We got a raised shelter that looks similar to a coop but was supposedly used by someone for smaller breed dogs, and the area for just hanging out has old wire over 2 x 4 supports, so it needs to be replaced. It has two wood cubbies that make nice nest areas and a solid wood floor in front of that area, which is sort of like a hallway leading to the larger space area that needs work. My husband tried putting loose roof shingles in there, but they sagged; it worked okay while we used it for a few months, but I want to re-do the floor properly and make a decent coop of it. So, is there anything we can use that allows waste to drop through, or is only solid flooring safe for their feet? Keeping things clean is such a challenge, so I would love it if there is something that can easily be flushed clean.
I think some poultry keepers have a wire floor that the poop falls through. Others have a solid floor with linoleum over that - easy to clean. Most floor covering places have remnants that go for cheap.
I've never read of a drop-through floor that worked out well for chickens. One thing you can do is remove what is there and just have a dirt floor coop. Nothing wrong with one, if it is well drained (not in a low spot) and won't stay wet after every rain. If you choose to build a floor, the most convenent thing is to cover it with something easy to clean. A scrap of linoleum works well. Painting it works wee, if you have a couple of coats of gloss or semi gloss. It's realy a matter of what is convenient and available. Many people build one of OSB, but I'd be sure it was sealed at the corners and edges after covering with linoleum, or the OSB will absorb moisture and rot out quickly. Plywood lasts better but is more expensive. I prefer dirt with a good layer of poine shavings, myself. It gets raked out once a year and the contents composted. Some fresh pine shavings now and then, or pelletized lime or other products if it gets moist, work well against flies. moisture and smell. The chickens keep it turned. Some say this is not a good method as you can't really clean it, but I've done it or seen it done all my life and never had problems unless rain could get in.
