Deep litter in run - on top of concrete - SEMO

[Hedgeland Farms]

If the wood flooring is even damp, you want to find out where that moisture is coming from and fix it before your flooring starts to rot further.

Thanks for your advice

 

[gtaus]

I did seal the wood prior to starting deep litter....
I will have to examine it further this wkend...but from what I saw yesterday when I kinda mixed it up and added more...wood was still solid...

Again, are you adding moisture to your coop bedding to make it a deep litter active composting system? A wood floor, even sealed, will rot and need to be replaced. If you want to use active composting deep litter in your coop, then you might be better off with covering the floor with some inexpensive sheet linoleum or "painting" the floor with something like Black Jack Rubr-Coat 57 Gloss Black Rubber Roof Coating 1 gal.

A gallon of Black Jack 57 goes for about $79 per can at present. I bought some inexpensive sheet vinyl on sale at Menards to cover my 6X12 foot coop and it cost me less than $25 (3 years ago).

I had also considered just lining the bottom floor of the coop with sacrificial OSB sheets and replacing them every few years, as needed. At the time I built my coop, an OSB sheet cost less than $7, but current prices last time I checked are closer to $50 per sheet post COVID. So, I'm glad I did not go with that option.

If you are using dry deep bedding in the coop, then a sealed floor would probably last a long time.
But, you insist that you have active composting going on in the coop....

Lots of us wondering how you are getting enough moisture into your setup to create an active composting deep litter system inside your coop.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Again, are you adding moisture to your coop bedding to make it a deep litter active composting system? A wood floor, even sealed, will rot and need to be replaced. If you want to use active composting deep litter in your coop, then you might be better off with covering the floor with some inexpensive sheet linoleum or "painting" the floor with something like Black Jack Rubr-Coat 57 Gloss Black Rubber Roof Coating 1 gal.

View attachment 3194313

A gallon of Black Jack 57 goes for about $79 per can at present. I bought some inexpensive sheet vinyl on sale at Menards to cover my 6X12 foot coop and it cost me less than $25 (3 years ago).

I had also considered just lining the bottom floor of the coop with sacrificial OSB sheets and replacing them every few years, as needed. At the time I built my coop, an OSB sheet cost less than $7, but current prices last time I checked are closer to $50 per sheet post COVID. So, I'm glad I did not go with that option.

If you are using dry deep bedding in the coop, then a sealed floor would probably last a long time.
But, you insist that you have active composting going on in the coop....

Lots of us wondering how you are getting enough moisture into your setup to create an active composting deep litter system inside your coop.

Here's a pic of my coop, the sides aren't totally sealed per the way we put it together, nothing is air tight rain gets in..I assume that's the moisture...no I am not intentionally adding water to my coop with like a hose or anything...
When I get home off of work (third shifter staying over for OT) I'll take a pic of what's in the bottom of my coop...

I am assuming that's what's going on as far as active goes...but this is my first time...


It doesn't stink, there's no mold, there's no rotting on the floor...I just assumed I was doing it right

Guess not ...

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

We closed off the inside with wood along the walls and floor to keep it a safe solid place for the ladies, but alas there are cracks bc I am not perfect lol (thought I tried really hard!!) and an opening in the back and front under the roof..which you can see in the pic

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Again, are you adding moisture to your coop bedding to make it a deep litter active composting system? A wood floor, even sealed, will rot and need to be replaced. If you want to use active composting deep litter in your coop, then you might be better off with covering the floor with some inexpensive sheet linoleum or "painting" the floor with something like Black Jack Rubr-Coat 57 Gloss Black Rubber Roof Coating 1 gal.

View attachment 3194313

A gallon of Black Jack 57 goes for about $79 per can at present. I bought some inexpensive sheet vinyl on sale at Menards to cover my 6X12 foot coop and it cost me less than $25 (3 years ago).

I had also considered just lining the bottom floor of the coop with sacrificial OSB sheets and replacing them every few years, as needed. At the time I built my coop, an OSB sheet cost less than $7, but current prices last time I checked are closer to $50 per sheet post COVID. So, I'm glad I did not go with that option.

If you are using dry deep bedding in the coop, then a sealed floor would probably last a long time.
But, you insist that you have active composting going on in the coop....

Lots of us wondering how you are getting enough moisture into your setup to create an active composting deep litter system inside your coop.

I love the idea of covering the floor with something like youve mentioned above..
We are revamping parts of the coop this wkend (adding another door on the left side, adding in better roosts bc the ones I have in there aren't working so well) ...so that may be an option

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Again, are you adding moisture to your coop bedding to make it a deep litter active composting system? A wood floor, even sealed, will rot and need to be replaced. If you want to use active composting deep litter in your coop, then you might be better off with covering the floor with some inexpensive sheet linoleum or "painting" the floor with something like Black Jack Rubr-Coat 57 Gloss Black Rubber Roof Coating 1 gal.

View attachment 3194313

A gallon of Black Jack 57 goes for about $79 per can at present. I bought some inexpensive sheet vinyl on sale at Menards to cover my 6X12 foot coop and it cost me less than $25 (3 years ago).

I had also considered just lining the bottom floor of the coop with sacrificial OSB sheets and replacing them every few years, as needed. At the time I built my coop, an OSB sheet cost less than $7, but current prices last time I checked are closer to $50 per sheet post COVID. So, I'm glad I did not go with that option.

If you are using dry deep bedding in the coop, then a sealed floor would probably last a long time.
But, you insist that you have active composting going on in the coop....

Lots of us wondering how you are getting enough moisture into your setup to create an active composting deep litter system inside your coop.

This has only been going for 10-11wks idk if you can see the different Shade in the first pic

 

[aart]

the sides aren't totally sealed per the way we put it together, nothing is air tight rain gets in..I assume that's the moisture

Gaps in the walls are fine, can help with ventilation, as long as they are protected from rain infiltration. Big roof overhangs would help with that, and protect the more windows and vents your coop probably needs to have added.

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!

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Gaps in the walls are fine, can help with ventilation, as long as they are protected from rain infiltration. Big roof overhangs would help with that, and protect the more windows and vents your coop probably needs to have added.

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 3194424

I am in Southern IL. Its summer...Currently 85°
Birds go in the coop around 830-9pm on their own and sometimes we leave the coop doors open and they are out by 6am if not we let them out by 6am...


They've been doing great! Are you telling me I need to add windows to my coop?? Thanks for the advice I'll take it into consideration.

 

[aart]

Are you telling me I need to add windows to my coop??

I like top hinged glazed windows, they can be propped open all summer for protected ventilation and closed in winter for light.

Put a thermometer/hygrometer in the coop to see what the temps and humidity are in there....then compare to outside the coop.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

I like top hinged glazed windows, they can be propped open all summer for protected ventilation and closed in winter for light.

Put a thermometer/hygrometer in the coop to see what the temps and humidity are in there....then compare to outside the coop

Thanks so mucj