New Coop Completed Picture but may have a problem...with sand bed

[gryeyes]

And to answer the laying issue for you, since you mentioned you did get some eggs, I gather you got grown hens, not chicks. With that said, any change in location is stressful to chickens and may set them off laying for a couple of weeks. Eggs already "in the chute" - so to speak - get laid, then the hens react to the new situation and go off laying for a bit.

Perfectly normal.

GREAT coop and accommodations! I have coop envy again.....

 

[chicmom]

I think sand is the very best flooring for your chicken run. What I do, is I have a kitty litter scooper, and I will go into the run every day, and scoop up the poop, then after I'm done, i rake it around to fluff the sand back up. Works very well.

Now, I can see where the space under the coop is going to give you trouble for cleaning. I have a 6x6 A-frame style coop, and there is a similar situation. I have to get down on my hands and knees and scoop that area. It really is a pain in the tush, but unless you block that off, you'll just have to do that.

You can get a shorter handled rake, that is only 5 inches wide or so for raking. I believe it's for raking between flowers and such. Anyhow, rake the poo to just where you can reach it, and then scoop it out. OR, you can make yourself a long handled pooper scooper to get the stuff out of reach.

Don't panic! All will be well.....
Sharon

 

[darncat]

I should have an extra kitty scoop here having 4 cats!

I never thought of that! I did the scoop and then rake this morning before feeding the gals. Went pretty quick considering and now going to focus on attaching a scoop to a long stick. Still want to talk to the contractor when he stops by to get paid..lol...and show him about the backside and still wanting a door. Plus I got another egg this morning! YAY!!! One did roost last night in the coop so another step forward...got the opportunity to try out the slide tray and love it! Easy to clean!

You all are the greatest on this forum !

 

[chicmom]

Well, sounds like you've already solved your problem with the poop scooper! And I wanted to say your coop is beautiful! I've tried sooo many different chicken run flooring materials, and I really do feel sand is the best choice!

Great minds think alike! haha

Sharon

 

[darncat]

Update....I did have a wire drop door installed by the contractor to be able to get under the coop to scoop, etc. Sooooo much better! The gals are adjusting well and the eggs are coming!!

 

[macadam8157]

Thats a nice one you got there!!