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You are making it more complicated than it is. I haven't entered the run simply because there hasn't been a need to...:( Currently there is a good 2 1/2 feet of dense compacted carbon matter above the original soil level. I am surrounded by large trees... I could probably add nothing for 3 or...

Hi Kacey, 1. No need to add anything but dried leaves. The leaves left alone will compost naturally in a year or two. Added nitrogen such as chicken manure or fresh greens feed the microorganisms helping the decomposition along. 2. I don't collect the compost from the bottom, although I...

I simply put 6 to 8 inches of pine savings in the coop. Proper ventilation is extremely important. The girls scratch and turn the deep bedding, the moisture evaporates, the bedding keeps relatively dry, no harmful odors. Moisture never reaches my untreated wood floor. You will get dust...

Well... My run has about 2 1/2 feet of last fall's leaves...

My run could easily withstand a 3 foot snow load. That said, I cover with a temporary tarp only about 20% of the run. My birds do not like to step on snow... My run is as secure as my coop. Girls have access to the run 24/7. The covered part allows immediate access to the run during...

I pile deep, shredded leaves in the fall, like 3+ feet deep. Now, early spring, the depth is around 2 1/2 feet compacted. I have plenty more in reserve... I will add mostly greens including but not limited to lawn clippings, weeds, and of course chicken manure droppings, throughout the...

I think you will find that keeping "Deep Bedding" works VERY WELL with wood floors. Keeping pine shavings 6-10 inches deep does not allow moisture to reach my 40+ year old wood floor. I do not clean my floors but once a year, removing the bedding and placing in my deep litter outdoor run to...

How deep was deep? Mine froze solid, but coop constraints only allows for 14 inches max deep litter inside. I couldn't get a fork in it...and my coldest temps don't even compare with yours. Coop design also allows, and has, >1 square foot ventilation per bird, very well ventilated and draft...

@Beekissed , is your coop floor also elevated, allowing cooling from all 6 sides? I believe that is why my deep litter failed inside the coop, and froze solid.

Albany, if I remember correctly, gets cold... Your coop floor being 6" off the ground...well, pretty much any moisture required for deep litter to compost properly is going to freeze solid into a brick. Might I suggest forgetting about the deep litter, and just go with deep bedding. I have...

Deep Litter... Do a bit of searching and research composting. Chicken manure is essentially a hot nitrogen source. When properly balanced with carbon sources, such as wood shavings or dried leaves, the results are fabulous. As said by Beekissed, No mud or flies. The odors resemble...

I find my girls love to dig deep craters in the deep 2 foot litter. I'm not sure what, but they are constantly pecking and eating something good.