Hens - on concrete or cattle mat

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Converting an old stable into a hen house, 4' X 6' x8' foot high. Concrete floor and walls on 3 sides (with window on back wall). Front wall will be set back from any bad weather, and made of wood and chicken wire, and we plan to put an automatic door in.

Inside we plan to have a wooden coop and egg box, but should we leave the main floor concrete or put something down? We have cow mats that are not being used. Just thinking in terms of what's easiest for deep cleaning?

Only planning to start with 3 hens, and see how it goes, it's only for enjoyment so I don't think we will have more than ten, id love some rescues, a few ducks, etc.

Any ideas or resources people can point to would be great. Thank you.

byhookorbycrook

I'd go for the mat over concrete.

DBB

With 3 to 10 hens in a space that size, deep-cleaning won't be an issue.
Set up some perches for your hens to roost on (though some rescue hens never learn to perch), and a dusting of compost or hardwood chips on the floor, and a very brief daily poop-collection will keep the place good and clean. No need for cow mats at all, in my opinion... Though if you decide to keep ducks, they might enjoy having one to lie on I don't have ducks, but my geese seriously gravitate towards anything like that to lie on!
I'd suggest you creosote perches and timbers that the birds might be in contact with, before you get your birds. It helps keep red mite at bay, along with a dusting of diatomaceous earth or lime every week or two in the summer months. They're a flippin scourge if they get a foothold.
Good luck with your new birds op... Keeping them is a bit addictive. Don't be too surprised if you've a lot more than planned in a year or two

sdp

Second all DBB said, once they learn to perch, it'll dropping only to clean, I use dust free chips and clean out daily, only few mins per day, Keeping them is bit addictive! i started with six girls, now have 10 , you'll have great fun with them, if you spend time at the start getting to know them, enjoy and let us know if you need any more information

lanod2407

DBB is spot on - I ended up with red mites, and they're a disaster to get rid of and really upset the birds. Getting yourself set up properly and dusting with lime or another treatment regularly is key to a happy life ...... for your birds and you.

deisemum

I'd recommend going straight for 10 hens when you get them. I got 10 rescue hens back in August and the poor things were nervous wrecks that was almost oven ready as they had few feathers and had very pale combs and wattles.

Within a few weeks their combs and wattles are now red or almost fully red, their feathers have grown, they're no longer nervous and love when they're let out in the mornings and spend their days rooting around the soil, some have dust baths, some perch on the various things I've put in their run.

I got my rescue hens from Little Hill http://littlehillanimalrescue.ie/

I'm currently getting 8 or 9 eggs a day so they pay for themselves. It's lovely to see how much they're enjoying their freedom now. They're entertaining and you can see the different personalities.