? about deep liter

[birdbrain2]

I just got chicks out in new coop. all the pine bedding from brooder went into compost pile. and after just a few weeks it has all turned dark brown and is turning to ash from the heat. so will the bedding in coop look like that after a year of deep liter collecting and decomposing in coop? will this method create unwanted heat in the summer?

 

[basicliving]

If you keep the litter on the floor of the coop from getting wet, you should not have a problem. I use the deep litter method and the majority of the poo is pretty dry before I cover it with more litter. I cover it once or twice a week. Mine doesn't get hot at all. In really humid environments, I suppose it could be a concern? But I've not experienced that.

Penny

 

[patandchickens]

It's not turning to ash... it might be getting moldy and you're seeing mycelia and/or spores.

Remember that how much compost heats up depends on how thick it is; you will presumably not have a meter-deep layer in the coop

Really, just play it by ear and see what happens, adjust your management accordingly, you'll figure out what works for your particular situation

Good luck, have fun,

Pat