Deep composting

[metarachel]

Thanks for the information. They have recently started looked for gravel and grit so I added some to this area with scratch
Good gracious they went crazy for it. I guess spring fever is everywhere, even the barnyard.

I hang two free-choice bowls in my girls' attached run: one for oyster shells, and one for grit. I do also like to scatter grit so they can engage in their natural scratching behaviors (although with deep litter, they hunt and peck and scratch all day whether I put things out there or not), but I like the bowls because that way I know for certain, at a quick glance, that they have enough. I got cheap, stainless steel bowls that mount on the hardware cloth with two screws--easy to use, easy to clean.

 

[LoribelleF]

I hang two free-choice bowls in my girls' attached run: one for oyster shells, and one for grit. I do also like to scatter grit so they can engage in their natural scratching behaviors (although with deep litter, they hunt and peck and scratch all day whether I put things out there or not), but I like the bowls because that way I know for certain, at a quick glance, that they have enough. I got cheap, stainless steel bowls that mount on the hardware cloth with two screws--easy to use, easy to clean.

Thank you. That is very helpful

 

[Kellow1]

Make sure you are not using hay as it molds very quickly, and that you don't have a leak in the coop for moisture to get in, and last but not least is there good ventilation in your coop. I removed all my straw and started using construction-grade sand which I can scoop once or twice a week, so NO smell!

 

[LoribelleF]

Make sure you are not using hay as it molds very quickly, and that you don't have a leak in the coop for moisture to get in, and last but not least is there good ventilation in your coop. I removed all my straw and started using construction-grade sand which I can scoop once or twice a week, so NO smell!

I use pine shavings for bedding and sweet pdq underneath to help with the smell. During the summer and late spring I get no smell since I can leave all of the window vents opens