What flooring/bedding to use for outdoor covered run?

[snow5164]

I use pine shavings and straw, but just pine shavings would work too. When the chickens poop on them they will clump together and their easier to clean up. Sand would be harder to scoop up when you're cleaning out your coop and your chickens wouldn't be able to sift through it for finding dropped food. Mulch will not collect chicken droppings as well, since it doesn't clump and I can't imagine it being all that comfy to walk on.

Just my opinion. I'd be open if anybody wanted to give a better alternative.

Sand is not hard to scoop ?? Shavings and straw are impossible to scoop ....
Think kitty litter you just scoop up the poop and throw it out ,

I’m thinking you haven’t used sand ? It’s the best for coops, nesting boxes ,poop boards and the wet stuff goes into the run ... I love sand

 

[Hoytman]

Instead of concrete floor can you just do walls and put a 24 inch apron of hardware cloth around base 19g 1/2 inch recommended type for predator protection. Just a thought might save you on cost. I have heard of some using a concrete pad before but don’t know how this works out for cleaning purposes.

The floor then could be mulch sand etc whatever you want.

The block will serve to keep treated wood off the floor in case of water infiltration by blowing rain and snow. Plus, it add a bit more protection, thought not really needed.

One positive about concrete and cleaning. IF I need to totally clean it out they'll be zero chance of the shovel catching on something rattling my teeth. LOL!

I asked about opinions on what to put over the concrete because I personally don't think the block are high enough to consider the DLM with pine shavings. Any organic material will need cleaned out more often, and I'm worried about it freezing together from moisture. Mulch may work better, but I also thought about the sand. Some say it stays dry and is real easy to clean out. I'm all about easy.

This is our first time with chickens.

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens03]

Sand is not hard to scoop ?? Shavings and straw are impossible to scoop ....
Think kitty litter you just scoop up the poop and throw it out ,

I’m thinking you haven’t used sand ? It’s the best for coops, nesting boxes ,poop boards and the wet stuff goes into the run ... I love sand

I've never used sand before, no. At least not in my coup. My coup is also used as a tool shed, so if we used sand the chickens would constantly be kicking it into the wrong side and I would have to clean it up. I just like the pine because they will stick to the poo and my chickens won't be trying to take dust baths in it. I don't doubt that sand works well for some people, but I suppose it depends on you chickens and your coup.

 

[Hoytman]

Sand is not hard to scoop ?? Shavings and straw are impossible to scoop ....
Think kitty litter you just scoop up the poop and throw it out ,

I’m thinking you haven’t used sand ? It’s the best for coops, nesting boxes ,poop boards and the wet stuff goes into the run ... I love sand

Does it matter what kind of sand?

I can buy mortar sand (one size particles) at the box store.

I can also buy bulk (different sized particles) from my local gravel pit 1 mile away for cheap.

The house will get pine shavings and the poop board boxes will get sand.

 

[snow5164]

Just be careful @AGirlAndHerChickens03 you don’t give advice on something you have no experience with . I’m sure you’re trying to help .
I’ve used straw , shavings , deep litter and now sand . I love that they dust bath in it it’s multi purpose

It doesn’t get everywhere , try some it’s great in nesting boxes they can’t kick it out like they do straw/shavings

Have a good day

 

[snow5164]

@Hoytman mortar sand might be ok

 

[Hoytman]

I do know that all birds, wild and domesticated, like to have a place for a dust bath. Sort of hard to get that with poop covered shavings...especially if a new layer isn't added often enough.

 

[Hoytman]

@Hoytman mortar sand might be too fine , you want beach sand or bigger pieces ...

EDIT:
Thanks for the attachment. I know exactly what you're referring too. Have a gravel pit near by where I can get mortar/masonry sand and what we call "fill sand", or "pit run" sand which had multiple size particles that the chickens would like for grit. I have a way to haul it...and a little boy to unload it. LOL!!

Anyone else using some type of mulch?

 

[snow5164]

A dust bath is necessary if you want healthy birds , it’s a natural way for them to clean themselves .

I’ll never forget slipping and sliding on poop in straw , it lasted a week and I pulled it all out !!

 

[Hoytman]

If you look in my photo at the horizontal 2x10...just underneath that board where that little section of concrete curb is...between the metal pole and the block wall...I am going to put a tunnel there for the birds to move from the outside coop into their covered run underneath the shed. The coop will be placed on the south wall of the shed near the stove pipe.

Currently, I have 16 hens and 1 rooster.

What it the minimum size coop some of you would feel I could get by with for the winter?

(NOTE: This coop is temporary and they will have access to the covered run as well as an outside run from time to time. That's the reason I want to build as small as possible right now. Next spring I will account for chicken math. LOL!