Coop run ground cover

[DreamsInPink]

Basically the deep litter method is a big compost pile that is aerated and turned via chickens. I've got a least an acre to mow and roughly 3 acres of woods (for leaves to add to the mix), so this method seemed ideal to me. Plus, I'll be using deep bedding in the coop and during the yearly/twice yearly cleanout, I can just toss it out into the run as well.

I'm a bit excited about it as we have a heavy clay soil here, so I've been using raised beds to garden. Next year I expect I'll have a significant amout of nice fertile compost to till into the clay, which will let me expand.

If you do this in the run, won't the compost just decompose into the ground beneath the run? To actually have compost for your gardens, you'd have to dig it up and move it, right? Or am I missing something? lol xD

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

It would be soft and I think it would make the ground richer but u could still take out the stuff then for your garden I don't think it would harden together to have to dig it up then

 

[aart]

Quote: I believe some folks do remove 'compost' from the chicken run and put it on their gardens...
...not much different from moving from the compost 'pile' to the garden<shrugs>

 

[Jensownzoo]

If you do this in the run, won't the compost just decompose into the ground beneath the run?  To actually have compost for your gardens, you'd have to dig it up and move it, right?  Or am I missing something? lol xD

I'll be adding leaves and grass clipping throughout. When it gets built up high enough to start spilling out of the mesh on the side walls, I'll scoop it into a wheel barrow, take it to the garden, and till it in! A good time to do this would be just beforbI clean out the coop, but it just depends on how fast it builds up.

 

[DreamsInPink]

I believe some folks do remove 'compost' from the chicken run and put it on their gardens...
...not much different from moving from the compost 'pile' to the garden<shrugs>

I wouldn't really consider it the same thing if you have to dig up the chicken run to get to the compost underneath. Idk. I must be missing something. Unless you are doing it RonP's way, and just getting the composted stuff from the very edges of the run.

 

[DreamsInPink]

I'll be adding leaves and grass clipping throughout. When it gets built up high enough to start spilling out of the mesh on the side walls, I'll scoop it into a wheel barrow, take it to the garden, and till it in! A good time to do this would be just beforbI clean out the coop, but it just depends on how fast it builds up.

But it won't spill over the top.. it'll spill out underneath... which is what I mentioned in my above post. But what about ALL that compost in the center of the run.... Idk. Maybe I'm missing a vital element of how it's done... because I've never done it. lol

 

[Jensownzoo]

But it won't spill over the top.. it'll spill out underneath... which is what I mentioned in my above post.  But what about ALL that compost in the center of the run....   Idk.  Maybe I'm missing a vital element of how it's done...  because I've never done it. lol 

Maybe it depends on how your run is constructed? Mine will have a board along the ground, mesh apron outside of the run to discourage digging predators, mesh walls supported by upright elements (haven't decided yet whether to do the hoop-style run or modular panel). So, starting with bare earth, I'll pile up leaves and such to about the level of the top of the board. The chickens will scratch it around, poop in it, and help break it down which will shrink and compact it to a lower level. I will then continue adding more material to the run (used bedding, etc.) which will undergo the same process. Eventually, however, the deep litter will build up to the point where even compacted, the level will be over the tops of the boards at the base and the material will start to "ooze" out the openings in the mesh. At that point, I'll walk in with my shovel and wheel barrow, scoop the finished compost out of the run back down to the starting level of the bottom of the base boards, and we'll start all over.

 

[DreamsInPink]

Yes, maybe, but what you have described is exactly what I'm thinking of doing with mine... as far as construction.

I thought the whole idea was you never had to start over. You have a constant, ongoing, ever composting pile in your chicken run...? I don't know.. there's just... tooo much to think about.

I am going to be insane by the time I'm done with my coop and run.

 

[Jensownzoo]

I thought the whole idea was you never had to start over.  You have a constant, ongoing, ever composting pile in your chicken run...?

Just build the walls tall then you can just let it build up and up and up...

 

[Mini Meat]

Yes, maybe, but what you have described is exactly what I'm thinking of doing with mine... as far as construction.

I thought the whole idea was you never had to start over. You have a constant, ongoing, ever composting pile in your chicken run...? I don't know.. there's just... tooo much to think about.

I am going to be insane by the time I'm done with my coop and run.

The main point of the deep littler system is to create a healthy eco-system of bacteria. This will help your chickens stay healthy as well. If you garden, take some, just don't take it all. If you don't garden and it builds up to high for you liking I think just about any gardener you know will be happy to come clean it out and haul it away for you.