Keeping chickens can be fun and rewarding, but changing the bedding? Not so much.
There are different ways to house the chickens, such as chicken tractors, but generally, they have one main coop where they spend the majority of their time - unless you keep house chickens! Most chicken keepers cover the floor of the coop with some type of bedding such as straw, hay, wood shavings, sand, and more.
This bedding will get dirty over time, of course, but you do not have to replace it as often as you might think. If you use the deep litter method for your chickens, you will have to spend significantly less time shoveling dirty bedding out of the chicken coop - I am in!
For starters, it is usually a good idea to use between four and six inches of wood shavings as a base layer. Then, if desired, you can use other bedding for additional layers. As the layers begin to decompose, you should maintain this depth; this means adding thin layers on top occasionally. Over time, the bedding will get deeper as it can only compact so much, but you will still need to add clean layers on top.
To get the composting process started in your coop, simply add enough bedding and the chickens will take care of the rest. If you need more carbon, you can add additional material such as leaves and grass if your main bedding is wood shavings. Aeration is another important step in the composting process. So be sure to turn the bedding sufficiently so that oxygen is distributed throughout.
While it's generally recommended to start with wood shavings, the additional layers you add in regularly can be made of almost any carbon-based material. You can even use straw. Many chicken keepers like to change layers from time to time or use whatever they have on hand.
When cleaning out chicken bedding, never remove all of the bedding if you plan to continue with the deep litter method. Leaving a thin layer of the original bedding will make it easier to start the composting process on the next batch, as some of the beneficial microbes will be left behind.
An easy way to encourage your chickens to turn their own bedding is to sprinkle chicken scratch or grains over the bedding throughout the coop. As the chickens search for the small pieces of food, they poke and turn the bedding over - a fun activity for the chickens!
If you do install ventilation, be careful not to create a weak spot in your coop where drafts can enter. Open eaves are ideal for chicken coops, but cross ventilation is also a good option as long as it does not let in too much cold air in the winter - chickens need to stay warm, too.
Spring can also be a good time to start, because you'll be on track to clean the bedding either the following spring or the following fall and spring, depending on how often you need to clean it. Many gardeners prefer this timing because they can use the compost for their garden beds - spring and occasionally fall are the times when gardens are most likely to need composting.
With the deep litter method, every time your chickens' bedding becomes excessively dirty, you simply need to add a thin layer of bedding over it, rather than reaching in, scooping out the droppings, and then reapplying the bedding. Not only will this method save you time and energy, but it will also reduce the amount of bedding you use in the long run.
Composting your chicken bedding in the coop will save you a few steps overall when you would compost it elsewhere instead. If you time everything right, you can move the compost directly from the coop to the garden beds in one go.
When you compost, microbes are responsible for the composting process. While this does not sound like something you want your chickens to be exposed to, these microbes are actually beneficial to your flock. These microbes can help fight pathogens, making your chickens less susceptible to disease with regular contact.
In these places, it's more likely to be exposed to the air, which means odors can be carried in the wind - hopefully, your house is not downwind! If the waste is left in the coop, not only is it contained but it is also turned into compost, which breaks down a lot of the bad odors.
Excessive moisture is more likely with the deep litter method because you are not removing the soiled bedding - this includes spilled water from your chickens' waterers. While this is a problem to watch out for, it can be avoided with proper ventilation and turning of the bedding.
If you remove the bedding under normal circumstances, you will only lose your cost for the bedding itself. If you use the deep litter method and your chickens get sick, you may lose months of composting costs in addition to all the litter you previously used. It may be annoying to have to remove all the bedding and start over, but it is worth it if you want to keep your chickens safe and healthy.
Of course, you can only completely eliminate the likelihood of disease with a deep litter alternative if you clean the coop once a week or more (depending on how many chickens you have). Consider the above factors when deciding which method is right for you.
Do you use the deep litter method? Let us know in the comments section!
There are different ways to house the chickens, such as chicken tractors, but generally, they have one main coop where they spend the majority of their time - unless you keep house chickens! Most chicken keepers cover the floor of the coop with some type of bedding such as straw, hay, wood shavings, sand, and more.
This bedding will get dirty over time, of course, but you do not have to replace it as often as you might think. If you use the deep litter method for your chickens, you will have to spend significantly less time shoveling dirty bedding out of the chicken coop - I am in!
What is the deep litter method for chicken coops?
With the deep litter method, you add thin layers of bedding when the top layer is dirty; the bedding underneath composts, which is beneficial to your chickens and can be used for later. With the deep litter method, you only need to completely clean your coop once or twice a year, depending on the size of your flock.How to use the deep litter method
The deep litter method is fairly simple but requires some care and attention to ensure that your chickens continue to have a clean and healthy environment in which to live, roost and lay eggs.1. Select Bedding
The first step is to select a sustainable bedding material with which to implement the deep litter method. Many chicken keepers feel that pine shavings are one of the best options for this method, but straw, leaves, and grass clippings are also suitable - in fact, any bedding that is made of carbon. In general, it is best to start with wood shavings as the base layer and use other bedding for later layers if desired.For starters, it is usually a good idea to use between four and six inches of wood shavings as a base layer. Then, if desired, you can use other bedding for additional layers. As the layers begin to decompose, you should maintain this depth; this means adding thin layers on top occasionally. Over time, the bedding will get deeper as it can only compact so much, but you will still need to add clean layers on top.
2. Start the Composting Process
The basic requirements for the composting process are carbonaceous materials and nitrogenous materials. In the case of the deep litter method, the bedding in the chicken coop is the carbonaceous material and the chicken waste provides the nitrogen.To get the composting process started in your coop, simply add enough bedding and the chickens will take care of the rest. If you need more carbon, you can add additional material such as leaves and grass if your main bedding is wood shavings. Aeration is another important step in the composting process. So be sure to turn the bedding sufficiently so that oxygen is distributed throughout.
3. Add More Bedding Regularly
As mentioned earlier, you will need to add thin layers of bedding on top of the main layer as it begins to decompose and accumulate too much waste. Depending on the size of your chicken coop and the number of chickens in your flock, you may need to add new layers once a week to once a month.While it's generally recommended to start with wood shavings, the additional layers you add in regularly can be made of almost any carbon-based material. You can even use straw. Many chicken keepers like to change layers from time to time or use whatever they have on hand.
4. Clean it out Regularly
Once the bedding reaches a depth of twelve inches, it is advisable to clean most of it out - some chicken keepers prefer to clean it out at a depth of about eight inches. Many chicken keepers only need to clean out their coop once or twice a year, usually in the spring and/or fall.When cleaning out chicken bedding, never remove all of the bedding if you plan to continue with the deep litter method. Leaving a thin layer of the original bedding will make it easier to start the composting process on the next batch, as some of the beneficial microbes will be left behind.
Helpful Tips for Using the Deep Litter Method for your Chickens
When using the deep litter method for your chicken coop, there are a few extra steps you can take to make your life even easier. While there is always more than one way to do things, here are some tips to consider.Let the Chickens do the Work
An important step in making compost is turning the bedding occasionally to encourage the composting process by adding oxygen. While you can turn the bedding yourself with a small shovel or spade, why not let your chickens do it for you?An easy way to encourage your chickens to turn their own bedding is to sprinkle chicken scratch or grains over the bedding throughout the coop. As the chickens search for the small pieces of food, they poke and turn the bedding over - a fun activity for the chickens!
Add Ventilation
It's always a good idea to ventilate the chicken coop, as this will help keep ammonia gasses and excess moisture out of the chickens' home. This is especially important if you are using the deep litter method, as there will be a higher concentration of waste in the coop at most times, giving more opportunity for ammonia gasses and excess moisture.If you do install ventilation, be careful not to create a weak spot in your coop where drafts can enter. Open eaves are ideal for chicken coops, but cross ventilation is also a good option as long as it does not let in too much cold air in the winter - chickens need to stay warm, too.
Start in the Spring
While it's not necessary to start creating deep litter in the spring, it can be ideal for the composting process and later use of the compost. Composting generates heat, but this process does not begin immediately. If you start in the spring, the bedding and compost waste will generate heat starting in the fall, so your chickens will be warm when they need it and not overly warm in the summer.Spring can also be a good time to start, because you'll be on track to clean the bedding either the following spring or the following fall and spring, depending on how often you need to clean it. Many gardeners prefer this timing because they can use the compost for their garden beds - spring and occasionally fall are the times when gardens are most likely to need composting.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Deep Litter Method
As with all advice on keeping chickens, you should weigh the pros and cons before deciding to use this method in your coop. Here is what you need to know.Advantages of the Deep Litter Method
The deep litter method has numerous benefits for your chicken coop, some for you and some for your chickens. While this method is not suitable for every situation, if you think it is suitable for your coop, you can look forward to the following benefits.1. Spend Less Time Cleaning
When you use the deep litter method instead of cleaning your chicken coop regularly, you spend much less time cleaning overall - and who does not want that?With the deep litter method, every time your chickens' bedding becomes excessively dirty, you simply need to add a thin layer of bedding over it, rather than reaching in, scooping out the droppings, and then reapplying the bedding. Not only will this method save you time and energy, but it will also reduce the amount of bedding you use in the long run.
2. Create Compost
As mentioned earlier, the bedding used for the deep litter method creates compost that can be used in the garden as needed. While the bedding does not necessarily have to stay in the coop to be composted, this is an effective place for composting - and you will not have to move it more than once.Composting your chicken bedding in the coop will save you a few steps overall when you would compost it elsewhere instead. If you time everything right, you can move the compost directly from the coop to the garden beds in one go.
3. Beneficial Microbes
Making compost in your chicken coop not only saves you some steps but is also beneficial to the chickens that live there.When you compost, microbes are responsible for the composting process. While this does not sound like something you want your chickens to be exposed to, these microbes are actually beneficial to your flock. These microbes can help fight pathogens, making your chickens less susceptible to disease with regular contact.
4. Reduce the Odor
It may seem counterintuitive, but if you leave your chickens' droppings in the coop and use the deep litter method, you can actually reduce odor nuisance to your chickens. If you clean out your coop regularly, all waste has to go somewhere - usually either in the garbage or on the compost pile.In these places, it's more likely to be exposed to the air, which means odors can be carried in the wind - hopefully, your house is not downwind! If the waste is left in the coop, not only is it contained but it is also turned into compost, which breaks down a lot of the bad odors.
What Are the Disadvantages of the Deep Litter Method?
There are many good reasons to use the deep litter method in your chicken coop, but there are also potential disadvantages that can be dangerous to your chickens. If you are going to use the deep litter method, be sure to do thorough research beforehand to avoid any negative consequences.1. Excess Humidity
Without adequate ventilation and circulation, the bedding for your deep litter chicken coop is more susceptible to excessive moisture. Excessively moist bedding is prone to mold and bacteria and can lead to diseases such as coccidiosis and bumblefoot in your chickens.Excessive moisture is more likely with the deep litter method because you are not removing the soiled bedding - this includes spilled water from your chickens' waterers. While this is a problem to watch out for, it can be avoided with proper ventilation and turning of the bedding.
2. Ammonia Gas Accumulation
As with moisture formation, the deep litter method is more likely to form ammonia gas from chicken waste. Since the bedding is not regularly removed from the coop, the ammonia gas is released into the coop; in this case, good ventilation is important. Similar to the problem of excessive moisture, the build-up of ammonia gas can be easily avoided by ventilation and the occasional turning of the bedding.3. Diseased Bedding
If your chickens become ill with a disease, it is always a good idea to remove the used bedding immediately and replace it with fresh bedding. Bacteria and viruses can live in the bedding, especially with the deep litter method, as the living conditions can be ideal for these microorganisms to thrive.If you remove the bedding under normal circumstances, you will only lose your cost for the bedding itself. If you use the deep litter method and your chickens get sick, you may lose months of composting costs in addition to all the litter you previously used. It may be annoying to have to remove all the bedding and start over, but it is worth it if you want to keep your chickens safe and healthy.
Conclusion
When it comes to bedding for your chickens, you need to think carefully about your needs and goals. If you want to completely eliminate the occurrence of disease in your chickens, the deep litter method may not be the best choice. While diseases are unlikely to occur with the deep litter method, there is still the possibility of them.Of course, you can only completely eliminate the likelihood of disease with a deep litter alternative if you clean the coop once a week or more (depending on how many chickens you have). Consider the above factors when deciding which method is right for you.
Do you use the deep litter method? Let us know in the comments section!
