new hen owner,should i build a floor in the hen house/proper cleaning

[springviews]

hi i am new w/ chickens we made a hen house off the side of my old horse shed the walls arent complete but should i put a floor in it the winters here in central illinois arent to extreme can i use wood chips,should it be straw,thanks to all who can help me out.

 

[greenmulberry]

I think a dirt floor is fine, if it stays dry.

I use wood shavings, pine ones, but you could use straw if you like. I think straw gets massier faster, but people use both.

 

[patandchickens]

A dirt floor is quite reasonable IMO as long as a) it is always well drained -- it does not tend to get muddy or damp when you have the spring thaw or big rains -- and b) you can adequately protect it from predators that want to tunnel under walls. Assuming that a is true and you can rig something suitable up for b, I'd say go for it.

Good luck and have fun,

Pat