Should I put wire in the bottom of my coop? sand, dirt? help!

[FirstLady]

Our amish chicken coop came last week and it is beautiful. It is 5'x8', has 6 nesting boxes and roosting poles and great ventilation. While I am waiting for my chickens to grow up I started to build their run and I recently finished. The run is made of 2x4s. The run is 4'x8' and 6'high. It also has a top. I used 2x4s and black welded wire 1"x1". It looks great and all the panels are done! Now I have to decide if I should put wire in the bottom of the run. I heard this is bad for the chicken's feet? If I do put wire on the bottom of the run I want to put sand or dirt ontop of this. How much sand/dirt will I need? How deep can they scratch? I really wanted them to be on grass but if i have to use sand, Is sand okay for ducks also? Thanks!

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
You could use an apron instead. Kind of a skirt around the base of the coop on the outside on the ground. it would take about the same amount of wire but fastened securely to the base of the coop will definately discourage diggers. Otherwise you will need to fill the run at least 8-10 inches deep with sand. Maybe more.

 

[JustAChickenLittle&More]

This is interesting, so...how deep should the pine chips be in a coop to keep it pretty dry, and non-smelly? Also, how often do you change those chips?

Perchie...got any pics of that amish coop, approx costs? Thanks!

 

[BrattishTaz]

Are you wanting to put wire on the bottom of the run for predator control? I would just use a skirt as the previous poster mentioned. Then you can have whatever you want on the ground. I have been hearing so many good things about sand that I am going to try it in my new coop with the run divided with sand/grass.

 

[perchie.girl]

JustAChickenLittle&More :

This is interesting, so...how deep should the pine chips be in a coop to keep it pretty dry, and non-smelly? Also, how often do you change those chips?

Perchie...got any pics of that amish coop, approx costs? Thanks!

Not my coop....lol...

Actually I believe we were talking about the run not the coop. But in the coop you can use sand as well just scoop with a kitty litter scooper. Some people here use deep litter in their coops and turn it all over with a rake to help it dry out. Adding Diatomaceous earth to help dry it out and keep down parasites. Also they throw in some treats and let the chickens dig for them stirring the litter to get everything evenly distributed.

Other people put down linoleum then cover it with about four inches of shavings. But put a poop tray under the roosts. They clean this tray out daily. There are as many ways to do this it appears as there are people who raise chickens.... LOL.

Look up Deep litter Look up sand in coops.... There are bunches of people talking about their successes with each. I think it really depends on what you feel will work for you.​

 

[hennyannie]

I use sand in my run and it really help out with drainage. Also when it rains it does not get muddy so they are not getting mud in the nest box. The girls have a blast dusting too.

 

[M111557]

Can I use kitty litter?? Just got coop yesterday n don't know what to put in run if anything?
I'm on a fixed income what works best n keeps smell down?
An how do I get rid of these nasty flies or whatever they are.
Their all around the chickens n only have 3.

 

[CHICKEN INDY]

Quote:
No I wouldn't use Kitty Litter, its course and will probably clump up bad when it gets wet. You can use sand and mix in Sweet PDZ to absorb oder and help dry the poop. Its totally safe to use it with chickens. After a few days you can just sift it out with a pool screen or something similar. Put the chicken poop in a bucket and then transfer it to a compost bin. After 45-60 days the compost will be cured and can be safely used in a vegtible garden. http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Pdz-Pow...UTF8&qid=1370535738&sr=8-2&keywords=sweet+pdz

 

[M111557]

Why is the shipping so incredibly high!! Im going to see about getting it locally.

 

[M111557]

Since started feeding my chickens coffee grounds n watermelon rinds do I still need to give em chicken feed?