Coop Flooring

[MamaYayaHen]

We just put in a new coop that has exposed 2x4s and a raised plywood floor. I would like to add something to the floor to make it easier to clean and prevent rot. Two questions:

• I see that some people use rubberized fiber coatings used for roofs - is that actually safe for the chickens? Is there any off-gassing when you paint that on the floor?
• Do I need to worry about covering the exposed 2x4s (especially near the bottom of the walls)? Or will those be fine if I have an 8" thick layer of bedding?

Thank you for your advice! I had a much smaller coop before and didn't have to worry about the flooring before!

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I’d put something rubber based to cover the plywood. Rubber stall mats is one option that is slightly pricey but they are very durable. You shouldn’t have any issues with the exposed 2x4s.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Black Jack 57 is fairly low VOC and shouldn't be any worse than paint as far as off-gassing. Make sure to read the technical data sheet for application instructions.

I'd cover the floor as well as the lower 8" of the wall if you plan on having up to 8" of bedding in there, as you want to seal up any small cracks and crevices and protect the beams as well. You'll notice I only covered beams since we have Tyvek on the walls.

 

[MamaYayaHen]

Black Jack 57 is fairly low VOC and shouldn't be any worse than paint as far as off-gassing. Make sure to read the technical data sheet for application instructions.

I'd cover the floor as well as the lower 8" of the wall if you plan on having up to 8" of bedding in there, as you want to seal up any small cracks and crevices and protect the beams as well. You'll notice I only covered beams since we have Tyvek on the walls.

View attachment 4020904
View attachment 4020905

Thanks for the pictures! These help a lot.

 

[MamaYayaHen]

I’d put something rubber based to cover the plywood. Rubber stall mats is one option that is slightly pricey but they are very durable. You shouldn’t have any issues with the exposed 2x4s.

Yeah, I'll see how much it might cost to do rubber mats - they just seem really heavy but would be good!

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Yeah, I'll see how much it might cost to do rubber mats - they just seem really heavy but would be good!

They definitely can be heavy. I was pointing out an option but yea their weight can be an issue. We use them in our nesting boxes under the turf squares and love them a lot. I personally do like anything rubber based as it’s easy to clean. I did forget to add but how my coop floor is done is painted wood, a layer of the cheap linoleum look-a-like mat, and a rubber mat meant for the bed of a trailer. The big key is your final layer should be hard to move. Our rubber mats are thin and lightweight while still durable. Plus they have a high coefficient of friction so it’s hard to slide them.

 

[Ted Brown]

I used two coats Blackjack 57 on the floors (pine boards) and 10" up the walls. Six years on, no issues and have not had to renew.

 

[aart]

The thing with the pads is that water could get underneath them,
that could cause a moldy, anaerobic mess.

a new coop that has exposed 2x4s and a raised plywood floor.

Would you post some pics of this coop?

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @MamaYayaHen
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[aart]

What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture

-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.
-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.
- Large flake pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.
- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.
-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 10+ years.

 

[Loving my girls]

Hi there
I have a concrete base with a thick vinyl flooring.
I stopped with the straw and hemp flooring many years ago and now take pride in mopping my floor down every day or two.
Yes, I’m a bit daft but it gets me out of the house