Deep Litter and wood coop floors

[momof8]

Can you use the deep litter method with a coop with wood floors? Also, do you use the same method in the nesting area (this is where most of the poop is) There are so many posts to read through on this subject. Are wood shavings sufficient to use? We have 7 birds, would that change anything? Our coop is 4X8 and then they have a free range yard.

Thanks

 

[Rollingreen8420]

I use about a 3-4 in. layer of pine wood shavings in my coop. the floor is made of 3/4 in. treated ply wood, and when i clean out i sweep it also and get everything out of the the corners and the wood will look good as new. my laying box was build as one long box with dividers that can be removed for better cleaning although i like hay in the laying box better than the pine shaving either to me works fine.
and a plus to the pine shavings is it gives the coop a nice clean smell.

 

[Judy]

There really isn't a single deep litter method. Lots of people use pine shavings on wood floors. Every coop is different. I believe originally it was used on dirt floors, with litter being stirred or added to when odors were evident, with perhaps an annual cleanout. Litter was deep enough and left long enough that it composted in the coop. This probably isn't practical in your coop, though you may be able to go a lot longer than a week between cleanings with deeper litter and perhaps stirring it from time to time. Use of a poop board may cut down on cleanings as well. Adding things like ag lime or Stall-Dri to the litter helps, too. In the end, it's a matter of what works best for you.