 and 9 weeks old. They will still be sleeping inside the house for a couple more weeks though.

Why will they be sleeping inside still? Evict them ASAP, they are plenty old enough. Good looking coop

 

[Carlyb22]

Why will they be sleeping inside still? Evict them ASAP, they are plenty old enough. Good looking coop

Temps are still getting pretty low at night and the breeder recommended to have them sleep inside for another week.