40 yr old solidified poop coop floor......dig it out? Or add on top?

[tari]

Hi, I'm new to BYC. I've cleaned out our inherited 11' x 9' chicken coop which is a barn bump out.
I removed all the old hay, shavings, top layer of dirt. Under the dirt is solidified ancient poop/soil.
Do I need to remove this before I add shavings, hay? I'm going to try the DLM with sweet PDZ. I'm undecided about using Food Grade DE after reading all the posts here. I do plan to use the litter in the compost. Anyone know if 40 yr old dried chicken poop will be harmful for the new flock?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Under the dirt is solidified ancient poop/soil.

My grand father had healthy chickens that free ranged the property. A lot of the time they scratched in among the fresh and ageing manure pile out side the stable or barn for the cows.
I am sure what ever you decide will work out just fine.

 

[mowin]

40 yrs old? Dig it out and use it in the garden.

But isn't going to hurt the birds. They will probably help you excavate it. Lol

 

[tari]

Thanks Mowin and Hokum Coco. I did dig a lot of it and put it in the compost....I'll take your advice and leave the rest there, flatten it a bit and add the new stuff.

 

[miguelitro]

Really no sense in flattening it out as the chickens will landscape it as they see fit.

Mike

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

If you did want it out... just saying... I wet it down with water so I can scrape it out clean.

 

[Willowspirit]

Yeah. I'm squeamish about it. I removed mine!

 

[cmom]

I would dig it out and put it in your compost and start fresh with your new birds. It appears you have a good plan. Good luck and have fun...

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Wow, that would be AWESOME on the garden, I bet!

 

[Willowspirit]

But I also admit we are putting in a floor over the dirt.