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sail97

Managing poop in a small chicken coop?

sail
14 years ago

I am a backyard flock newbie planning to build a mobile chicken coop out of old palets, "A" frame style with nesting on the top. Since I am still planning, I figured I would attempt to make it easy to clean. I was thinking about adding a slide out tray or that sort of thing.

Are there tricks to managing the droppings? A naive question, do they poop just anywhere?

Any advice is appreciated.

Sail

Comments (5)

  • marlingardener
    14 years ago

    Sail,
    Oh, yes, chickens poop just anywhere! And frequently! You can put a slanted board under the roost that catches most of the poop. You can make it removable or stationary (in which case you scrape). If the coop is to be mobile, you can move the coop, scoop the poop and put it on the compost pile.
    Don't we have fascinating conversations here on the Farm Life forum?

  • sail
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    I suppose they can't be potty trained??? :)

    I will incorporate a removable plastic tray into the design and see how that works out.

  • marlingardener
    14 years ago

    Honey, if you can potty train chickens, take your show on the road and make a bundle! I personally would hire you to train my flock. I love my girls, but not only do they lack table manners, but their bathroom habits need upgrading, also.
    A removable plastic tray should work fine (also easier to hose off if necessary).
    Your hens will be fine, happy, and you'll enjoy them immensely. My husband says watching the girls is better than reality TV.

  • posy_pet
    14 years ago

    I had seen a pit on a website and have used a plastic bin under my roosts.This worked great.I just added shredded leaves or sawdust on top and it didn't smell bad...a couple of my hens layed next to it and I moved it(it had been a while since I emptied it!)The mice exploded out of it,behind it,they were even nesting in it!I took it out and am catching mice now-up to 20 so far.When I put it back,I will be sure to empty it regularly.Posy_Pet

  • prmsdlndfrm
    14 years ago

    If your making it mobile, just put rabbit wire as the floor and let droppings fall to the ground. Or make the floor slatted , of course droppings will fall tru the wire easier. Youll need to take a wire brush to the wire once in a while but its easier than having to empty some container.
    josh

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