Vinyl flooring? Why not just dirt?

[australorpchick]

Habitat for Humanity Resale shops sometimes carry vinyl tiles, too. I bought enough for 40 sq ft for $12.

 

[Zahboo]

My floor is going to be raised, so a dirt floor wouldn't work. I like to sanitize the coop 4 times a year, to make sure there is no mold, pests ect. I like to have shavings and the dirt allows moles and such to get in. Personal preferences I guess.

 

[franko]

For what it's worth. I have a dirt floor. My coop is about seven by twelve. It is in a large pen. I put straw in and when it needs changing , I rake it out and put it in my garden or compost box. My chickens range part of the time and stay in the pen when I leave. Not much of a problem to me. franko

 

[NJbirdlover]

We are in the process of building our coop. It is not raised but we did build a floor with vinyl over the wood. I wanted to feel secure in knowing that when they are in their house, they are completely safe. Nothing can dig under and get in. Also, like some of the other posts, I think it would be easier to clean. Just my 2 cents.

 

[EllyMae]

WHat aobut putting a stall mat over the dirt floor for a quick fix? THat way you would have more of a solid type surface. THe stall mat would be quick and easy...unless you have a HUGE hen house. Mine is 8x10 and I'm thinking about putting a stall mat on my dirt floor.

 

[Chicken Fruit]

Its easier to keep clean. Thats why we're using it.

 

[BeardedChick]

Quote:
I would think it would work reasonably well. They are easy to disinfect, but you might have to pull it up at some point and remove crud around the edges if you ever had a disease problem in your flock.

 

[EllyMae]

Quote:
I would think it would work reasonably well. They are easy to disinfect, but you might have to pull it up at some point and remove crud around the edges if you ever had a disease problem in your flock.

That was what I was thinking...I haven't moved my flock to the new place yet because I haven't finished with the predator "Proofing" of it yet. Hardware cloth is a 'female dog' to work with!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Although, so are stall mats

, especially if you want a snug fit (and you *do* want a snug fit)...

I think the reason stall mats are not commonly used by BYCers is that you have to first establish a very flat firm durable floor -- well-tamped limestone screenings is by far the best, unless you've already got a concrete slab -- and then for (say) an 8x10 coop it'll be something on the order of $150 for the stall mats, unless prices have dropped *precipitously* since I lived down there (and they sure haven't up here).

If a person has 'em, and is willing to prepare the ground underneath, though, they make a perfectly good floor.

(If you don't establish a very firm flat stable surface, the mats will buckle and shift, and nasty stuff iwll accumulate underneath and commence to stink, and although it doesn't happen in horse stalls I feel fairly confident that in a coop you'd get mice living under lumpily-fitted mats)

JMO,

Pat

 

[EllyMae]

Quote:
Although, so are stall mats

, especially if you want a snug fit (and you *do* want a snug fit)...

I think the reason stall mats are not commonly used by BYCers is that you have to first establish a very flat firm durable floor -- well-tamped limestone screenings is by far the best, unless you've already got a concrete slab -- and then for (say) an 8x10 coop it'll be something on the order of $150 for the stall mats, unless prices have dropped *precipitously* since I lived down there (and they sure haven't up here).

If a person has 'em, and is willing to prepare the ground underneath, though, they make a perfectly good floor.

(If you don't establish a very firm flat stable surface, the mats will buckle and shift, and nasty stuff iwll accumulate underneath and commence to stink, and although it doesn't happen in horse stalls I feel fairly confident that in a coop you'd get mice living under lumpily-fitted mats)

JMO,

Pat

Thanks for the input...although I'm no stranger to stall mats. I have horses and I currently use them. I have a stack of them(some given to me) that aren't being used and thought I would put them to good use. My dirt floor is very hard packed dirt...I restored a 50+ year old shed/building that was on our property and it has a great foundation. The stall mats were a kind of "aha" moment when working on finishing touches of my new hen house.