Deep Bedding Method: How often are you supposed to rake the wood chips?

[ryansacct22]

I have read conflicting information on this. Some people say simply add more wood shavings once a month, then rake them in together with the old wood shavings.

Others say that the deep bedding method requires you to rake the shavings daily.

Any opinions on this? Thank you!

 

[PioneerChicks]

I have heard about once per week. When you compost scraps you only sift them once per week. Deep Litter Method The Easiest Way To Deal With Chicken Litter Dlm

 

[aart]

When you compost scraps you only sift them once per week. Deep Litter Method The Easiest Way To Deal With Chicken Litter Dlm

Composting scraps is a whole other subject.
The linked article is a good example of how...
The terms 'deep litter' and 'deep bedding' are often misunderstood and misapplied.
I've always liked this explanation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-method-with-this-coop.1075545/#post-16440037

I have read conflicting information on this. Some people say simply add more wood shavings once a month, then rake them in together with the old wood shavings.
Others say that the deep bedding method requires you to rake the shavings daily.
Any opinions on this? Thank you!

There is no hard number for how often to stir the bedding.
Can depend on how big coop is and how many birds you have.
Kinda got to play it by eye..... and nose.

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.
-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 7 years.

 

[drinkoj]

I follow what @aart describes and turn the shavings every month or two, but I primarily make the chickens do it by throwing treats or crumbles from a flock block into the coop a few times a week so they scratch, dig, and toss the shavings around for me.

 

[3KillerBs]

I threw a handful of scratch into the bedding once or twice a week to encourage the chickens to stir it up.

Now and then I would use the pitchfork to break up a crusted area, but I never had to stir it myself as routine maintenance.

 

[aart]

I actually do move the shavings round.
I push them away from around the poop boards every morning to clean the boards.
Then rake them back to cover the floor.
They often kick them around baring the floor and piling other places,
so I use the hedge rake to redistribute the shavings so they cover the floor more evenly.
Shavings are only about 4" deep by the time I change them all out.