Deep litter and mud

[Kathy Golla]

Hi Everyone,
I have been doing deep litter in my about 16' x 10' uncovered run with six hens since April of this year. I live in the SF Bay Area. Things went great over the summer. The DLM stays on the dry side.
The uncovered run stays shady and sheltered, which is great for the summer but not so great in the winter.
We have had some rain. The DLM seems really muddy and compacted. How should I manage the DLM during the winter?
@aart @lazy gardener @Beekissed

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't live in a warmer climate so I'm not sure if my advice applies, but I add more stuff during winter, stuff that is bulky like hay, straw, or mulch to thicken up the base.

 

[aart]

The DLM seems really muddy and compacted.

What ingredients did you use at what ratios?
How deep is it?
Some pics would help.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Hi aart.
I'll take some photos.
Not counting the bottom layer the dlm is close to 6 inches deep, when dry. After 6 months. I began it six months ago.
I use leaves (80%) and grass (10%) and pine shavings (10%).

 

[aart]

Hi aart.
I'll take some photos.
Not counting the bottom layer the dlm is close to 6 inches deep, when dry. After 6 months. I began it six months ago.
I use leaves (80%) and grass (10%) and pine shavings (10%).

Leaves break down fairly quick....you need some larger wood chips.

 

[Kathy Golla]

 

[Kathy Golla]

I have the tsc flake pine shavings...do I need larger size than the flake or just more of a ratio of the flake?

 

[aart]

I have the tsc flake pine shavings...do I need larger size than the flake or just more of a ratio of the flake?

Either bigger, coarser wood chips, like from a tree trimmer.
And/or coarse wood/bark mulch(un-dyed) from garden center.
And/or larger ratio of larger flake shavings.

 

[blackdog043]

Either bigger, coarser wood chips, like from a tree trimmer.
And/or coarse wood/bark mulch(un-dyed) from garden center.
And/or larger ratio of larger flake shavings.

What aart said. Here's a link below, for natural pine bark nuggets, this would be good. Also if you have small tree branches that fall, you can break them to smaller pieces and throw them in too. You just need to add some bigger items, I have some pine cones in mine.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Timberline-Timberline-2-cu-ft-Brown-Pine-Bark-Nuggets/1000132093

 

[Kathy Golla]

Thank you so much!!!