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

[darncat]

Here is the new coop/pen completed. I got 4 RIR's and decided after reading many posts to try the sand in the pen. There is about 4 to 5 inches of sand. I tried to rake it but seems like it is going down into the sand and hard to get up. Under the coop is very difficult to clean out without using a rake. Should I not be raking or is this normal process? I am so new and starting to panic . Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Craig's Egg's]

that coop is sooooooooooo nice you are very lucy!!!! I am to new at this my self to help w/ your question though sorry just really like your coop!!!

 

[elmo]

Welcome to the forum!

Sorry I don't understand what you mean:

I tried to rake it but seems like it is going down into the sand and hard to get up.

One thing I did notice is that it looks from the picture like you don't have a baseboard around the run (at least the part not under the coop) to contain the sand, and that it looks like it's mounded up there. A baseboard, like for a sandbox, should help keep the sand where it's supposed to be, although a little will seep under the bottom edge of the baseboard, usually not enough to matter.

You're right about the area under the coop, especially one that's as low as yours. I have one raised coop and I really don't like it, even though on mine I can access the area from two, rather than one side. A rake is pretty much your only option for getting under there.

I use a reptile litter scoop like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1NDYMRS1RNYA85NMJ46F

I duct taped it to a long handle so I don't have to bend over. It works great picking droppings out of the sand.


Don't worry, it'll be fine. It will take a while for you to develop your chickenkeeping routine and get everything working the way you want it to work, but it will happen.​

 

[flowergirl60]

That is a really nice coop.

 

[darncat]

So i should be scooping in the pen area rather than raking? There is baseboard around it with a little dirt covering underground cage wire then the sand on top. As there are many critters in my neck of the woods is why i opted for attaching underground wire. I was worried for my hens and did not know if this was something that would establish in time or whether I will be breaking my back everyday to clean.

 

[10 point]

nice coop

 

[GAchick]

Quote:
Scoop, not rake. A kitty litter scoop attached to a long pole should work....

eta: gorgeous coop, btw....

 

[kuntrygirl]

Awesome coop. I scoop my sand run.

 

[welasharon]

I don't scoop but I do go and turn the sand over some every other month or so....I don't know where the poop goes...but it goes somewhere...

 

[Pharm Girl]

I use sand and a kitty scoop inside, and sand with a layering of straw on the covered outside. I know different strokes for different folks, but I like it. The poop actually sticks to the straw as well as falls into it a bit. The sand dehydrates it, and I feel like I can rake it out every two weeks. I just rake the straw off the top and leave the raked sand, then add fresh straw. It takes about five minutes once every two weeks. Everybody has different opinions about what they like. Don't be afraid to try different things and see what works for you!