Am I making a big mistake?

[IamRainey]

I pick the poo out of the deep pine litter in my coop every day or two. But this morning it occurred to me that I've never made any effort at all to clear it from the loose dirt floor of their run.

I can't smell poop or ammonia. I wouldn't know how to filter it through all the broken leaves, twigs, assorted feathers and coarse material out there. Is it a disease hazard that they're walking around and eating on the ground out there?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Maybe, but IMHO, the key to the deep litter method is to completely remove everything on a schedule - whether that be quarterly, semi-annually or annually.
While everything is up and out of the coop/run, put down something like DE at a minimum or possibly permethrin, 5% Sevin, etc.. And then put down a thick layer of new clean bedding.
ETA
The only reason I mention permethrin or Sevin is if one has had any lice or mites on their birds.

That said, I don't have any experience with dirt floor coops except with Macaws.
All my coops have either concrete, wood or HDPE floors. A little easier to keep clean than dirt.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I pick the poo out of the deep pine litter in my coop every day or two. But this morning it occurred to me that I've never made any effort at all to clear it from the loose dirt floor of their run.

I can't smell poop or ammonia. I wouldn't know how to filter it through all the broken leaves, twigs, assorted feathers and coarse material out there. Is it a disease hazard that they're walking around and eating on the ground out there?

Some folks call that black gold as it breaks down. I'm still new to this, but I think you want it to gather down there, out of the way of the leaves and pine needles. Then, a couple times a year, you can go into the run with a wheelbarrow, frame out a piece of hardware cloth with some wood, and shovel the litter. The good stuff ready to be used in your veggie garden will filter down into the wheelbarrow.

And least that's what I've read and what seems to make sense to me. But I have lots to learn.

 

[IamRainey]

Then, a couple times a year, you can go into the run with a wheelbarrow, frame out a piece of hardware cloth with some wood, and shovel the litter.

Thanks! That's a good idea and I already have a sifter for my regular garden compost so I'll be ready when the time comes. Also good to know that every 6 months is good enough for the run.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Stocking density also dictates how frequently it needs tending.

 

[IamRainey]

Well, I only have 3 at the moment and they have a lot of space, relatively speaking. So that's good.

I'll be getting 4 more in late June then I guess I'll have to be picking up the pace. ...and the poo.

 

[Mrs. K]

trust your nose. If you can't smell ammonia you are doing fine. DRY bedding is key. Throw scratch on top of it, and they will turn it for you, breaking up manure clumps, and drying it up.

I do periodically flip out the old bedding, and start with new bedding, it is more for me than for them. Plenty of deep bedding is best imo.

But again, trust your nose.

Mrs K

 

[pennyJo1960]

Mine love making dirt bathes in the rain inside with earthen floor .. I clean in fully 2 times a year all out new in drop 7 at that time then 3 bales of shavings again my coop is 17 square foot diameter circular

 

[JaeG]

Please don't put down insecticides when you clean out your deep litter from your run. In order for it to break down into compost you need all the good bugs in the soil to go to work in the litter as they are the ones that break it down. It needs a certain amount of moisture in it as well, otherwise those little bugs can't live in and feed on your litter. The method of making good compost is exactly the same as deep litter. You always need to leave some in the run to seed the next lot as well.

 

[nightowl223]

The best thing for deep litter, IMO, is to leave between 1/4 and 1/8 of the Old stuff, and blend it in with some of the new, then cover that with new litter. It gives the composting process a boost.