What should I use on the floor of my chicken coop?

[ImaChickenGirl]

I am building a new chicken coop and it is going to have a concrete floor but I have a lot of other stuff I have to get done this year and don't think I will have time to build a concrete floor. So I was just going to let the Chickens live on the dirt floor but the dirt will get really messy and muddy, so I was wondering if there is something that I could use for the floor?
I don't want to use wood because it rots.

What does everyone use? Does it work good?

Thanks!

 

[my sunwolf]

I am building a new chicken coop and it is going to have a concrete floor but I have a lot of other stuff I have to get done this year and don't think I will have time to build a concrete floor. So I was just going to let the Chickens live on the dirt floor but the dirt will get really messy and muddy, so I was wondering if there is something that I could use for the floor?
I don't want to use wood because it rots.

What does everyone use? Does it work good?

Thanks!

You can use any kind of bedding, though I have heard not to use straw on dirt floors because it molds pretty easily. I use pine shavings or wood shavings, they tend to keep things smelling nice. You can also use wood chips, hay, dry oak leaves, sand. There are plenty of materials to choose from. Just make sure the litter stays fairly dry; a lot of people on here use DE, sweet PDZ, or stall dry. If you do use wood bedding of some sort, make sure not to use cedar as chickens are allergic to it.

 

[JackE]

I have a raised wood floor in my coop, over 3yrs old now and NO rot problems. I used a rubberized roof coat product I got from Lowes to seal and protect the floor. So a wooden floor can be done.
I seen coops with just plain old dirt floors inside, and they weren't muddy, Though I've seen some outside areas around the coop turn into mud pits, but not inside.
Jack

 

[Jakoda]

I have a wooden floor and got the foam mats that interlock, not only comfy but mold resistant, Got them at BJ's wholesale, 8 mats 2x2' each for 15.00
Diane

 

[4 the Birds]

Wood! Basic pressure treated wood planking will last a lifetime. We built the house deck with composite decking (mostly plastic) and that stuff will last several lifetimes! Wood will be cheaper than conc and you will appreciate a floor that water drains through!

 

[Eggcessive]

Dirt floors work great with deep litter--read a bit of the deep litter method thread to see it you like it. Then I would consider the wood floor covered by a piece of linoleum from the home stores. You can cut it with scissors or a knife, glue it down, then throw pin shavings on top--easy clean up.