Rubber mats over wood floor with deep litter method?

[Storybook Farm]

I am rehabbing a shed to a coop. Here it is:

We were keeping sheep in here and the floor was iffy, so we put down thick rubber mats, such as you find in horse stalls. I am going to clean the coop tomorrow, and put down first shavings, DE, etc. I have read many pages of the deep litter thread and no one said whether rubber mats retard the composing process, as does a linoleum floor.

Basically, i think the rubber mats would insulate the building and benefit the birds, but want to make a good decision re: deep litter effectiveness. Anyone know? (I could also add some dry compost/dirt as a bottom layer if it would help.)

 

[Folly's place]

You'll be so glad to have a real building! I have rubber mats over an old broken concrete floor, because it's easier to shovel out the litter. It also stays drier, so no mold on the bottom layer. If it doesn't compost as fast, that's okay with me. You will need more windows and ventilation, and make sure it's dig-proof. Mary

 

[Storybook Farm]

Thanks for the reply!

I put up a different post asking about windows and roosts. Does anyone have roosts in front of windows? These would be new, and what Im wondering about is cold air in winter... vs having more natural light/ventilation in summer.

Anyone?