There are different methods of managing DL, and there is no one right or wrong way. @Beekissed has been doing deep composting litter in her coop for years. Hers is odor free and she actually adds more moisture when things get dry. Some folks like it dry, she likes it wet! Mine tends to be...
And, it does freeze. But, it locks in the moisture until things thaw out again. I just keep an eye on the weather patterns, and when that warm weather comes: toss on some more leaves or hay, and open up more ventilation. It wouldn't matter what kind of litter I used, it would become a frozen...