Wet spot in coop :( HELP!!!!

[Broodica]

Finally got my 9 week old chicks/pullets(?) not sure when they become pullets.....into their coop yesterday. It is raining like crazy today, non-stop pouring. I went to check on them and have found a damp spot right in the middle of the floor. They have obviously scratched the 5 inches of shavings away and the concrete is definitely damp and the spot is quite large. The shavings all around it became wet and damp also. There are no drips from the roof, and the sides of the coop seem dry, so it's coming from the bottom, but I can't tell where it's coming from! We converted on old dog house/run into the the chicken coop/run and the floor has never gotten wet before the chickens were in there. We kept checking it every time it rained before we did the conversion. The ground is also on a slight slant so the water should run downhill, although it might just be raining too much. Looks like we've got a couple of inches already. I thought they might have spilled their water at first, but it's full and sitting on a mat that is not wet.

I pulled all the wet shavings out and covered the spot with cardboard encased in plastic and put 5" of shavings back on top. My DH is out of town and I have no idea what to do to fix the problem! I'm really worried that they will get damp and chilled if it leaks through especially over night and I'm hoping the plastic will work temporarily. I'll keep checking on it. I already dismantled their living quarters in the house, but should I bring them in tonight? ACK!!!

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[BWKatz]

Sounds like u've done the best possible. Just wait til am and go from there. They should be ok overnight .

 

[Toast n Jelly]

How about putting a goodsized patch of playsand under the cardboard and shavings to soak up the water.

 

[Mark & Nique]

Just a thought, but from what you say regarding all the rain and the scratching, the chicks might have reached where the water level is when it rains. If this idea is true, a few days after the rain stops, the water spot should 'disappear.'

Could you move the coop to more elevated spot in your yard? Perhaps you could add a mound of sand to create 'higher ground'?

Good luck!

 

[kimb]

could the damp spot be BECAUSE they scratched the shavings away? ...

concrete (if not treated/sealed) actually "sweats" - with the cold ground, heat/humidity in the coop it could just be sweating where it's not covered. . .

I would put down more shavings so that they can't scratch it down to the concrete ... of course after it's dry

 

[LynneP]

It may be condensation, I'm sure you're figured out the source by now. You can always put some scrap pieces of 4x4's in there so they can step over water or rest above it. I hope it isn't a leak, but I suspect you'll be fine because you've acted on the prob...

 

[FlipFlopFarmer]

you can actually purchase concrete/asphault patch,it comes in a tube like silicone, or a tub like paint, just ask at ur local hardware store, read the instructions, and have a new adventure!.... good luck