Plywood Floor?

[team_realtree]

The floor of my new coop is now just a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood (I don't have the chickens yet). So what is the standard to put down and how do you clean it? I hear about linoleum being put down but would like to see if I can bypass that.

Does anyone use just plywood with say hay or straw? Its 4x8 if it matters. Also if you could add how you clean your method of bedding I would REALLY apprecaite it

 

[greenbeandreams]

I'm pretty new but we have plywood with pine shavings over it - deep litter. Watching this thread to see what other folks do.

 

[PandoraTaylor]

I have plywood floor; hay, Food grade DE & pine shavings over it, I rake it daily and remove wet parts with trowel or shovel. Clean dropping boards daily with bucket & Sheet Rock Trowel.
add fresh at least weekly, and rake smooth. The chickens do the most mixing when scratching around.

ETA: when I clean it all out, I use the rake and move it to the doorway, shovel into garbage bags for hauling to the garden or compost. add a nice sprinkle of DE, then hay, then pine shavings.

 

[Baymen Moe]

I have linoleum over plywood in my 8x8 coop. You could get a sheet of 4x8 for short money and it would be worth it. I picked up a scrap sheet for mine for under $20. I have dropping boards and have had the same shavings in my coop since May. I just fluff what's there and add a fresh layer once and a while.

 

[team_realtree]

Where do you get these pine shavings? Is it the same stuff people use for hamsters and guinea pigs ect?

 

[Opa]

You didn't post how large your coop is. If it's large enough to walk in 1/2 won't be of sufficent thickness. Any floor would benifit by the installation of a vinyl floor and be easier to clean and keep moisture away from the plywood.

 

[team_realtree]

Quote:
I did post it

 

[teach1rusl]

Well I use vinyl and love it...very easy to clean and no moisture damage. I've read about some folks using a heavy porch paint to seal their coop floors...really putting it on thick. It sounds like your coop is a walk-in??? Half inch plywood won't be the sturdiest, so I'd worry more about leaving it bare (not including bedding) and susceptible to moisture damage. Just something to consider...

 

[team_realtree]

Quote:
Yes it is a walkin more like a small shed. What moisture are we talking about exactly?

 

[Opa]

I would add at least 1/4 plywood to the floor. Install it so that it runs across the existing flooring and screw it down. The moisture is from the urine in the droppings and also from the humidity generated by your birds exhalation.