Wire Mesh Floor of Coop?

[k9lin]

Morning Everyone -

I'm looking into chicken coops and have seen one that I like, but it has a heavy wire guage flooring - is this ok? They claim that it keeps the coops really clean, since most of the chicken poop just falls to the dirt outside of the coop. But, will the chickens get cold at night? We're in California, but should I think about putting straw on the bottom of the coop? Pine shavings will just fall through. Do they make pine shavings that are bigger? I know people have said hay collects too much moisture. Is straw better?

Thanks for any suggestions.

-Jenni

 

[LynneP]

We live where predators are a huge concern, is that an issue for you? Is there anything that could work its way up through that floor? Another option might be to leave the floor exposed during parts of the day and have a hatch or something that swings up for night protection!

 

[silkieluvr]

Ya, I live in California too, but we have a HUGE raccoon problem where I am so wire floor would make it very easy for a predator to get in...

 

[soimcrazy]

Quote:
what is the guage of this wire?

 

[k9lin]

Thanks all -

the wire guage is 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch.

Silkieluvr... where in Marin do you live? I'm in Novato!!!!! Nice to meet you.