Flooring for your chicken coop

 

Flooring for your chicken coop is equally important.  There are many different types of materials however choose one that they like to walk on and and scratch at and will not cause them any injury.

 

Course Sand

Coarse sand is great.  It is an easy choice, inexpensive and cleaning involves using a cat litter scoop and the occasional rake over.

 

Wood Chips

Wood chips are the white wood of the tree, not the bark.  Bark chips tend to go mouldy over time and can be difficult to walk on.  Wood chips are natural, clean, light, almost dust-free and chickens love to scratch around in them.  Hardwood chips last longer  and are generally preferred by chicken keepers.  They do break down over a long period of time and this provide nutrients to the soil.

 

Deep Litter

Deep Litter is the name for layering pine shavings, wood chips and sun colored straw about 4 inches thick on the floor.  Almost like a compost.  This provides a great layer of insulation.   It also is soft and easy to walk on and the hens love scratching around on it.

 

Pea Gravel

Pea gravel is a small, smooth stone that resembles peas.  It is a long lasting option but some chicken  do not like to walk on pea gravel.

 

Straw

Many new chicken keepers use sun colored straw.  It smell sweet and earthy.  It does break down and get soggy very fast and this makes cleaning very difficult.