Designing Chicken Coop - Concrete Floors and Removable Liners Underneath Roosting Bars

[LanaBYC]

I apologize in advance...I think that I previously posted my questions in the wrong section of this forum....I'm new to this forum.

Good Morning!!! We're raising eight new laying chicks. My husband is converting an old garden shed into a chicken coop and we have a TON of questions. Here we go....

a) Should the concrete floors be "broom finished" or "smooth finished?"

b) Should we put something on the concrete floors for the chickens, such as shavings, pellets, etc.?

c) Suggestions for removable pans that we can place under the roosting bars for ease of cleanup?

Thanks in advance!!!!

Lana

 

[Katonk]

I'm so glad someone is looking for answers on stuff like this!
So I posted a thread about a hybrid coop that's both deep litter and movable tractor, so when I saw your post about a liner it clicked with me. If you're going to use deep litter your liner needs to obviously be deep, and if it's not im thinking (and understand I'm not deeply experienced here I'm just musing with you in hopes those with lots of experience need a push to jump in) it's going to need to be strong enough to hold up to shoveling.
So!
I figured out I could use cracked hydroponics grow tables measuring at 4'x8'. Other stuff I found before settling on that (for now) is masonry mix tubs for concrete, ibc food grade liners cut to size, livestock waterers, cut plastic 55 gal barrels attached to one another (lined up with roosts over all seams, results in a kind of grid).
Preformed pond liners look really good too.
Anyhoo that's my two cents hope it helps and please someone chime in with experiences this is the blind leading the blind fo sho.

 

[LanaBYC]

I'm so glad someone is looking for answers on stuff like this!
So I posted a thread about a hybrid coop that's both deep litter and movable tractor, so when I saw your post about a liner it clicked with me. If you're going to use deep litter your liner needs to obviously be deep, and if it's not im thinking (and understand I'm not deeply experienced here I'm just musing with you in hopes those with lots of experience need a push to jump in) it's going to need to be strong enough to hold up to shoveling.
So!
I figured out I could use cracked hydroponics grow tables measuring at 4'x8'. Other stuff I found before settling on that (for now) is masonry mix tubs for concrete, ibc food grade liners cut to size, livestock waterers, cut plastic 55 gal barrels attached to one another (lined up with roosts over all seams, results in a kind of grid).
Preformed pond liners look really good too.
Anyhoo that's my two cents hope it helps and please someone chime in with experiences this is the blind leading the blind fo sho.

Thank you for the information!!!!!
Lana

 

[rosemarythyme]

b) Should we put something on the concrete floors for the chickens, such as shavings, pellets, etc.?

Yes, absolutely, and build up the bedding so it's a few inches thick, because when the chickens fly down from the roost you want to give them a landing surface with some cushion. Also it'll help absorb poop and messes.

 

[LanaBYC]

Yes, absolutely, and build up the bedding so it's a few inches thick, because when the chickens fly down from the roost you want to give them a landing surface with some cushion. Also it'll help absorb poop and messes.

Thank you!!!! Lana

 

[Howard E]

I apologize in advance...I think that I previously posted my questions in the wrong section of this forum....I'm new to this forum.

Good Morning!!! We're raising eight new laying chicks. My husband is converting an old garden shed into a chicken coop and we have a TON of questions. Here we go....

a) Should the concrete floors be "broom finished" or "smooth finished?"

b) Should we put something on the concrete floors for the chickens, such as shavings, pellets, etc.?

c) Suggestions for removable pans that we can place under the roosting bars for ease of cleanup?

Thanks in advance!!!!

Lana

How big is this garden shed? You may or may not wish to include the droppings board....aka, poop board.....what you are describing as removable pans. Droppings boards are one way to manage it, but that becomes extra work. If the shed is large enough, I would not bother....unless you really enjoy that type of work.

If the shed is large enough, you can also get by with deep litter.....by deep, I'd start with at least 4 inches and 6 would be better. Wood shavings work well on cement....as do pine needles, tree leaves, anything small and was once part of a living plant is what you want. Litter works like a disposable diaper and serves the same purpose. Deep litter is akin to an overnight diaper. You get extended use.

If you elect to go without droppings boards, and the area below the roosts starts to build up, all that is needed is to toss a few cups of raw oats on top of the litter and the birds will dig it all up for you, incorporating the droppings into the litter, where it will dry out. Over time.....say every 4 to 6 months, you can either add more fresh litter on top or do a complete clean out. The manure laden litter goes onto the garden, either direct or via a brief rest in the compost bin.

As for the finish, I'd do smooth. You do not need to rougher broom finish for traction like you would on a sidewalk or patio.....and smooth will sweep up and clean up easier.

 

[Katonk]

How big is this garden shed? You may or may not wish to include the droppings board....aka, poop board.....what you are describing as removable pans. Droppings boards are one way to manage it, but that becomes extra work. If the shed is large enough, I would not bother....unless you really enjoy that type of work.

If the shed is large enough, you can also get by with deep litter.....by deep, I'd start with at least 4 inches and 6 would be better. Wood shavings work well on cement....as do pine needles, tree leaves, anything small and was once part of a living plant is what you want. Litter works like a disposable diaper and serves the same purpose. Deep litter is akin to an overnight diaper. You get extended use.

If you elect to go without droppings boards, and the area below the roosts starts to build up, all that is needed is to toss a few cups of raw oats on top of the litter and the birds will dig it all up for you, incorporating the droppings into the litter, where it will dry out. Over time.....say every 4 to 6 months, you can either add more fresh litter on top or do a complete clean out. The manure laden litter goes onto the garden, either direct or via a brief rest in the compost bin.

As for the finish, I'd do smooth. You do not need to rougher broom finish for traction like you would on a sidewalk or patio.....and smooth will sweep up and clean up easier.

WHOOP WHOOP I love it when someone answers with the awesomeness! Yaaaay for Lana's new coop!!!

 

[aart]

a) Should the concrete floors be "broom finished" or "smooth finished?"

b) Should we put something on the concrete floors for the chickens, such as shavings, pellets, etc.?

c) Suggestions for removable pans that we can place under the roosting bars for ease of cleanup?

a. Smooth.

b. Yes, @rosemarythyme told why.
What you use for bedding will depend on how you want to manage manure.
Lots of different options to think about there.

c. Poop boards....I'm a big fan, works well for my management technique.
Lots of options there too, will post my cleaning notes below.
But here are a plethora of ideas to peruse:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/show-me-your-poop-boards.1287739/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...t-warning-graphic-gross-poop-pictures.621363/

..and even more!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/56100122/?q=poop+boards&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1

-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.

-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.

-Runs have semi-deep litter, never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.

-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 5 years.

 

[aart]

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

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