Raising chickens can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. However, properly caring for your flock requires maintenance and upkeep of their coop and run area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When your coop is built on a concrete floor, extra steps must be taken to keep your chickens healthy, clean, and comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With some planning and diligent care, you can successfully raise happy, healthy chickens in a coop on a concrete floor<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contents<\/p> The most important thing you can do for a coop on concrete is provide deep, dry bedding for your chickens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bedding helps insulate chickens\u2019 feet from the cold floor, absorbs moisture from their droppings, and gives them material to scratch and dust bathe in. Aim for 4-6 inches of bedding material throughout the coop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more on this, check out our guide on insulating a concrete chicken coop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good bedding options include:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid using bedding like sawdust, which can cause respiratory issues. Cedar shavings should also be avoided as they contain oils that can irritate chickens\u2019 skin and respiratory tracts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure any bedding you provide is dry and dust-free. Damp bedding can harbor harmful mold and bacteria. Rake and fluff the bedding daily to help it dry out. Remove any visibly soiled or wet areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With no dirt or vegetation to absorb manure and other waste, concrete coops require diligent, frequent cleaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aim to do a full coop clean out and replace all the bedding at least once a week. For large flocks, you may need to clean twice a week or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may want to consider the costs of a concrete chicken coop<\/a> when planning your cleaning schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some tips for effective coop cleaning:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Disinfecting the coop between flocks is critical for preventing disease. On concrete, bacteria have nowhere to hide. Use a poultry-safe disinfectant after each cleaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pay close attention to corners, crevices, and high-touch areas. Allow surfaces to air dry fully before reintroducing chickens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about the advantages of a concrete chicken coop<\/a> in terms of disease control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some effective disinfectants include:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow label instructions carefully and never mix chemicals. Proper disinfection will help keep your flock healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One major downside of concrete is moisture gets trapped, leading to unhealthy ammonia build up. Ensure your coop has proper drainage so liquid can run off. For more tips on this, see our guide on drainage in a concrete chicken coop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Installing a drain in the floor is ideal. Use PVC pipe to route water from the drain out beneath the coop walls. Cover the drain with a grate to prevent clogging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If installing a drain isn\u2019t possible, create graded slopes in the floor. The floor should slope away from the center to prevent water pooling. Even a 1% slope can effectively move water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding a thin layer of gravel or sand can also improve drainage. Avoid standard concrete, which is non-porous. Porous materials allow moisture to seep through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moisture allows harmful bacteria and mold to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take steps to keep your concrete coop as dry as possible:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dry coops equal healthy chickens. Monitor for musty smells or signs of moisture regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The concrete flooring and foundation should be included in your regular coop inspections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Promptly fix any issues found and monitor for further degradation. Protect your investment by staying on top of repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Covering the concrete floor with a few inches of construction sand can benefit your chickens by:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Stir or rake the sand daily to keep it loose and replace any visibly soiled areas as needed. Dump and replace all the sand 1-2 times per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Proper ventilation is key for all coops but especially important on non-porous concrete. Stale ammonia gases from droppings need to be diluted and removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure the coop has:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Strategically place fans to pull air up and out. Open windows on opposite sides to maintain airflow. Adjust ventilation as needed seasonally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The concrete base helps deter digging predators like foxes. But don\u2019t get complacent with security:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Concrete provides no protection against predators that can chew or climb like dogs, raccoons, or rats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be vigilant against all predator types. To learn more about the impact of location, read about the location effect on a concrete coop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With chickens living directly on the ground, pathogens can easily be transmitted from shoes or equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow these biosecurity tips:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Strict biosecurity protects against devastating illnesses like avian influenza. Remain vigilant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep a close eye on your chickens for signs of health issues stemming from the concrete environment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Address any health or behavior changes immediately to keep chickens healthy and thriving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While concrete coops present some unique challenges, they can successfully house backyard chickens with diligent maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The key is providing plenty of clean, dry bedding, frequent waste removal, disinfection measures, and paying close attention to drainage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monitoring your chickens closely and addressing issues promptly is also essential. With good management, your concrete coop<\/a> can be a safe, healthy home for your flock.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Bedding is Essential<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Frequent Cleaning is a Must<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Disinfection of All Surfaces<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Provide Proper Drainage<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Keep the Coop Dry<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\nInspect for Damage Regularly<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\nAdd a Sand Layer<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\nEnsure Proper Ventilation<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Guard Against Predators<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Follow Proper Biosecurity Steps<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Monitor Chickens Closely<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n