Coop Footing/Base Is In...

Yesterday I had the opportunity to start putting the base/footing in the coop.

Dear hubby helped me, with our new wheelbarrow, and we knocked it out in less than an hour.

I've put a 2" #10 KY Limestone Grit in.

Here is the rest of my plan:

On top of this footing, which is mostly to help with drainage and to keep chickens from digging holes, I'm planning on putting rubber mats down. I think I have a source where I can get them pretty cheap...if not I will have to rethink. But IF all goes to plan, on top of this grit will go the mats. On top of the mats (which have holes to let high moisture through), I will then add barn lime. On top of the barn lime, corn cob bedding. The lime will keep the smell down, the bedding will be an easy, rake out the poop bedding.

I will also have a "sandbox" so the chickens can dust themselves as they want.

I'm also planting some "window boxes" with oats/grass/grains, and plan to rotate them in and out to give them something to scratch/eat/play with, in addition to getting to go in their tractor or outdoor run.

Only 7 more days until the babies arrive...I'm getting excited!