New Coop in Louisiana - Advice Needed

[jmurf]

Here's a new thought that has little to do with litter. How will your roosts be configured? If they span the 6' dimension and are placed 1 foot from the wall, that only gives your birds 2 feet to jump up and down. The higher the roost, the more of a "landing zone" they need. You'll want your roosts higher than your nest boxes at least. It would be better to have two roosts that span the 3' dimension. That would give the birds a larger landing area when hopping down. It would also keep droppings on the opposite side from the nesting boxes (if you follow the design of the pic you posted) so the birds won't track poop into the nests.

Again, it's not related to litter or floor material, but it is something to consider in the design and may change where you want clean out doors or droppings trays if you decide to go that route.

Good point. Thank you for the input. I'm not sure yet if I will put the nest boxes on the back or the sides. Do you see an issue with two nest boxes center in the back, with a roost on each side spanning 3'? Maybe solid floor from the run door to the nest box 4' wide, with wire under the roosts? This would provide a solid landing zone 4' long. I plan on the nest boxes being floor level.

 

[jmurf]

Than

Here's a new thought that has little to do with litter. How will your roosts be configured? If they span the 6' dimension and are placed 1 foot from the wall, that only gives your birds 2 feet to jump up and down. The higher the roost, the more of a "landing zone" they need. You'll want your roosts higher than your nest boxes at least. It would be better to have two roosts that span the 3' dimension. That would give the birds a larger landing area when hopping down. It would also keep droppings on the opposite side from the nesting boxes (if you follow the design of the pic you posted) so the birds won't track poop into the nests.

Again, it's not related to litter or floor material, but it is something to consider in the design and may change where you want clean out doors or droppings trays if you decide to go that route.

Thank you for the tips. I haven't decided on nest box- roost placement yet. I may center two slightly above floor level nest boxes in the back wall and a roost on each 3' side. What are your thoughts on solid floor, from the run door to the nest boxes, and wire under the roosts? This would also provide them with a 3-4' landing area.