Coop Litter: Novice to all of it

[FredHill]

Hi! I got so much great feedback on my coop design, here's my next question. I've read pros and cons on all the litter methods but am green as a gourd when it comes to hands on! I would like low odor low maintenance. (Wouldn't we all?) I've read that something called "river gravel" I think.. is very good. You just rake it out every day like cat litter in a way. It's smallish but not so small they'll eat it (I think). And not big either. I've read it can be hard to find. Perhaps at a landscape supply store. I live in central coastal Florida. And I plan to have 3 silkies and 3 smallish normal laying hens, if that matters. Has anyone tried this method? If so, what's it like? Thanks!

 

[FredHill]

Here's a pic of what I've been reading about

 

[DobieLover]

Gravel and chicken poop are not a good combination.

You can use GRANULAR Sweet PDZ in poop board to scoop and that will go a very long way to keeping the coop clean.

Anything organic in the run that will break down with the poop load is a good choice.

@U_Stormcrow is in FL and can offer good advice for run litter available there.

 

[FredHill]

TY!

 

[FredHill]

Gravel and chicken poop are not a good combination.

You can use GRANULAR Sweet PDZ in poop board to scoop and that will go a very long way to keeping the coop clean.

Anything organic in the run that will break down with the poop load is a good choice.

@U_Stormcrow is in FL and can offer good advice for run litter available there.

Are you referring to the Horse Stall Refresher?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I use Deep Litter - collected from my surrounding forest. Mostly Oaks, some hickory, ok mostly youpon holly, then oaks, hickory, a local Yew-like species, a few others. Some pine, but not huge amounts.

I tried pea gravel by my water sources, but the duck and chicken shit packed hard into it, you couldn't wash it out, it was like concrete during dry spells, and srtank like an open sewer the rest of the time. 0/10 do not recommend. Thankfully, only put down about 2 cu ft - was still a good half day of sweat to remove it.

I grew up in Daytona, later moved to Tampa - you will have similar leaves available in the scrub oak and live oak, maples, dogwoods, but of course lots more pine than I. Pine has a tendency to mat, so I don't recommend using pine straw. Same with palmetto. SOME is fine. As the majority source, its not.

 

[FredHill]

I use Deep Litter - collected from my surrounding forest. Mostly Oaks, some hickory, ok mostly youpon holly, then oaks, hickory, a local Yew-like species, a few others. Some pine, but not huge amounts.

I tried pea gravel by my water sources, but the duck and chicken shit packed hard into it, you couldn't wash it out, it was like concrete during dry spells, and srtank like an open sewer the rest of the time. 0/10 do not recommend. Thankfully, only put down about 2 cu ft - was still a good half day of sweat to remove it.

I grew up in Daytona, later moved to Tampa - you will have similar leaves available in the scrub oak and live oak, maples, dogwoods, but of course lots more pine than I. Pine has a tendency to mat, so I don't recommend using pine straw. Same with palmetto. SOME is fine. As the majority source, its not.

Thank you! I'm about 25mi south of daytona, nsb

 

[Brooks_]

Is this for the coop or run?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thank you! I'm about 25mi south of daytona, nsb

Family there. and Holly Hill, Port Orange, S Daytona, Ormond (but not ObtS), etc. Basically, all over the county. Don't get to visit enough.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Is this for the coop or run?

Contemplating Gravel, I imagine its for the run.