Rubber mats for concrete floor

[SarahGfa]

Yes, it's amazing how that works! Think of it this way … those mats are designed to deal with 1000-1500lb horses walking, pawing, laying down, getting up, pooping and peeing, for 24/7 for horses without a turnout - so whatever you're going to do with them … they will last. They are heavy, and if you have to trim them down, you'll want a nice fresh box-cutter blade in your box cutter.

The easiest way to move them is to roll them up, duct-tape around the roll, then put a 2x4 board through the center- one person on each side lifts up on the 2x4 board- much more manageable.

that is a smart idea. I was wondering how I would get them moved into the coop, when they weigh a hundred pounds each!

 

[Shezadandy]

that is a smart idea. I was wondering how I would get them moved into the coop, when they weigh a hundred pounds each!

Yep! Didn't start off knowing that but figured it out. =) Depending on the distance and how tall you and your helper are, you can also just drape it over a 2x4, so each side would have 3 feet (if you've got a 4x6 mat) or 4 feet (4x8) hanging down on each side. Much easier to hang onto the board than the mat!

We built the stall mats right into all of our animal buildings, goats and chickens. The plywood floor goes down, then the mats, then the wall frames and so on.

 

[RaZ]

I agree with stall mats being the best option for the long run, along with a deep litter of shaving and/or straw.

A few years ago, I was experimenting with deep litter on a cement floor. I laid down several layers of cardboard over the cement floor. I remember that walking on the cardboard was sort of springy. Not bounce house springy but a subtle give as I wheel-barrowed in the rest of the litter material. After 2+ years that cardboard was still intact when I pulled it all out.

If you don't want to spend the money for the mats, you can usually get free cardboard from liquor and grocery stores. And you can compost it.

 

[Compost King]

I would use Cardboard for that, change it out as you change out bedding. I have a concrete floor coop and I am putting in cardboard tomorrow.

 

[RaZ]

I would use Cardboard for that, change it out as you change out bedding. I have a concrete floor coop and I am putting in cardboard tomorrow.

For my experiment, I had about 2 inches of cardboard as a base for the deep litter. Half the bedding was straw, the other half was flakes (TSC bagged stuff). At the end of my trial, all bedding was removed and the cardboard was not degraded at all. 18 to 20 inches of bedding kept moisture from reaching the cardboard.

I would let the cardboard stay on the floor and only replace it if it becomes damaged or wet.

PS I use cardboard on the floor at my work benches, anti-fatigue mats.

 

[Compost King]

Yep RaZ I used them when I had jobs that required me to stand in one spot, I would find a damaged box or discarded box and make a pad at the start of each shift when I did factory work.