New coop and run

[ChicksforZ]

If you could start from scratch

what would you use for the flooring- sand, cement?
what would you use for nesting boxes- homemade or commercial bought?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Are you asking about flooring in the coop?

In the run I use deep litter.......which right now needs scooped out and refreshed after 5++ years. It doesn't stink. It's just thick enough I hit my head on a board that WAS 6'4" above the ground.

I prefer a wood floor in my coop. I used to have deep litter in my old coop. I found it to easy for unwanted wildlife to get in.

 

[ChicksforZ]

 

[Alaskan]

1.
I would make homemade community roll out nestboxes


2. Movable grow frames in the run. The rest built up, well drained, half covered by a roof and dirt maintained in a deep litter method

 

[blackdog043]

For the coop I have a wood floor. I applied Black Jack 57 to the floor and 12 inches up the wall. I use pine shavings inside the coop. I made my own nest boxes. For the run, I use deep litter. It works great and doesn't stink.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Flooring - I have wood with Black Jack on it, like blackdog043's, and I use wood chips for bedding. Free is good!

Nestboxes - My chickens seem very happy to use the ones I built. I wasn't very cost effective with it though. If I have to build another one, I'm going to make sure I measure twice, cut once (it's crooked on one side but only the chickens know).

 

[Chicky63]

First time seeing Black Jack 57 being used.
1. How long after installing/painting on before chicks can use coop?
2. Is this better than vinyl flooring?

We've painted the inside with specialized paint for chickens and looking for idea's for finishing it off before we put the little ones in. Still not sure on 'bedding', sand, hemp, etc. What are your preferences?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

First time seeing Black Jack 57 being used.
1. How long after installing/painting on before chicks can use coop?
2. Is this better than vinyl flooring?

We've painted the inside with specialized paint for chickens and looking for idea's for finishing it off before we put the little ones in. Still not sure on 'bedding', sand, hemp, etc. What are your preferences?

Pine shavings here. They are less expensive than straw here. Sand can cause respiratory problems.

 

[aart]

specialized paint for chickens

Do you have a link to this product?
Welcome to BYC! @Chicky63

This blurb is about 'cleaning' but describes my bedding and manure management:
-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.

-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.

-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.

-Runs have semi-deep litter, never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.

-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 5 years.



@ChicksforZ see My Coop here.
Is that pic you posted your coop?!?!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

specialized paint for chickens

I think is is just wrong to paint your chickens!


Gary