Shavings in your coop? Cleaning sand?

[XscoreX]

Im pretty new to chickens. I started off with 3 silkies and pretty quickly lost one to a hawk. So ive had a coop sized for 10 full grown birds holding 2 bantams. I just come in and clean it out about once a month and its been ok. Well now I just put 3 mille fleurs and I have 5 cochins coming in right behind them. So now I will need to clean alot more. Whats the proper way? Do you put pine shavings in the coop or should i just leave the floor bare and sweep it out with a hand brush? They seem to just kick the shavingd out into the run. Also how should I clean my sand run? I try raking but it seems to just mix the sand and poop together. Then i pour diatomaceous earth and rake it into the sand. Am I doing it right? Here is a picture of my coop

 

[Spartan22]

You’ve definitely have to clean more often, since the coop/run looks like it’s only good for 3-4 chickens. A combination of pine shavings, sand and sweet pdz might help but no offense way too small for 10 chickens.

 

[XscoreX]

Oh lord that sucks. I was told it would hold about 10 full size birds. I figured I was golden with 10 bantams. My plan is to give away and roosters once my mille fleurs and cochins feather out. I would like to be at 6 to 8 birds total. So do I need another coop? I would like them to free range but It seems like I have a lot of hawks and ospreys and even bald eagles since I live in a big lake and Im scared of losing more

 

[Clemmy]

I would not use sand, even though it keeps coops temp regulated. I use large pine shavings, and every week or two, sweep or clean it out. I agree that your coop can properly fit about 3-4 birds. Kind of like mine. I only have three birds though, so it's not a huge problem...

 

[Dani & Mikey]

I am pretty new to this chicken keeping situation but I am going to add my 2 cents. Before I actually got my chickens I was trying hard to decide DLM or sand in the run. I decided to deep litter. I think with the sand you’re supposed to scoop it out, like a big litter box. With deep litter you rake it in & mix it up so it can start composing.
Curious, what are the dimensions of your coop?

 

[Spartan22]

I know right? Even for bantams the set up is cramped and small. Free ranging is almost a myth in my property, since we have lots of hawks, neighbors dogs or cats and other predators.

 

[XscoreX]

I believe the run dimensions are 8 x 4 do i need a bigger run or is the actual coop the problem

 

[Spartan22]

I believe the run dimensions are 8 x 4 do i need a bigger run or is the actual coop the problem

The run itself is almost 4’x3’ gauging from the size of the cinder blocks you’ve place around it. That means the coop is probably just 2x3, over all too small when the weather is bad they’ll be huddled in that small coop for a long time, that could cause problems of pecking, bloody feather picking or cannibalism and diseases starts breeding, even with the most diligent chicken keepers, we will falter and missed cleaning due to life business. Chickens are the happiest and prettiest when there’s enough room and in a healthy environment. Believe me I almost bought the same set up but canceled after considering weather conditions in my climate.

 

[XscoreX]

Here is a little better view with a perspective. As you can see it fits perfectly in my 4 x 8 trailer. The run goes under the coop. I have a base layer of gravel tamped down then construction sand about 4 to 6"s deep. Mixed with diatomaceous earth.

 

[NNYchick]

I have to agree your coop and run is too small for 10 bantams, especially if you are not letting them out. I also don’t see any type of ventilation? My coop/run is 16x8 and I have 8 Silkies but after nest boxes, dust bath area, food and water they are cramped. I’m adding another 8x8 area because in my climate they are in all winter. I like using pine shavings for bedding and dry leaves in the run.