Coop bedding

[taguinn82804]

We are to the finishing point of the Coop. We are wanting to do the Deep Litter Method. I was going to use shavings but wondered if anyone uses the Hemp bedding with deep litter method? If so how do you like it? We are going to use PDZ under the roost bars to scoop that.

 

[aart]

Deep litter(moist mix needs contact with ground to compost)
or deep bedding(dry to dry out poops)?
In the coop or in the run?


What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture

-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.
-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.
- Large flake pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.
- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.
-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 10+ years.

 

[Blingchix6]

I started using hemp last year after using wood shavings for the last 6 or 7 years. Hemp costs more but I only need to clean out the coop two or three times a year. The hemp composts faster and easier than the wood chips, there is a lot less smell. I just throw on more hemp bedding when the coop starts looking poopy. I will never go back to wood shavings after trying hemp. A 30 pound bale will cover my 4ft x 6ft coop floor about 4 inches deep. Odor control is much better with hemp. I also have poop boards under the perches