Shiny new coop, ground cover suggestion?

[5Chances]

Hi! I haven’t posted in a while, I’ve had chickens for about 17 years and was down to just my two old ladies and then the chicken distribution fairy decided it was my turn… so now I’m taking my chicken love next level so I can really spend time with them and raise more babies.

My husband & sons built my new coop- it has a 10x10 house and 10x28 “porch” (pen). All fully enclosed. I have fine pine shavings on the coop floor, which is working well. But I have been reading here that wood mulch makes ideal ground cover for the larger porch area (- where they will spend the majority of their day.) Also that leaves are a good mix in option? Thoughts on that? We have huge oak trees in our yard so leaves are never in short supply. Making use of them for a change would be nice! My concern is just the cleaning. I like to keep their area clean, I've also seen some on here suggest sand, so I am open to what works best for others. My older flock are free ranging by day but my babies (6 hens, 2 Roos) will not be doing that on a daily basis (though we do live on acreage)

I’m attaching pics of my coop and would love to hear what works best for y’all in a large run type area! (Last pic shows inside run area as we finished it up)

 

[GodLovesU]

That’s a gorgeous coop!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@DobieLover

 

[5Chances]

That’s a gorgeous coop!

Thank you so much. My old one has served me well, but is on its LAST leg, so I wanted something that would serve us well over the years to come!

 

[aart]

I like to keep their area clean, I've also seen some on here suggest sand, so I am open to what works best for others.

Well, if you want to keep it 'cleaned', then sand might work.
Unless you live where it freezes, then sand might not work so well.

I do not like to clean, my run is not covered and coarse wood chippings work well for the poops to degrade so no odors.
@DobieLover uses the same and her run is covered like yours.
I sometimes mix dry leaves and/or grass in with it.
If you have space to store a big pile of wood chippings from a tree trimmer you could be set for years.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I was wondering two things. Oops, three. Is there enough ventilation in the coop? Will that bare metal roof drip condensation? And should there be roosts over the nests so the hens won't sleep IN the nests? Otherwise, color me green with envy, it is beautiful!

 

[5Chances]

I was wondering two things. Oops, three. Is there enough ventilation in the coop? Will that bare metal roof drip condensation? And should there be roosts over the nests so the hens won't sleep IN the nests? Otherwise, color me green with envy, it is beautiful!

Yes, there are vents on the opposite wall, you just can't see them well from the pictures and we have two windows. We have not had any issue with tin and condensation, my old coop is also under a tin roof. They have the roosting ladder, these are my babies, they aren't laying yet so they don't even pay attention to the boxes yet but they are quite fond of their ladder. Thank you

 

[5Chances]

Well, if you want to keep it 'cleaned', then sand might work.
Unless you live where it freezes, then sand might not work so well.

I do not like to clean, my run is not covered and coarse wood chippings work well for the poops to degrade so no odors.
@DobieLover uses the same and her run is covered like yours.
I sometimes mix dry leaves and/or grass in with it.
If you have space to store a big pile of wood chippings from a tree trimmer you could be set for years.

We live in Georgia so freezing isnt a huge issue for us but I like the wood mulch idea. Seems like it would be easier to supply material. And I'm reading it helps the poop break down easier, I'm good with wood if that's the case!

 

[aart]

We live in Georgia

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[DobieLover]

Below are shots of my run. As you can see, they also have access to a large fenced in pen. So they spend most of their fair weather time in the pen but do loiter on the branches at the back of the run in the mornings after breakfast.
This set up has been running for 6 years and I've never removed anything from the run. I just add a trailer load of free wood chips as needed. There is no smell from the run.