Screen above poop tray maybe?

[Farm Scout]

I'm going to be getting some chicks and am looking for the best options for everything on this site, all while concocting, or tripping over, "new" ideas. Note, I'm converting a shed...

Question:

Would it work to use a screen (e.g. old window screens, mesh, 1/4" hardware cloth, or other) under the roosts as a "poop tray?"

I also thought this could be suspended above a tray with sand perhaps. Is this crazy? Would the poo just make a mess (well, duh) and slide on through?

My second thought was that these could rest on 2x4s (to hopefully avoid the egg makers destroying it all), be lifted off at cleaning time, and then brushed off with a stiff brush (the type for cleaning tires comes to mind).

Please tell me where I'm wrong, or maybe on to something, since it's pretty hard to be confident in attempting anything without ever having chickens.

Have a good day.

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

I wouldn't bother with a screen. Just create a poop board under the roosting bars (filled with sand) and you'll be good to go.

 

[Alaskan]

I wouldn't bother with a screen. Just create a poop board under the roosting bars (filled with sand) and you'll be good to go.

X2

The poop would just stick to the screen. I actually don't understand how anyone uses any kind of screen under a roost.

A poop tray or board under the roast is complete perfection.

You can make it out of a sheet of metal and scrape off the poop, line it with a feed bag or cardboard that you throw away when they get nasty, or make the poop tray with edges so that it acts like a giant kitty litter box.

If you go with the kitty litter box idea, don't use actual kitty litter, since that stuff isn't edible. Use sand, crushed rock, or Sweet PDZ.

 

[Farm Scout]

Great, thanks folks. The more I thought about it myself, I realized that the reason for the sand (or litter) is probably the same reason NOT to use a screen or whatever there. In fact, I could see how cleaning a bare screen could be worse than a bare floor. I know I was anxious to bounce some ideas off the experienced chicken wranglers here, but I didn't realize how well my foot fit into my mouth.

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

I know I was anxious to bounce some ideas off the experienced chicken wranglers here, but I didn't realize how well my foot fit into my mouth.

Not at all! We all started sometime and this site is here to offer people help