I have a concrete floor but hate it...I'm wondering if anyone has used those rubber mats over concrete?

[hayley3]

At a previous house, I put dirt down but I moved so not sure how that worked out.
My hens are currently living in my garage with straw but I am not sure if there are other ideas I'm not thinking of. TIA!

 

[Ted Brown]

Yes. Search "stall mats".

I believe these are more commonly used for horses.

 

[hayley3]

Yes. Search "stall mats".

I believe these are more commonly uses for horses.

I'm wondering if it's practical to use those. Are they hard to clean and what are the cons to using them vs just leaving the floor as is. I did consider sand...I could install 2x4's to make a box to hold the sand.

 

[Ted Brown]

I have no direct experience, just answering your question.

Concrete floors are not uncommon and can be part of an effective anti-critter/predator strategy.

I would not use concrete without addition bedding materials, hard on feet and legs, not comfortable.

Sand can work in hot climates with largely open coops. In a closed coop it does not dry easily and accumulates waste to a point of stinking mess.

 

[MROO]

At a previous house, I put dirt down but I moved so not sure how that worked out.
My hens are currently living in my garage with straw but I am not sure if there are other ideas I'm not thinking of. TIA!

Stall mats work, but can be difficult to disinfect when fighting mites and odors. You'll have to be diligent about cleaning. If you use them, be sure to have poop boards under your roosts and something solid under any open waterers. You can also try sand over your concrete. If your chickens are still inside your garage, think "indoor sandbox" style. Sand is easy to rake and clean and can be cleared out completely for a disinfection, when needed - and again, poop boards are your friend!

 

[hayley3]

I have no direct experience, just answering your question.

Concrete floors are not uncommon and can be part of an effective anti-critter/predator strategy.

I would not use concrete without addition bedding materials, hard on feet and legs, not comfortable.

Sand can work in hot climates with largely open coops. In a closed coop it does not dry easily and accumulates waste to a point of stinking mess.

And I appreciate you answering me. Yes I would use straw but it has to be changed frequently on a concrete floor. I intended the coop to be a dirt floor but that wasn't possible. And that's good to know about the sand.

 

[Ted Brown]

And I appreciate you answering me. Yes I would use straw but it has to be changed frequently on a concrete floor. I intended the coop to be a dirt floor but that wasn't possible. And that's good to know about the sand.

I change the bedding (pine shavings) in my coop once a year, whether it needs it or not.

I use drop boards under the roosts, remove droppings on a near daily basis and move to a compost heap. No smell, no mess.

Trivial effort for a major improvement in coop environment.

 

[MROO]

You could also build a low deck - deck slats or plywood - and cover it with a piece of scrap vinyl. Flooring companies often sell larger "scraps" and many hardware or discount stores offer inexpensive vinyl in 8 foot or better squares. My coop is a converted wooden playhouse. I picked up the vinyl for the floor at our local Ollies' (discount store) for under $20.00.

 

[hayley3]

Stall mats work, but can be difficult to disinfect when fighting mites and odors. You'll have to be diligent about cleaning. If you use them, be sure to have poop boards under your roosts and something solid under any open waterers. You can also try sand over your concrete. If your chickens are still inside your garage, think "indoor sandbox" style. Sand is easy to rake and clean and can be cleared out completely for a disinfection, when needed - and again, poop boards are your friend!

I know nothing about poop boards. I love a dirt floor because the poop just vanishes.

 

[hayley3]

I change the bedding (pine shavings) in my coop once a year, whether it needs it or not.

I use drop boards under the roosts, remove droppings on a near daily basis and move to a compost heap. No smell, no mess.

Trivial effort for a major improvement in coop environment.

Would you happen to have a picture of your drop boards?