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Sorry to bother you guys again, but Im worried about the concrete poop scenario. I picture washing out the poop trays pretty much every day as part of my rounds. Anyway, how much time will they be spending on the roosting dowels since they are going to be basically free ranging? How much doo can there be? The only time I have been around chickens was when I went with my Grandpa to a local egg farm to load the truck with poop. Been about 30 years ago, now (wow, Im getting old). That was not a pleasant experience in any way poor prison birds nesting in wire cages. All I remember is that the poop was pretty squishy, and piled about two feet high beneath the bird prisons. Not a fun job to shovel up a long wheel base truck load of it. And my Grandpa had to pay for it, too! Im going to give the wash tray idea a shot anyway, Ill let you know if it works by next summer.
My other dilemma is flooring. Should I just go with a dirt floor and do the deep litter method? Or sand with regular maintenance? Some kind of flooring with some wood chips? I just dont see the birds spending a lot of time in there since they can free range and their feeders will be housed a hundred feet from the coop (to help encourage the ranging). They are Dominiques, after all.
I'm overwhelmed with the positive responses! Thank you!
I don't think I mentioned this but this was the first coop I have ever built. I built this coop with designs and ideas from our own faults on our coop and with ideas from my client. I wanted a coop to blend in with the classy style of the neighborhood but still have a bit of that country charm. This coop was a true delight to build and I can't wait to build another one.
My client has had his chickens since thursday night and has been a proud poppa since. I tried to explain to him the enjoyment they bring and he has finally seen what all the fuss was about. He is just thrilled.
Thanks again for all the responses. We do appreciate it!!
Im worried about the concrete poop scenario. I picture washing out the poop trays pretty much every day as part of my rounds.
I had an idea- what if you "sprayed" the pans with a vegetable oil or cooking oil of some kind- then the "poop" wouldn't stick. Maybe a local fast food restaurant would give you a gallon or two of their french fry oil.. just a thought....
Vegetable oil, thats an interesting idea. Thinking about the intended use of my poo proceeds, that is to say adding it to compost, I wonder if it would be okay. I know you arent supposed to put animal fats in the compost bin