Why did I do that?! Door on the Floor Edition

[Chicalina]

Deep as in 3 or 4 inches, not more. It could work and you won't know unless you try. They will love scratching through it, far more than sand. As for the floor door, seal that up and make a pop hole in the side into your, ahem, extended run!

Dogs can be taken for walks. Chickens only have the space you give them.

Incubator, now that's dangerous talk!!

 

[NatJ]

Dogs can be taken for walks. Chickens only have the space you give them.

they do range in our fenced backyard for a large portion of the day....

Do you get much snow? If so, they will probably not want to come out into the backyard during winter, so they will soon be bored and feel cramped. If you can arrange more area that has a roof to keep off snow, it will really help for the winter.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Deep litter isn't realistic in your set up. It's not just because the coop space is short, but it optimally needs moisture and ground contact to compost. Deep bedding might be possible but could be pushing it, there's just not a lot of space (vertically, plus air space: how many sq ft of ventilation did you put in?) to allow for the poop to build up. Unfortunately with small coops you generally have to clean out more frequently.

Run is definitely small unless the birds are free ranging daily for the majority of the day.

 

[Megsconk]

Deep litter isn't realistic in your set up. It's not just because the coop space is short, but it optimally needs moisture and ground contact to compost. Deep bedding might be possible but could be pushing it, there's just not a lot of space (vertically, plus air space: how many sq ft of ventilation did you put in?) to allow for the poop to build up. Unfortunately with small coops you generally have to clean out more frequently.

Run is definitely small unless the birds are free ranging daily for the majority of the day.

So is the alternative adding heat?

 

[Megsconk]

Deep litter isn't realistic in your set up. It's not just because the coop space is short, but it optimally needs moisture and ground contact to compost. Deep bedding might be possible but could be pushing it, there's just not a lot of space (vertically, plus air space: how many sq ft of ventilation did you put in?) to allow for the poop to build up. Unfortunately with small coops you generally have to clean out more frequently.

Run is definitely small unless the birds are free ranging daily for the majority of the day.

Also, just to clarify, I honestly don’t mind having to clean out more often, I’m mostly concerned about winter heat.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Chickens don't need added heat unless they are very delicate breeds being kept in extreme cold.

Your birds pictured should do very well without added heat. Mine have been through lows of -16 with a week of highs reaching a whopping 0......yes that is a high of zero for a solid week.

Chickens wear a down coat. They molt in fall in order to have a new coat for winter. Your young birds won't molt this fall. Instead they will just grow more fluff under their already new feathers.

 

[rosemarythyme]

So is the alternative adding heat?

Heat shouldn't be necessary. How low are your lows? If the chickens are in good health and provided a coop with ample ventilation and a draft free roost, they should do fine down to -20, -25F or so.

 

[aart]

Floor Doors are never a good idea, IMO.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I see the dilemma better now. How big did you make your run?

I am thinking it would be possible with a little work to make a wired in porch so they have a side door.

I also think it is to short for deep litter.

I agree. I don’t see how you could even get the deep litter in there.

 

[Mmanist]

I'm also in northeast Ohio. I dont do deep litter. Nor do I have an insulated coop. But my chickens keep each other warm. And when its in the negative for days I will keep them inside for a couple days. But my coop is probably 6x 12 rickety old wood shed. My flock all does well through the winter. No frost bite yet! Last year I think I had 20 birds or less? Bantam and standard share the coop.