Winter coop in my open garage?

[eselick]

Hi
We've had a couple of chickens for many years but only during the summer. We've never figured out how to keep them in the winter since their current location is far from the house and it's too hard to get to when the snow comes as it usually does in Quebec. But my wife has sold her car and there's an empty space in the garage that's easy to get to and I'm thinking about keeping the chickens in there this winter.

The garage is a separate unheated structure with no doors. We just drive in and out all through the year. The current chicken coop has 2 parts, a small house and a run. We could move it all into the garage since everything kind of comes apart. My question is what to do about the cement floor. I'm considering getting some cheap plywood to put underneath everything or just putting down straw. But I'd love any suggestions to help make the chickens feel at home with their unatural floor.

Elliot

 

[Fred's Hens]

It would work just fine. The concrete floor wouldn't work well, in my estimation, but using cheap furring strips, and tacking down inexpensive OSB floor would be very practical and work well. We've a couple of pens in our barn with OSB floors and they are their 5th year with no signs of trouble at all. A deep bed of straw or chips and you'd be good to go. The dust they create will coat everything in the garage, as you likely know.

 

[eselick]

Hi Fred
So If I understand, you're laying out a simple framework with 1x3's or something eqiuvalent and then nailing the OSB panels onto the furring.
BTW I don't have any clue about the dust you're describing. I haven't noticed any dust where they are now.
Elliot

 

[Fred's Hens]

Hi Fred
So If I understand, you're laying out a simple framework with 1x3's or something eqiuvalent and then nailing the OSB panels onto the furring.
BTW I don't have any clue about the dust you're describing. I haven't noticed any dust where they are now.
Elliot

Yeah, you got it. 1x3's laid flat. That kind of thing.

Dust. Ha ha ha. You may remember the dust of the brooder? Well, it isn't any better when they are adults. Yes, there is dust. LOL. But, nothing that cannot be blown off in spring. Best regards,