Reaching out to my neighbors in AZ...I’m in a hot desert climate similar to Las Vegas, but about 5 degrees cooler. I’m looking to use a deep litter method for my chickens. I have started with pine shavings, but they just blow everywhere and there’s not enough moisture to seem like I can get the compost process started. For those doing a DL method, what materials are you using? Any tips that you could share? On a side note, I’m also trying to get a composting pile going separate from the run. Any tips for having a successful compost pile in the desert. Thanks in advance!
Arizona Chickens
- Thread starter paynemom
- Start date
I disagree, genetics may play some part, but not entirely. That's ok though. Have a great day.
Hello, and welcome! I see that you have just joined the site here today. I just use plain dirt in mine, but maybe some of the other's use a DL method that can help you with that.
I use deep litter in my coop. I put down a foundation of block to prevent everything blowing around. I'm using primarily pine shavings and hay. I get it a little bit wet and stir, then stir again every few days. I do the wet down about once a week in summer, maybe every 10 to 14 days in winter depending on how long it takes to dry out. Don't do it at night in summer as it does create heat.
As for a compost pile, it's beneficial to cover it with dark colored tarp to help hold in moisture and heat, but you do have to water it down. I've had better luck letting my flock turn it over and reassembling once in a while, mostly because they have the whole yard to run and keeping them out would be more of hassle. This also requires watering.
starri33
Crowing
Hi 
, Cruella is talking, I think she's talking with her egg, I don't believe it's suppose to be hatching just yet, but with the way these guys played musical nests it's hard to tell, I don't think Midnight will ever talk to me again, she's gone into broody prison to try and break her. So we shall see. I booted the 4 chicks out of the grow out today. Going to be some beautiful babies, one has the same feather patterns as the NN I have that has just started laying, then two have what I guess you call lacing, and then we have Houdini, who's taken after his daddy Charlie... lol. The last picture is my little NN who's just started laying.
, Cruella is talking, I think she's talking with her egg, I don't believe it's suppose to be hatching just yet, but with the way these guys played musical nests it's hard to tell, I don't think Midnight will ever talk to me again, she's gone into broody prison to try and break her. So we shall see. I booted the 4 chicks out of the grow out today. Going to be some beautiful babies, one has the same feather patterns as the NN I have that has just started laying, then two have what I guess you call lacing, and then we have Houdini, who's taken after his daddy Charlie... lol. The last picture is my little NN who's just started laying.
I started the lockdown today on my incubator for Thursday's hatch. Now to get the brooder ready again. I started with 12 egg's, and have 11 left. One egg was a quitter earlier on and had a blood ring in it, so I pulled that one.
Good luck
starri33
Crowing
Good Luck with your hatch.. my little incubator is suppose to start hatching on the 17th, we're in lock down right now.
starri33
Crowing
Lucky, the little one that I didn't toss over the fence is 5 days old today and is growing wing feathers, I think little lucky is lucky for me, a hen , checking out the feathers, it's one short, one long..
, checking out the feathers, it's one short, one long..
Good luck with your hatch, too!
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