question about flooring

[nicola86]

Hi im going to make a nice biggish - walk in one hen house. Question do you have a ground on yours? I would like one but it is just a lot more work so was wondering if you don't have a ground on it what do you do to keep it looking nice and fresh or do you think i should do a ground no matter what? Thanks

 

[miraclz5]

I am new to the chicken thing....however, from what I have read, putting in an actual floor reduces the possibility that predators can get in through the floor! Predators on the top ten most wanted list can all dig if they have too..

 

[Judy]

Most people use some form of deep litter method (see link.) Pine shavings are probably the most common litter as they help control odor, but many other materials are used, hay, straw, pine straw, ground up corn cobs, rice hulls, etc., -- whatever is available where you live. Floors are often OSB or plywood, covered with linoleum or well painted, or dirt.

I have had several dirt floor coops over the years, and would not have anything else because to me they are the easiest; generallly I need only stir the pine shavings to control flies or odors, occasionally adding a little pine shavings or pelletized lime (Sweet PDZ works well too.) The litter is only removed when wanted for the garden or compost. My coop is about 11x17. I think it took 6 or 8 bags to cover it initially, but only a few bags a year after that, usually along with some hay as I use hay in nest boxes. The trick is to keep the dirt and litter DRY. In my area that meant adding about 6" to 8" of dirt to the site before building the coop.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1560-DLM

 

[sammin71]

I just built a coop and did use plywood for the floor it was a bit more expensive but once you get the floor covered you build right on top and things go pretty easy i did 8x11 so i could use 6 inch overhang on each end so the roof would come out even 12 long. I have a pnuematic framing nailer had it all framed and closed in by myself in a wknd.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Predator proofing is a whole other matter. With dirt, you basically have two choices. My coop has metal walls and the metal extends down about a foot into the dirt. You can also lay something like hardware cloth (wire mesh) on the ground about a foot or two out from the coop walls. Of course this needs to be secured to the coop. If you have a way to secure the outside part, you can let grass grow up through and the roots will hold it -- if it is flat enough you can even mow over it. Some people also use things like paving stones or even large logs though I don't know how predator proof this is.