Poop boards and scratching

[crazyhen]

Does anyone have trouble with their hens scratching the poop boards and making a mess? How far down from the roost do they need to be. Can you make a cover of chicken wire over them? Does anyone have a pic. of one like that? I am getting ready to put them in my coop. I have like a hammock type catcher but want to change to a permanent way of controling the stinkers. Thanks

Gloria Jean

 

[Ridgerunner]

Here is a shot of mine. I cover it with a heavy duty plastic sheet. I just roll the plastic up every 4 or 5 day and take it to my compost heap and shake it out. It is about time to take it out in this photo. I have no problems with them scratching the poop off the plastic. It is about one foot below the roost.

I've seen posts on here where people do as you mentioned, cover a bin of some type with wire. I'd suggest wire with larger openings than chicken wire. Due to its consistency, the poop will likely stick to the wire and you may need to occasionally scrape it to get it to fall down into the bin. I'd think 2" x 4" palstic coated welded wire would be a good choice, but i have not done it that way.

Good luck!!!

 

[crazyhen]

Thats a thought. I have some 2x4 wire I could use and probably work better. You saved me some frustration later.

Its hard for me right now anyway. thanks again.