can we talk chicken droppings??

[nminusyplusm]

How did you start it? This time of year, I don't have leaves or much yard waste. And do you add something daily? I just see them stepping all over the poo right on the surface... ugh.

I started it with 3 bales of straw in an 8' x 10' run and pine shavings in a 4' x 7' coop. I wouldn't use the shavings again as they take a really long time to start breaking down.

I only add material when needed or when I have it on hand, not that often, maybe every month or 2 another bale goes in. In the late fall I clean up my garden and dump everything in. Once you get a feel for it you'll know when you need to add.

Also since I'm in southern NM I add water by hosing it down to keep it actively composting and prevent it from turning into a dustbowl. Not too much, just enough so it stays dark brown.

I also added dirt to the coop litter to inoculate it with good microbes. Deep litter is so easy I would never do chickening any other way.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I have 200 sq Ft in the run for 7 chickens...?

More than right for dlm!

 

[ChickenMamaC]

Okay, deep litter proponents-- I feel dumb, but honestly until it gets established, how are they not constantly stepping in their poo? Do you have feather-footed birds?

 

[nminusyplusm]

Okay, deep litter proponents-- I feel dumb, but honestly until it gets established, how are they not constantly stepping in their poo? Do you have feather-footed birds?

If you start with around 6" of straw and whatever else is on hand (it's important that there are different sized pieces so it stays aerated and doesn't become anaerobic) they will scratch around and the poop sinks down and kind of disappears leaving dry litter on top for them to walk on. That's also why it's a great solution for a run with a fly problem-- the flies can't get to it but the microbes can, and it breaks down.

ETA: I have a Faverolle cross with some feathering on her feet and her feet stay dry and clean.

 

[ChickenMamaC]

If you start with around 6" of straw and whatever else is on hand (it's important that there are different sized pieces so it stays aerated and doesn't become anaerobic) they will scratch around and the poop sinks down and kind of disappears leaving dry litter on top for them to walk on. That's also why it's a great solution for a run with a fly problem-- the flies can't get to it but the microbes can, and it breaks down.

ETA: I have a Faverolle cross with some feathering on her feet and her feet stay dry and clean.

Thanks... and yes, we have been getting flies, even though I scoop almost daily!! I'll have to give this a go.

 

[nminusyplusm]

Thanks... and yes, we have been getting flies, even though I scoop almost daily!! I'll have to give this a go.

I think you'll love DL!

 

[MissChick@dee]

I make organic shampoo and face wash with mine. Not...really. I garden in the desert so the only way dirt turns to soil is with enriching it. I have a tumbler composter that never really took off until I added poo. I also save and crush egg shells. My bigger ground compost (straw and clippings and poo) is a chicken wire circle that has cut firewood at the bottom covered with rocks. I use that in my raised beds as cover in winter. And the chickens and I go bug hunting under the firewood.

 

[Mrs. K]

I use a lot of old hay. I pile it up before it snows into mini haystacks, and then flip it on top of the snow the next day. They will come right out.

Put the hay/straw/leaves in there deep. And once or twice a week, throw scratch right on top of the worst spots. It will look fresh when you go back. Easiest thing ever, I never poop scoop my run or coop. In the coop, a couple of times a year, I will do an all bedding out of the coop - but it just goes to the run. The rest of the time, if I think it is building up, I just throw some scratch down.

Your birds will be clean, your coop/run will be pleasing for you to walk in, there will be no smell, and dang few flies.

At times, I have bare spots in the run, just spots of soil exposed, sometimes I rake it up into piles, and let them tear it down again...come spring, perfect mulch for the garden, with little weed seed.

Of course, a big thing to remember is I am a rancher, so perhaps a little more tolerant, I do not have neighbors, and we are not desert, but pretty dry and arid. What works for some, may not work for others. But I think you would be pretty impressed if you just showed up unexpectedly.

MRs K

 

[rosemarythyme]

Even with deep litter yes you'll sometimes step in a poop or two. I do scoop twice a day for the big, obvious poops (and those go in my compost and my MIL's compost, since we both garden) but since a lot of it just disappears into the litter it's very manageable.

Once the litter starts breaking down you can take some out for your garden.

 

[Rysktal]

Get a bunch of ducks then chicken poop won't seem like a big deal