Chicken coop for hot climate residents - think desert

[DesertSilkieHen]

This is great! I live in Tucson and am going to build something similar. I worry about broody silkie hens overheating in an enclosed hen house but it seems like the three-sided house solves that problem.

 

[Nospoon]

Hi, I see this post was some time ago and you have moved to another state since then. This is exactly the coop design I was looking for! When you 1st posted this thread though, you mentioned your intentions to use the deep litter method. I am curious about using the deep litter method myself here in Tucson. However, I have not come across any mention of having success with it in our climate. In fact, all I have seen discussed is how it won't work here in the desert. Would you mind sharing your experience with the deep litter method in the desert? Did it work for you? If so, what bedding material did you use? Any do's or don'ts based on your experience?

I don't have a flock yet, but I love the idea of the deep litter method and how it can keep the girls warm in the winter. I imagine starting with fresh bedding at the beginning of the summer rather than spring to avoid creating extra heat during those many hot months so that the beneficial heat properties can kick in when it's a little nippy out would be best. But then I wonder about the seasonal monsoons and all the moisture that would not be good with the deep litter method. Thanks for any insight you can provide