I know there are countless threads here on the subject and I'm sorry to add to it by starting a new one.
But I'm having a hard time deciding what to do. At first, I really planned on using pine shavings.. and even thought of doing the deep litter method... but after researching it more, I'm not so sure it's something I want to do. I just don't know. If I use pine shavings, do I HAVE to do the DLM?
My coop is 10' X 20', but some of that is going to be off limits to the chickens.. a storage area and a brooder/nursery type area. I'm not set on how big those areas will be yet. We're still building the shell of the coop and having gotten to the logistics of the inside yet.
I want something relatively easy to maintain, obviously. I've read about sand, and how many people just love it. But I worry about the weight. I'd have to use a LOT of sand to cover my coop floor. Unless of course I didn't make it very deep. Which I'm not sure how deep you are supposed to make it, if it even matters.
Not only is the weight an issue, but the handling of the sand. Wheelbarrowing or bucketing it into the coop.... I'm trying to do as much of this project on my own... I'm a middle aged woman with some physical limitations, so I have to be realistic.
I considered utilizing a droppings board or hammock under the roost area, but since this is my first time dealing with chickens, I don't know how much of the droppings end up all throughout the coop bedding and not in the hammock or on the board.
I will appreciate any guidance... thank you!!
But I'm having a hard time deciding what to do. At first, I really planned on using pine shavings.. and even thought of doing the deep litter method... but after researching it more, I'm not so sure it's something I want to do. I just don't know. If I use pine shavings, do I HAVE to do the DLM?
My coop is 10' X 20', but some of that is going to be off limits to the chickens.. a storage area and a brooder/nursery type area. I'm not set on how big those areas will be yet. We're still building the shell of the coop and having gotten to the logistics of the inside yet.
I want something relatively easy to maintain, obviously. I've read about sand, and how many people just love it. But I worry about the weight. I'd have to use a LOT of sand to cover my coop floor. Unless of course I didn't make it very deep. Which I'm not sure how deep you are supposed to make it, if it even matters.
Not only is the weight an issue, but the handling of the sand. Wheelbarrowing or bucketing it into the coop.... I'm trying to do as much of this project on my own... I'm a middle aged woman with some physical limitations, so I have to be realistic.
I considered utilizing a droppings board or hammock under the roost area, but since this is my first time dealing with chickens, I don't know how much of the droppings end up all throughout the coop bedding and not in the hammock or on the board.
I will appreciate any guidance... thank you!!