Flooring for new hen house

Karen_H · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:19 pm

Hi all

Just a quick question

Hubby is building me a couple of new chook houses and after looking at some plans etc we have decided to build them up off the ground. We are using recycled items, mainly old crates that were used to transport solar panels. The flooring is a plywood, not weather proof. I was going to paint them with solar guard (the outside will be done with this anwyay) but have seen in pictures that people have used lino on the inside with bedding over the top (google searches).

Has anyone here used lino and if so, how did/do you find it? We will be using straw bedding as we get it for free :-D

, I am just wanting to protect the timber a bit as I think it will rot fairly quickly if left bare.

[smilie=thanks.gif]

wickedwings · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 3:35 pm

How quickly the timber rots is a function of how wet it gets and how long it remains that way to some extent. If you have a deep litter system then the floor doesn't get that wet, particularly since you are going to build them off the ground the airflow underneath will help dry it out. I would think that unless you have the floor well lined with the lino, then any moisture that does get underneath and comes in contact with the timber will remain there longer because there is little air getting to the surface to dry it out again. I guess if the lino was pretty seemless and covered the floor and up the walls a little to completely contain the litter then that would work. Never tried it so I'm just musing out loud.

LazyDay · **Joined:** Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:09 am **Posts:** 1

Wouldn't the lino be way too slippery? what about a rough rubber over the timber like you buy from clark rubber

Karen_H · **Posted:** Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:12 pm

We ditched the lino idea and are trying 'fake grass'. It can be removed and hosed off for cleaning. Will see how it goes :-D

wickedwings · **Posted:** Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:15 pm

Well that looks pretty good! Do you have photos of the exterior also?

Never mind, I found them. http://australianpoultryforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=16143&view=unread#unread

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

WITH ENVY

Chicka-Dee · **Joined:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:12 am **Posts:** 1194

Hi Karen

I was wondering how the fake grass idea is going. My hubby and I are looking for ideas for flooring to a new pen that we are going to build, but are unsure of what to use for the floor.

Has the fake grass given you any grief? I know it is still early days for you but would love to hear how you have found it.

Cheers
Chicka-Dee

wickedwings · **Posted:** Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:03 am

I find the problem with the fake grass during this drought is all the imaginary water I have to keep pouring on it.

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:30 am

Nothing to do with poultry, but there was something on the news the other day about banning artificial turf in playgrounds.

http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com ... cial-turf/

Chicka-Dee · **Joined:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:12 am **Posts:** 1194

Wow,

Very interesting article. Especially the bit about "containing known carcinogens and corrosive chemicals".

Thank you HH. That has answered my question about whether to use this material in the flooring of my new chook house. That is a solid NO, for this Chicka-Dee.

WW - very witty. You should call yourself Witty Wings.

I wish I had that type of witt!

AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Flooring for new hen house

Who is on the Forum