Coop & Run Flooring

[LAS1315]

Hello! All tips and tricks appreciated. I have 9 twelve week old chickens (one has a scissor beak) that we converted a metal shed to a coop for. They have free access to their covered run. I can't free range all the time because of my dogs, but I do like to let them out when the dogs are put up. They are just starting to sleep on their roosts - some still sleeping on the nesting boxes. My nesting boxes are turned around right now because I don't want them in them. But they will be angled to have eggs roll back.

In my coop, I have small rocks as a base for drainage covered by sand. They seem to hang out a lot in there (SO. MANY. FEATHERS.). Thinking I need to add more sand to make it easier to sift poop out and clean. Thoughts?

Their run had grass when they first when out in it, now its basically bare dirt. I did small rocks around the edge which promptly got scattered by scratching chickens. I was thinking of getting a load of sand brought in to fill it up with sand, but have been reading about mulch/wood chips. I don't compost (don't judge). I just want low maintenance and easy and good for my chickies.

 

[aart]

but have been reading about mulch/wood chips.

That's the way to go, IMO.
If you have a place for a tree trimmer to dump their chipper truck, you'll have plenty of wood chippings to last a good year or more.
You only need an inch or three to 'eat' up all the poops.
That's what I use and I haven't 'cleaned' my run in 10+ years.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @LAS1315
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!

 

[LAS1315]

That's the way to go, IMO.
If you have a place for a tree trimmer to dump their chipper truck, you'll have plenty of wood chippings to last a good year or more.
You only need an inch or three to 'eat' up all the poops.
That's what I use and I haven't 'cleaned' my run in 10+ years.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @LAS1315
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!
View attachment 3945346

I'm in South Texas. Always hot .

Do wood chips dry out ok if they get wet the like 2 weeks a year we get rain? What's the upkeep like just fluff with a rake?

 

[aart]

I'm in South Texas. Always hot .

You're going to need way more ventilation in that coop in your climate.

Do wood chips dry out ok if they get wet the like 2 weeks a year we get rain? What's the upkeep like just fluff with a rake?

I'm sure they will.
Actually a bit of rain will help the poops breakdown.
I've never 'fluffed' any of it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since you're not interested in composting, sand works fine in an arid climate which might suit you better, though as you've noticed it does need to be scooped regularly. Is sand easier to source where you're at? For me deep litter is free but you might not live in an area where organic materials are in such overabundance.

 

[aart]

sand works fine in an arid climate which might suit you better, though as you've noticed it does need to be scooped regularly.

Yes, this crossed my mind after my last post.
I'm not sure how wood chippings would work in a dry climate.

 

[LAS1315]

Since you're not interested in composting, sand works fine in an arid climate which might suit you better, though as you've noticed it does need to be scooped regularly. Is sand easier to source where you're at? For me deep litter is free but you might not live in an area where organic materials are in such overabundance.

I could get either pretty easy. I like the idea that poop breaks down better in the wood chips though.

 

[aart]

I like the idea that poop breaks down better in the wood chips though.

I'm not sure how wood chippings would work in a dry climate.

.....but give it a try.