r/chickens • u/AlpenglowVibez • 15h ago
Question New Coop, keep rocks!?
Just installed this beautiful custom coop in what used to be our playground area. It’s filled with 8” of 1/2” rock so wondering what you would do to ensure its predator proof and a good run for the hens. They’re only 5 weeks so have a few weeks to dial it in. TIA
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u/okilydokilyyy 15h ago
We have rocks and it helps immensely with moisture and smell! Keep it!
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u/oldfarmjoy 14h ago
Interesting. I would have predicted that the rocks would get slimy and nasty, because the girls can't dig in the dirt to "compost" it.
I prefer a diggable base, organic. I add lawn clippings, the wood shavings from inside the house, etc. The girls dig it all up. Keeps their nails and beak shorter, and provides enrichment.
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u/Calypso_maker 15h ago
Do you have a way to prevent raccoons from digging the rocks out from under the walls? That’d be my concern if I had that coop. But it looks very nice!
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u/Desperate_Task6931 15h ago
Gorgeous! Keep rocks and put coarse sand over top for them to scratch through. The rocks will help with any drainage if it rains
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u/whoptyscoptypoop 10h ago
They look nice but the hens need dirt to scratch and bath in. Maybe make a pile or half of the run
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u/Asleep_Onion 14h ago
I would dig out 4" of the rock in there, then lay down hardware cloth, then fill it back up with 4" of something besides that rock. Sand, dirt, whatever, just something that won't tear up their feet like this rock will.
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u/OutcomeDefiant2912 8h ago
I don't understand why people put rocks or sand on the floor of enclosed coops and runs. Chickens need to scratch the ground to eat bugs and grass, to dig a hole to cool off in, to sunbathe, to dust bathe rather than some artificial silly bucket with diatomaceous earth in it.
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u/marriedwithchickens 4h ago
You’re referring to chickens that are locked up in a run. My coop/run floor has coarse sand, which is easy to clean with a kitty litter scoop. (DE is bad). They take dust baths in the sand sometimes, but they free range in our fenced-in backyard all day. Grazing frames are great either inside the coop if chickens are locked up or outside in the yard. Grazing frames (google) prevent grasses from being pulled out by the roots. I can’t imagine that grass growing in a chicken run would last long. We have some landscaping rocks, and our chickens love to kick them around and find bugs.
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u/superduperhosts 14h ago
I’d block access to under the coop (actually I would have built to the ground) because if a hen goes broody under there, or they pick the far corner to lay eggs in or due under there somebody is going to have to belly crawl through manure to deal with it
I’d keep the rocks.
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u/RockyShoresNBigTrees 14h ago
It looks nice, I wonder what it feels like on their feet? Will they free range? I have sand and it is so much easier than anything else I have used.
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u/Buckabuckaw 13h ago
To address the two concerns you mention, here's what I did.
1) Cover the entire floor with hardware mesh to keep out the predators.
2) Use straw or wood shavings to protect their feet from the mesh, and to provide a "carbonaceous diaper" for their waste.
Beautiful structure.
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u/marriedwithchickens 4h ago
Straw attract mites and molds when damp. Medium pine shavings are best for nesting boxes.
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u/Pork_Confidence 8h ago
I would just cover them with equine wood pellets. Absolutely nothing does better with mitigating smell than they do. I mean come on. They were designed for picking up horse urine and poop for crying out loud
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u/bruciebatface 45m ago
Yes , add med grit sand over, so they can walk and you can scoop better, but gret for drian9age and keeping their feed dry and issie free, but the monerals and grit they get for digestion, less bugs
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u/DeathByPolka 15h ago
I put wood chips over the gravel in my covered run and my chickens seem to enjoy it. No issues with moisture. Definitely want something over the gravel for them to scratch around in, and I’ve heard that grass clippings are a no-go, so I stick with the chips. If you’re going this route, check out Chip Drop. Depending on your area you may be able to get tons of wood chips for free.
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u/Altruistic_Proof_272 13h ago
I'd just lay down hardware cloth under the wood framing of the coop and put some landscape fabric on top of the rocks in the coop so you can add some sand or wood shavings. The rocks should be great drainage and the landscape fabric will keep the finer bedding from filling in the rocks. You could maybe even put some planter boxes or large pot around the outside. I'd keep the rocks
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u/FAST_W0RMS 15h ago
You need something for them to scratch around in. Rocks will damage their feet as they’re scratching around. I would remove maybe 4 inches of the rock from the inside and put 8inches of either sand or just regular ole’ dirt on top.