Chook Me!

what is the best material for the ground of a chicken coop?

ok so there is wood shavings ,hay ,dirt, chicken wire (i think thats what its called)... ect so any way what will make my chickens most happy and comfortable ...thank you ^_^

Public Comments

1. Most people I know with chickens just have dirt. I suppose other than that, shavings would be good.
2. just regular dirt to scratch in and grass to hunt bugs in
3. I grew around grandparents in Oklahoma and Missouri and just as they did,I have only the dirt that the henhouse was built on. I clean out my henhouse on a fairly regular basis and pass my straw/poop onto a friend for his compost heap and onto my tomato plants and it is at this time I rake the dirt in the henhouse. In the summer time,the henhouse affords the chickens some shade and dirt for scratching on and for dusting themselves.
4. there shoul be wood shavings under where they roost at night for easy cleaing and woodshavings in the nest boxes. the run (if they are not freerange) should be dirt/grass. Wire bottom cages are uncomfortable on birds feet. -hint- if you decide to go with hay, get straw instead, its waaaaaaay cheaper
5. dirt and straw
6. Don't use wire on the floor, as they can injure their feet or break toes when they try to scratch. Packed dirt is just fine. In the winter for extra warmth, you can also add pine shavings. These are warm and absorbent and also help control some of the odor in warmer months.