Woods question - again :)

[MiaS]

Can anyone tell me, is the sand front portion of a Wood's coop just to allow the birds to dust bathe or is there another practical reason for dividing the floor space in this style of coop?

 

[Ted Brown]

I am more builder than chicken expert so will leave it to others to better answer your question.

However, I can find no mention of the "sand at the front" in Woods' book. He does refer to the use of sand in a coop (around page 102) but it is the context of a different style house and merely mentions it without recommendation one way or the other. If your question arises due to space consideration given your smaller 6' by 10' footprint I guess that you could dispense with the sand without major impact. Also something that could be tried and removed or added depending on experience.

You have clearly been doing your homework, perhaps just diving into flock operation is the way to go, adjust as your own experience and future research dictates is best?

 

[aart]

@Howard E @JackE

 

[MiaS]

I am more builder than chicken expert so will leave it to others to better answer your question.

However, I can find no mention of the "sand at the front" in Woods' book. He does refer to the use of sand in a coop (around page 102) but it is the context of a different style house and merely mentions it without recommendation one way or the other. If your question arises due to space consideration given your smaller 6' by 10' footprint I guess that you could dispense with the sand without major impact. Also something that could be tried and removed or added depending on experience.

You have clearly been doing your homework, perhaps just diving into flock operation is the way to go, adjust as your own experience and future research dictates is best?

Hmm, yes, the woods drawing shows the removable board as a brooder option, likely to keep the babes away from any draft. I just notice that several people put sand in that front area.

The building project will be back on track just as soon as my garden dries up enough to get my coop floor positioned. We had a huge spring blizzard the other day

I've received the shed windows that I purchased and have my support wall laid out (including the Jack studs) and a few minor adjustments have to be made for the side windows which I somehow laid out with a too small rough opening. Measure twice, cut once. Measure twice, cut once. Measure twice, cut once.

 

[Ted Brown]

Hmm, yes, the woods drawing shows the removable board as a brooder option, likely to keep the babes away from any draft. I just notice that several people put sand in that front area.

The building project will be back on track just as soon as my garden dries up enough to get my coop floor positioned. We had a huge spring blizzard the other day

I've received the shed windows that I purchased and have my support wall laid out (including the Jack studs) and a few minor adjustments have to be made for the side windows which I somehow laid out with a too small rough opening. Measure twice, cut once. Measure twice, cut once. Measure twice, cut once.

Yes, I have seen the references to sand in several posts herein, I plan to do this in my coop to give the birds something else to do while shut up.

We are to get snow and ice pellets here today so I feel your pain.

We ALL learn through our "mistakes"; I prefer to think of them as learning experiences.

Keep on truckin'

 

[JackE]

The reason I have sand up front in my Woods, is because the chicken entry door is up front. And I didn't want them to drag all the shavings out, as they come and go.

 

[Howard E]

The front (scratch shed) portion of mine isn't divided at all. Just deep litter like all the rest. Pop doors and people doors elevated well above and no litter comes and goes.

Putting sand up there would be an option.......but me personally, I prefer on the floor that was once part of a living plant.....meaning organic that will eventually compost. When the weather is cold or wet and garden dirt isn't an option as dust bath for the birds, I put a galvanized wash tub in the middle of the house and keep it full of peat moss. I've seen 4 using it at the same time. But that is a temporary appliance.

And one more thing.......if you have never seen it in this light, think of a Woods house as being not much more than a secure run enclosed on three sides with a roof over it.

If you don't populate your house with a full load of birds (4 sf per bird).....say half that......for the most part, they are in a secure run and can be left there for extended times if needed. This assumes you have food and water in the house, and I do.

 

[MiaS]

The reason I have sand up front in my Woods, is because the chicken entry door is up front. And I didn't want them to drag all the shavings out, as they come and go.

Ahhh, excellent reason!

 

[MiaS]

The front (scratch shed) portion of mine isn't divided at all. Just deep litter like all the rest. Pop doors and people doors elevated well above and no litter comes and goes.

Putting sand up there would be an option.......but me personally, I prefer on the floor that was once part of a living plant.....meaning organic that will eventually compost. When the weather is cold or wet and garden dirt isn't an option as dust bath for the birds, I put a galvanized wash tub in the middle of the house and keep it full of peat moss. I've seen 4 using it at the same time. But that is a temporary appliance.

And one more thing.......if you have never seen it in this light, think of a Woods house as being not much more than a secure run enclosed on three sides with a roof over it.

If you don't populate your house with a full load of birds (4 sf per bird).....say half that......for the most part, they are in a secure run and can be left there for extended times if needed. This assumes you have food and water in the house, and I do.

Yes, perfect. That is how I am viewing this coop - though I'm planning an outdoor run area as well for when the weather is decent. My pop door and people door will be elevated to keep litter in. Peat moss will work for dust baths? Good to know.
Thank you!

 

[Ted Brown]

I believe that peat moss is used for dust baths in combination with other things (sand, wood ash, etc.). From what I have read it disappears quickly, is very dusty and can absorb moisture.

Note that @Howard E does not have a floor in his coop and uses DLM so his environment is very different than yours will be.