Chicken Coop Litter Trays

[Clairemarie1982]

Hi y’all! I’m planning on ordering my first chicken coop. I was going to include litter trays under the roosting bars. But now on second thought— if I’m planning on using the deep litter method in the coop, would getting litter trays even make sense?

Thanks so much!
Claire

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Hi y’all! I’m planning on ordering my first chicken coop. I was going to include litter trays under the roosting bars. But now on second thought— if I’m planning on using the deep litter method in the coop, would getting litter trays even make sense?

Thanks so much!
Claire

I don't use litter trays.. I wouldn't use them if you are planning on using the deep litter method. Are you planning to use these for eggs or dirt bathing? Eggs you will need nesting boxes (simply make a box and put hay/wood chips in the box and they will lay their eggs in there) and for dirtbathing, it might work. Never tried it though.

 

[Clairemarie1982]

Hi! Thanks for your reply. Neither dust bathe or egg collecting but rather the thought is that chickens poop a lot while on the roosting bars and these trays are placed under and can be accessed from outside the coop. Slide out and clean. See pic below.

I don't use litter trays.. I wouldn't use them if you are planning on using the deep litter method. Are you planning to use these for eggs or dirt bathing? Eggs you will need nesting boxes (simply make a box and put hay/wood chips in the box and they will lay their eggs in there) and for dirtbathing, it might work. Never tried it though.[/QUOT

I don't use litter trays.. I wouldn't use them if you are planning on using the deep litter method. Are you planning to use these for eggs or dirt bathing? Eggs you will need nesting boxes (simply make a box and put hay/wood chips in the box and they will lay their eggs in there) and for dirtbathing, it might work. Never tried it though.

I don't use litter trays.. I wouldn't use them if you are planning on using the deep litter method. Are you planning to use these for eggs or dirt bathing? Eggs you will need nesting boxes (simply make a box and put hay/wood chips in the box and they will lay their eggs in there) and for dirtbathing, it might work. Never tried it though.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Any link or pictures of the actual coop you are looking at ordering?

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Hi! Thanks for your reply. Neither dust bathe or egg collecting but rather the thought is that chickens poop a lot while on the roosting bars and these trays are placed under and can be accessed from outside the coop. Slide out and clean. See pic below.

Oh, that's very smart.

 

[Clairemarie1982]

Any link or pictures of the actual coop you are looking at ordering?

Yes I included a pic above of the inside roosting bar area I was talking about =)

 

[Merrymouse]

I use deep litter AND poop trays. It works great!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yes I included a pic above of the inside roosting bar area I was talking about =)

Nice! How big is that coop? In the pic it looks like a nice size.


I asked because DLM is hard to do in a coop with a floor and even harder when it is elevated. Microbes in the soil and all that.

 

[Clairemarie1982]

Nice! How big is that coop? In the pic it looks like a nice size.


I asked because DLM is hard to do in a coop with a floor and even harder when it is elevated. Microbes in the soil and all that.

Hmm... The coop is 6x10, 6x6 of that is the coop, and the other part is the feed room.

 

[Clairemarie1982]

I use deep litter AND poop trays. It works great!

I think I have a handle on how the deep litter method works- but can I ask how you care for the litter trays? Are you lining them with pine shavings? How often do you empty them etc. Thanks so much!