Show me your poop traps!

[aart]

It does seem like a great idea, however, my roosts are corner roosts so my poop area is essentially a triangle.

Maybe change the roosts?
Corner roosts aren't real efficient anyway.

where i plan to put the elevated poop trap, the chickens couldn't get to it to eat it even if they wanted to tho, so i wouldn't have to worry about it.

If they can get to the roost above the tray, how would they not get at the tray?

Post pics of your coop showing roosts?

 

[illinoishiker]

I got a bit alarmed at the kitty litter idea. I would not want that in my compost/garden. Certainly not scented and it turns into a slick gooey mess when wet. It might work ok for under the roosts esp if you can keep the chickens out of it and keep it dry. Unscented. There are alternative things used for cat litter that might work better.

 

[jreardon1918]

We have a 4'x8' coop. Last summer we removed the poop boards to alter the roosts. We wanted to move them a bit further from the walls and ceiling. After doing this and adding an additional roost, we decided to try no poop boards. We added pine shavings throughout the summer/fall. In the late fall we cleaned out the shavings and dumped then in the run. In the next week we will do a full clean out of the winter buildup. Which is fairly easy in our coop. As the back side can completely open. We just rake the shavings and poops on to a tarp. The tarp is dragged into run. Just prior to any clean out, we extract some compost from the run and add it to gardens.

We may consider putting back poop boards this summer. We were not good at daily scooping. So trying deep litter seemed like an ok trial. This winter, there was no offensive smell. And no humidity build up. There is probably a considerable poop buildup now. We will eventually add a few more chicks. But that will require a coop addition.

There are pictures of the old poop boards in our coop article. I should have mentioned the poop boards were heavy. So removing to clean was a pain. With the roosts lower now. Scooping without removal might work. Again so many plans...

 

[CoopsNPoops]

Maybe change the roosts?
Corner roosts aren't real efficient anyway.

If they can get to the roost above the tray, how would they not get at the tray?

Post pics of your coop showing roosts?

It works for them. The chickens would never attempt trying to get behind their roosts

 

[CoopsNPoops]

I got a bit alarmed at the kitty litter idea. I would not want that in my compost/garden. Certainly not scented and it turns into a slick gooey mess when wet. It might work ok for under the roosts esp if you can keep the chickens out of it and keep it dry. Unscented. There are alternative things used for cat litter that might work better.

Oh gosh, i wasn't considering using kitty litter, was just joking that an unscented clumping scoopable kitty litter would be ideal for poop trays, lol. The clay litter i was referring to that my client uses isnt kitty litter so to speak, its just a general litter used for many different things. Its non toxic, unscented, and dust free. I dont see why it wouldn't be safe for them. Even if they accidentally ingested some, which i would make sure they couldn't, i don't see how it would be any different than natural soil and nautural clays they ingest free ranging daily.

 

[Unsworth]

I got tired of the mess on the floor. Attracted mites. I set up a shelf under the roosts and put trays to catch the bulk of the poop in the house. I sprinkle DE on the litter about two weeks after I change the trays. I put cardboard or paper and it makes it easier to clean them. So much better for me.

 

[dogpatchchickens]

Filled with sweet pdz. I've got a kitty litter scooper hanging on the wall, takes 2min a day to scoop it out and put it in a 5 gallon bucket, when it's full I empty it into the compost pile

 

[dogpatchchickens]

I became a chicken mom 4 yrs ago. I made a poop tray and have been putting sand in it with a little PDZ to help control the odor. I usually scoop every day. It sure makes cleaning easy

Oh gosh, i wasn't considering using kitty litter, was just joking that an unscented clumping scoopable kitty litter would be ideal for poop trays, lol. The clay litter i was referring to that my client uses isnt kitty litter so to speak, its just a general litter used for many different things. Its non toxic, unscented, and dust free. I dont see why it wouldn't be safe for them. Even if they accidentally ingested some, which i would make sure they couldn't, i don't see how it would be any different than natural soil and nautural clays they ingest free ranging daily.

 

[dogpatchchickens]

Have you tried using sand? I've had my girls 4 yrs and have been using sand and a little PDZ. It's worked out very well and is definitely cheaper.

 

[CoopsNPoops]

Have you tried using sand? I've had my girls 4 yrs and have been using sand and a little PDZ. It's worked out very well and is definitely cheaper.

I haven't tried it, but very highly considering it. Once the rain slacks up for the season, we are building a bigger/better coop. I will use corner roosts again, as it maxamizes the floor space for me. It's worked out great in their 4x6 coop. It most definitely was the best option for space in there. I was just looking for ideas of poop traps for the new coop because it seems easier to maintain. Sand for now though i believe will help the cleanup for their coop they currently have.