My diy chicken coop

[Redbedhead73]

My brother is building me my first chicken coop...its more of a chicken shed in size. He still needs to put in nesting boxes and roosts. But finished the roof and outdoor painting today. The right side is open as an expansion area, if things go well with my ladies. The entire area between my house (white house) and the shed is fenced in as their run/my garden. There is currently no floor in the coop, just dirt . do I need to ask him to put in a floor or just cover it with sawdust? It is insulated and wired for electricity. Oh we are in the San Luis Valley in Colorado at about 7,566 ft.

Oh its 16ft by 8 ft, the expansions side is 16ft by 4 ft.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC! What sort of predators do you have in your area?

 

[Ted Brown]

I have no experience but have read a number of posts from folks who have a dirt floor in their coop area. 1st time referenced DLM (Deep Litter Method to produce compost) as being very difficult to achieve in a coop that has a floor. I recall the need for moisture and active bacteria from a natural source as the rationale for using dirt.

 

[Redbedhead73]

Welcome to BYC! What sort of predators do you have in your area?

We have Hawks, Barn owls, Screech owls, Bald Eagles, Prairie dogs, Coyotes, feral dogs, and feral cats. The fence is dug down 16 inches, and we are contemplating a.net covering for the top, if it becomes necessary.

 

[Ted Brown]

"Oh we are in the San Luis Valley in Colorado at about 7,566 ft."

Update your profile so this shows on each post. Quality of responses is better.

 

[Redbedhead73]

"Oh we are in the San Luis Valley in Colorado at about 7,566 ft."

Update your profile so this shows on each post. Quality of responses is better.

Done! Thank you!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

You don't need a floor on a coop but it does mean that excluding digging pests is more difficult than in a coop with a floor.

 

[Redbedhead73]

You don't need a floor on a coop but it does mean that excluding digging pests is more difficult than in a coop with a floor.

Thank you!