Deep Litter | Am I doing it right...?

[RottenFlower]

So a trash bin would work? Do I have to stir it or add kitchen leavings to it or anything?

 

[Bethel3330]

It definitely will work, just is a little tough to mix, which you should do periodically. Yes, definitely add kitchen scraps (no meat or dairy) and moisture also. Moist but not soggy. If it gets too wet and gets stinky, add dry leaves or the like and stir. Believe me, it will break down and the result will amaze you.
We are building a pile straight on the ground, because earthworms will come up underneath and help aerate and breakdown material as well.
I liked my tumbler because it did get hotter and work faster but it was just too difficult to work with.

 

[Bethel3330]

Btw, I like the way you've repurposed old materials for your chickens this is our first flock as well. I have 18-week-olds down to 6-week-olds,plus an adult roo.

 

[mamabear72]

We too converted a Little Tykes playhouse for our girls and decided to try the deep litter method. For Some reason nothings breaking down. I rake it daily and add straw and shavings but it seems to just be a big mix of lots of poop and straw. We live in the High Desert w/ almost no moisture so I'm wondering if that has something to do with it. I also have to mention that daily I spritz a mist of an essential oil blend of lavender and citrus after I rake it. Its been a couple month since we started trying this method, maybe I haven't given it enough time?

 

[EastTXChickens]

Here's some composting tips. Skip the step of killing off grass at a compost site.

We compost by throwing materials in a pile unsupported by sides or top. It takes longer, but works.

http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/composting-the-easy-way/index.html

 

[EastTXChickens]

http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/composting-the-easy-way/index.html


Here's the link (I hope).

 

[iawoodchip]

Here's my game plan. 7 pullets in a 4'x8' coop & about 150' run, but they get to free range a lot. Deep litter in the coop. Everything gets scraped down, & mixed into the litter each morning. I might even wait until spring to clean out the coop and replace shavings if I don't run into a moisture or odor problem. I have a part plastic barrel, about 12' high in the run. no top or bottom. Kitchen scraps, including meat scraps get thrown in the yard daily. The next day it gets raked up& put in the part barrel, & stirred daily. When the barrel gets full I put the matter on a larger open compost pile.: Jim