Change of plans

[debid]

And the dominant hen that would challenge him took over as leader. She did a much better job and the whole group was calmer after that.

 

[Rillowen]

I made the mistake of building a run that cannot be moved around. I'll need to make some fencing in new areas this summer. But honestly, they did such a 'scorched-earth' deal on the ground that was such nice tall grasses when they came, that I don't think anything will ever grow there again. It is worst than any forest fire.

you may need more than 2 spots to rotate through. Chickens work from sunrise to sunset, scratching everything out of existence. They barely leave the dirt behind.

After 5 mo-a year of sitting while the acid dissolves it will suddenly grow faster and fiercer than anywhere else, chicken poo is amazing fertilizer.

 

[debid]

After 5 mo-a year of sitting while the acid dissolves it will suddenly grow faster and fiercer than anywhere else, chicken poo is amazing fertilizer.

It's been nearly 5 years since that comment so hopefully they have a solution...

I add dried leaves and lawn clippings to the run depending on season and then remove a huge quantity of chicken assisted compost just before the grass clippings season starts back up. Every 2-3 years for removal is adequate with the current population density.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

It's been nearly 5 years since that comment so hopefully they have a solution...

I add dried leaves and lawn clippings to the run depending on season and then remove a huge quantity of chicken assisted compost just before the grass clippings season starts back up. Every 2-3 years for removal is adequate with the current population density.

I do pretty much the same with my run but shovel out a good chunk every year before spring planting and put it in my garden beds.

 

[Rillowen]

It's been nearly 5 years since that comment so hopefully they have a solution...

I add dried leaves and lawn clippings to the run depending on season and then remove a huge quantity of chicken assisted compost just before the grass clippings season starts back up. Every 2-3 years for removal is adequate with the current population density.

Wow, thats quite a long time! I have been trying to do the deep litter method, but find myself needing to clean it out and reset at least MOSTLY every 3 months, im aiming for every 6 for a complete reset, but its hard to wait that long. I use straw, grass clippings, shredded paper, and leaves, depending on whats available. We only have 10 in 55 square ft, and free range! How do they make So Much Poo?!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Wow, thats quite a long time! I have been trying to do the deep litter method, but find myself needing to clean it out and reset at least MOSTLY every 3 months, im aiming for every 6 for a complete reset, but its hard to wait that long. I use straw, grass clippings, shredded paper, and leaves, depending on whats available. We only have 10 in 55 square ft, and free range! How do they make So Much Poo?!

Try getting some wood chips or mulch. The bare minimum for each bird in the run is 10sqft, so your space is a bit small, and that's probably why you have so much poop. Unless you free range all day, it's just not offsetting the small area.

 

[WingItRanch]

Wow, thats quite a long time! I have been trying to do the deep litter method, but find myself needing to clean it out and reset at least MOSTLY every 3 months, im aiming for every 6 for a complete reset, but its hard to wait that long. I use straw, grass clippings, shredded paper, and leaves, depending on whats available. We only have 10 in 55 square ft, and free range! How do they make So Much Poo?!

I bet it's the grass clippings that's making you clean sooner. Poo is green material and needs brown material to balance it for composting. Grass clippings (unless completely dried out to practically straw) is considered green, as well. There may too be much green and not enough brown. Wood chips or mulch, like Jessi suggested, may do the trick!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Try getting some wood chips or mulch. The bare minimum for each bird in the run is 10sqft, so your space is a bit small, and that's probably why you have so much poop. Unless you free range all day, it's just not offsetting the small area.

Oh and I should have added that there should be no need for a "complete reset" doing deep litter. It should naturally compost and you should just always be adding more material. I do remove the under layer every year for the top layer of my garden, but I've never done a reset, just add more material.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Langdon and his ladies have made it to their new home, safe and sound. On a happier note we have 6 pips! Pics to come!