Converting sand run to deep litter

[Sally PB]

A friend of mine has just about beach sand for her garden. Last summer they added a bunch of compost, then they put on a thick layer of wood chips. That made a BIG difference in just a few weeks.

My deep litter in the run wasn't composting much last summer, and I finally realized that it was because it was too dry. It's covered, and we weren't getting much rain anyway. So I started pouring out their water bowl in the run at lock up at night. I could see a difference in about a week.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

In a dry, covered run you don't have deep litter, you have deep bedding and this is how I manage it:

Thank you for the info! Would a 260 sq ft run with deep bedding be managed the same as a small coop? i.e. having to clean it out completely at some point, or could I add moisture manually like @Sally PB and not have to completely clean out at all?

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you for the info! Would a 260 sq ft run with deep bedding be managed the same as a small coop? i.e. having to clean it out completely at some point, or could I add moisture manually like @Sally PB and not have to completely clean out at all?

I wouldn't know for sure.

You could try and the worst that could happen is that you needed to clean it out at some point.

 

[RoyalChick]

Thank you for the info! Would a 260 sq ft run with deep bedding be managed the same as a small coop? i.e. having to clean it out completely at some point, or could I add moisture manually like @Sally PB and not have to completely clean out at all?

I haven’t cleaned mine in over three years. I sometimes dig up a bucket or two because I want to use it for the roses.

 

[aart]

Thank you for the info! Would a 260 sq ft run with deep bedding be managed the same as a small coop? i.e. having to clean it out completely at some point, or could I add moisture manually like @Sally PB and not have to completely clean out at all?

If it's covered and never wet down, maybe.

@DobieLover could speak to this, they have a covered run with wood chippings in a cold climate.

 

[DobieLover]

If it's covered and never wet down, maybe.

@DobieLover could speak to this, they have a covered run with wood chippings in a cold climate.

My run is 368 ft2 with a solid roof. I've only ever added new wood chips. I've never removed anything.

 

[aart]

My run is 368 ft2 with a solid roof. I've only ever added new wood chips. I've never removed anything.

Does it break down without adding any moisture?

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Thank you, @aart , @DobieLover , @RoyalChick and @3KillerBs !! This has been most enlightening and so, so helpful!!

 

[DobieLover]

Does it break down without adding any moisture?

It does at the edges where rain/snow reach it. I rake it out periodically.