Can you use DLM with a raised coop?

[hillbillygreen]

I'm re-designing a coop for 6 hens and I've always done DLM and love this method, but I do think I've attracted some mice and would like to avoid this if possible. My husband thinks the elevated coop looks like a better way to house them for maybe easy access, but I'm mostly thinking of prevention of critters. Also of concern is I'm putting this to the south-east corner of a greenhouse we're also putting in (they will get a bit of access to this in the coldest months) and I don't like the idea of a raised coop interfering with precious sunlight. I have considered one different area for the coop, but it's very problematic.

 

[igorsMistress]

I think dlm in a raised coop would create more problems than resolutions. The wood would eventually rot and mice can climb. Do you throw food scraps and such in there?

 

[hillbillygreen]

I think dlm in a raised coop would create more problems than resolutions. The wood would eventually rot and mice can climb. Do you throw food scraps and such in there?

I do not throw scraps into the coop itself so that's not an issue, but that's an excellent point that they can climb.

 

[igorsMistress]

I do not throw scraps into the coop itself so that's not an issue, but that's an excellent point that they can climb.

Is it feed and such that draws them in? Or do they like to nest in the litter? Do you ever wet it down? What about scraps in the run as the attraction?

 

[hillbillygreen]

I think they were "sharing" my chicken's feed from their feeder as I keep the bags of feed in a rubbermaid that seems to be fine. I have a small coop inside our garage with a small access door to their outdoor run. My husband had recently added an additional insulation layer of foam board and the little buggers were clearly burrowing up through the foam as there was a sea of pink foam that they had chewed up. Looks like they had been going out to eat at my chicken house, but housing up in the insulated wall. It's no wonder why my husband wants the chickens out of his garage!

 

[perkolator]

My coop is raised off the ground and I use deep litter shavings. Haven't noticed any problems.

Old coop was basically a shed, was deep litter for at least 20yrs I'm guessing and the bare OSB floors/walls were still fully intact and not rotted or anything. Also had mice/rats getting in through the run's 2x2 fencing, to eat their spilled feed at night. New coop is all 1/2" HC to keep rodents from frequenting the property and attracting snakes

 

[aart]

The terms 'deep litter' and 'deep bedding' are often misunderstood and misapplied.
I've always liked this explanation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-method-with-this-coop.1075545/#post-16440037

 

[hillbillygreen]

The terms 'deep litter' and 'deep bedding' are often misunderstood and misapplied.
I've always liked this explanation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-method-with-this-coop.1075545/#post-16440037

This IS a great explaination and luckily, it's how I currently manage both coop and run! Except I don't have a poo board logistically it would be nearly impossible for my current set up. More to think of with my next re-design!