question about the flooring of chicken coop

[gottaluvchickens]

We are using a shed that mom bought for my son as a clubhouse (he outgrew it) as our chicken coop. Then we have added the run part. My question is what should I be using on the floor on the shed? I don't have anything on the bottom of it beside the original floor. I shovel it out every couple of weeks, but should I have something else on it? This fall we are going to add to the run and put more shelter and more open space but that we just be the good ole earth beneath it. Should I put something over there too when we add on? Thanks again in advance.

 

[NancyP]

I think it is a personal preference thing. The chickens won't mind a dirt floor.
Nancy

 

[chickenlady81]

I just posted pretty much the same question. I'm in the process of turning a barn stall into a coop. The top of the stall is open (there is a roof but higher than the stall) so I'm closing up the top to keep it warm in the winter. The floor inside is dirt and I'm wondering if i should put something down to cover it or just leave the dirt. I'm just wondering if i raise the floor some mice might like the new place to nest but it might be easier to clean in the long run...UGH the dilemma...

 

[the simple life]

I would go with what you would rather clean.
I personally like the floors, the dirt can get pretty nasty and harder to clean.
Flooring can be shoveled, swept, hosed down etc.

 

[chickenlady81]

Quote:
The shed there in now has a dirt floor and they seem to scratch up the dirt and make huge holes in the ground. Im thinking a floor of some sort would work best..Maybe I can put something under it to keep the mice out???

 

[the simple life]

You could run hardware cloth around the bottom to help keep out the unwanted critters.
I have coops that have the wood floors built into them because they were built to be sheds and the wood is very tight fitting and it also does not sit directly on the ground, its on floor joists.
You may want to consider something like that as well.

 

[chickenlady81]

Thanks everyone for the great advice....We decided to keep it dirt for now. If I wanted to change it later I could no problem. I finished the coop today and it looks great..will have to take some pictures tomorrow. The new little ones just love it now they can stretch there wings!