The difficulty in maintaining the health of backyard chickens living in a chicken coop is the buildup of parasite and microbial populations after years of continuous use.
The simplicity of cleaning is the most crucial component of any chicken house. If cleaning up is difficult, you won’t do it as frequently as you should, which will harm your chickens.
The flooring of a coop affects how easily it can be cleaned.
In backyard coops, a variety of flooring materials are frequently used:
Dirt Floor
Simple and free, a dirt floor keeps birds cool on warmer days.
Dirt flooring has the drawbacks of being colder in the winter, doesn’t help protect against predators that dig underground, and is difficult to sterilize.
Wood Floor
A wood floor invariably has cracks that get packed with filth. Plus, wood floors are too close to the ground, which provides a hiding place for rodents.
Sheet Linoleum
Because it is simpler to keep clean than plain wood, sheet linoleum covering a wood floor is a common choice in small and suburban coops.
The main drawback is that it might not endure frequent cleanings. Additionally, restless chickens can decide to tear it to pieces.
Concrete
A concrete floor, when well finished, is the most expensive flooring. But, it requires minimal repair and upkeep, is easy to clean, and discourages rodents and other burrowing predators.
Droppings Pit
Directly beneath the roost(s), which is where the majority of the poop gathers, you can set up a dropping pit.
A dropping pit is made of wooden slats (a thin, narrow flat strip of wood) or welded wire, which cover a box-like pit.
If the pit is routinely cleaned up, the chickens won’t be able to touch the poop.
Dropping Board
A dropping board is a smooth shelflike surface suspended beneath nighttime roosts. The collection of overnight poop is then scraped off each morning.
The disadvantage is that cleaning the board is a daily chore.
The advantage is that you will become well acquainted with your chickens’ droppings and can readily detect any changes in appearance or odor.