Run flooring

[bluefrog87]

Thanks. I have rubber mats in my stables and because they are kept spotless I don't get an issue with smells.

I really don't like sand for here.

What about a wood chipping covering the concrete totally? It can be hosed through and replaced when needed?

It's not when they are intact that is a problem it's when scratched and it starts getting deep in the porous rubber. Most stable animal are able to leave the seal intact. Someone had the same logic as you and sent childhood me to clean it. Aren't kids great for these sorts of things.


Pine shavings or straw be your best bet for litter dependent where you live. In the south straw is cheaper and in the north pine shavings are cheaper.

 

[sam1980]

Ok thanks. I think straw or shavings would blow around a bit. I found a site that uses wood chips. Im not sure if I can post a link to see what everyone thinks?

 

[sam1980]

This might be a daft question but....

someone mentioned pvc tray as a run base. What about pvc mats? Better than rubber mats???

 

[bluefrog87]

That was me.

I don't know enough about pvc mats.

The tray I know about is made of pvc sheets to preference with hot glue. As long as you have enough litter it shouldn't be too slippery and it's super easy to clean. It works best with a hardware cloth platform.

The pvc is easy hosed.

 

[sam1980]

Ok. In my local merchants today they had non slip waterproof non porus matting on the roll. Im assuming if its non porus and waterproof it wont hold on to smells.

The plan is to raise the whole coop off the ground with heavy duty plastic pallets. Then to cover the pallets with something like the rubber flooring. And then a chunky wood chipping on top.

The idea is to raise the coop and run enough so the flooding will not affect the birds in any way.

 

[jetdog]

I used landscape fabric/weed mat with sand on top. The fabric is designed to let the water flow through and leave the material. It's what I used and has worked great.

 

[bluefrog87]

Ok. In my local merchants today they had non slip waterproof non porus matting on the roll. Im assuming if its non porus and waterproof it wont hold on to smells.

The plan is to raise the whole coop off the ground with heavy duty plastic pallets. Then to cover the pallets with something like the rubber flooring. And then a chunky wood chipping on top.

The idea is to raise the coop and run enough so the flooding will not affect the birds in any way.

The porous is the problem with the unsealed porous rubber (and chickens love to unseal things). Without knowing the materiel, I have no idea but I hope it works.

The pallet idea seems sound

My only cautions is make sure it isn't cedar or other material poisonous to chickens. Pine wood chips however are known to be a good choice.

Cedar litter has a tendency to harbor bad bacteria and it causes respiratory issues.

 

[sam1980]

Thanks. I guess if the rubber doesn't work I can throw it and start again.

When you say make sure it isn't cedar are you referring to the chipping or the pallets? The chipping recommend was from a poultry site.
http://www.newlandpoultry.com/CHICKEN-RUN-MUD-MANAGEMENT(1720020).htm

hope its ok to post the link

 

[cafarmgirl]

Ok. In my local merchants today they had non slip waterproof non porus matting on the roll. Im assuming if its non porus and waterproof it wont hold on to smells.

The plan is to raise the whole coop off the ground with heavy duty plastic pallets. Then to cover the pallets with something like the rubber flooring. And then a chunky wood chipping on top.

The idea is to raise the coop and run enough so the flooding will not affect the birds in any way.

I think this or stall mats would work fine. I prefer my chickens on the bare ground but I understand the issues you are dealing with. I've used horse stall mat's in my barn when we had horses, they are extremely tough and not remotely porous, they did not absorb any liquid or smells. If they can stand up to a shod horse pawing at them while he tries to dig a hole to China they will stand up to chickens just fine.

 

[sam1980]

Thanks this was my first thought as my 4 year old horse is very rough with his mats. And here we have two kinds, a soft light weight mat and a heavy mat which takes two people to move one mat they are blooming heavy.

I must say im not sure what to try now