Chook Me!

I am building a chicken coop and I am planning on building floors out of plywood in there to prevent unwanted?

I want to prevent unwanted animals from digging under and killing my chickens. Is that ok and should i place straw or saw dust. any suggestions?

Public Comments

1. Plywood floors are great! But some animals and rodents may be able to chew through. I suggest putting some chicken wire under the flooring, so you, your chickens, and your floors will be safe. I would cover the floor with saw dust, and place some hay on top. I guarantee your chickens will be happy and safe! Please help with my lastest question? :)
2. It depends on whether you have an area for your chickens to get out and scratch the ground. Chickens need to be able to dig in the dirt. They enjoy dusting themselves with dry soil in the summer because it helps to remove mites and it keeps them cool. They also love to pick at the bugs in the soil not to mention they eat small pebbles that they store in their gizzard to aid in digestion. If you have an area for them to run, then the hen house with a plywood floor is great. A running area also gives you much healthier chickens and eggs which are lower cholesterol (yes, it has been proven that running chickens lay healthier eggs) The most important thing to do is have roosts for them to keep them off the floor. That is where they end up being harmed, if they cannot get up off the ground at night. They have several enemies including skunk, raccoons and rats. Larger predators like coyotes will not chew into plywood, but the others can and will. Straw is wonderful for the chickens to walk in. Sawdust is great too. We typically used straw for their nests and sawdust for the floor. There really is no right or wrong bedding/nesting material to use as long as it stays dry. Hope that helps :)