Pen floor & cleaning?

Dh says he doesn't want to get on hands and knees to clean pen every day.  as you can see in this pic


http://www.flickr.com/photos/27874888@N02/2600760614/

The pen is on concrete/tarmac.  This is the new site.  Before the chooks were on the grass and in a smaller pen which we'd lift and move to rake up droppings. Also there was less droppings in the coup as they were more free range. Since the fox took them we'd move the pen.  Now on hard patio surface we've put down wood shavings - easibed.  Pain to clean the poop as have to get on hands and knees in the access end (bit with ropes on) to scoop them up once chickens are in bed (almost dark).  Also when fully cleaning we'd have to rake & shovel chipings out which having a rabbit run it is back breaking work.

Right my question - Could we adapt the floor of the pen by using pull out draws?  Will wood floor hurt the chickens feet when they scratch?

I'm not bothered with the cleaning at the moment, but DH has an idea and detailed plan on how to improve the daily cleaning routine.  As usual he's a man that has cleaned the chicken house 1 out of 3 nights & complained that it was hard work!  I have to clean rabbit out daily which means bending over and shoveling her "debris" out in and taking to compost bin.  It can be hard work.  Currently as there is no rain I have no problem in doing this, but I can see that in the rain I might object to getting on my hands and knees for 15 minutes where as with trays we can pull out and clean a little easier.  I know I've come in from doing the rabbit and got very wet!

I am not totally convinced in the whole plan which is why I am sounding you guys out!

I don't fancy makinf a new pen and I don't want a walk in pen as the area where chickens are will mean I then wouldn't be able to see my whole garden from house.

I suggested the lifting off and coup and pen do seprate, but DH thinks the floor idea will be easier to do.  I'm just not sure about the effect on the hens feet?

They are in there most of the day at the moment as we won't be able to free range until dogs and chickens are settled in.  I'm not sure how that would work either as before chickens were at far end of garden & dogs at other.  see this for what I mean http://www.flickr.com/photos/27874888@N02/2599834465/

I was wondering that Rob.

Why do you need to clean the run out every day ?  

How many hens do you keep in it ? I'd say it looks big enough for 2-3 chickens.  

Do they have to stay in their all the time or do they range around your garden most of the time ?

I used to worry about cleaning the run, since then I have put about a 3in deep layer of woodchips in their run and add covers if the weather is bad so it don't get all wet as this cause's the smelly's.

get a garden vac and suck it all out lol

Daz you come up with the most AMAZING ideas      

Or get a dog and let it have a great time in there !

it'll be clean in no time  :shock:

...it's what dogs do.  :roll:

Rob