Newbies with coop questions (dirt floor, etc...)

[Chicky Joy]

We have a good size coop and a decent size run for our chickens (8). We converted an exsisting structure and added the fenced in yard/run. Is it ok to have a dirt floor in the coop? Should we put straw or shavings down on the floor?

 

[WoodlandWoman]

If it was me, I'd put down shavings inside the coop. I'd also look at ways to keep predators from digging into the coop. Some dirt floor coops have wire buried under the floor, some have it buried around the outside.

Dirt floor coops make nice composted litter!

 

[ChuckenGirl]

I have a dirt floor, plus chickens need to dust bathe so as long as the coop is secure at the bottom, you can have one.

 

[Akane]

Dirt floors can work but I'd put something on it. At least a good layer of shavings. Over time dirt floors will either wear away if you are sweeping/cleaning them directly or build up with waste if you don't clean it off. We used to have all dirt floored buildings at the old place and after many years they could become a nightmare especially during years we ran short in the winter and didn't use enough bedding for the animals. Reason we did crushed limestone as the base for all the buildings on our new place. Not as hard as concrete, way cheaper, but it hasn't worn away like the dirt or built up that layer of crud that can't really be removed without digging up several inches of the floor. Plus when we have any spilled water buckets or pipe leaks the limestone just compacts down more where the dirt turned to a muck hole for weeks to months and was uneven when it finally did dry.

 

[Robin L]

Ive had my hens (9) for a year and they live in an old storage building with a dirt floor. I do put straw and shavings down and clean once a week. I have not had any problem with predators at all. All of the chickens (the 9 layers and 8 babies) love the dirt floor (specially the babies) I do seem to loose some dirt with every cleaning but can get more dirt.

 

[barney]

We have a dirt floor.... The girls love it! We have wire buried in the ground & cement over the wire, then we filled the hole with the dirt.... So far so good!