deep litter issue..possibly..

[mike48851]

Hey,

So, my chickens are just about 10 weeks now. This is my first flock. I built my coop myself and I have been pretty happy with how it turned out. It's nothing fancy, but offers everything the chickens need. I have 5 hens (2 RIR, 2 ISA Browns, and a leghorn) and the coop is 5'x4', including nest box area. I have been wanting to do the deep litter method. However, the bigger these birds are getting, the more worried I am that I did not make my coop ceiling tall enough. It is going to be a complete pain to raise the roof, but I have a feeling it is going to have to be done. It is a sloped roof. From the floor to the celing, at the highest point is 38", and the smallest area is about 24".

now, without the deep litter method, I am worried its not tall enough...And adding anywhere from 4-12" of litter to the floor is taking away even more head space.

So, opinions encouraged. Should I bite the bullet and raise the roof or will it be fine how it is? Should I not do the deep litter? (it doesn't matter to me, cleaning out the coop is no big deal, but I have read that deep litter done correctly is healthy and warm here in Michigan for the chickens)

Thank you

 

[PirateGirl]

You could do deep litter in the run and skip it in the coop, so every time you clean the coop you throw the soiled bedding into the run.

 

[mike48851]

You could do deep litter in the run and skip it in the coop, so every time you clean the coop you throw the soiled bedding into the run.

Great idea! Thank you
I have a feeling I’m going to end up raising the roof. I think it needs to be done regardless. Then again, I look at these pre made coops you can buy and they are tiny compared to mine and supposedly hold double the chickens!!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Just ignore those prefab coops. The numbers are absurd. Ask anybody here!

 

[mike48851]

Just ignore those prefab coops. The numbers are absurd. Ask anybody here!

Agreed!!! There’s no way!

 

[BullChick]

Great idea! Thank you
I have a feeling I’m going to end up raising the roof. I think it needs to be done regardless. Then again, I look at these pre made coops you can buy and they are tiny compared to mine and supposedly hold double the chickens!!

Oh, no. Don’t go by the prefab coop standards. Please!
I see what you’re saying about raising the roof. The sooner you can get to it, the better. However, it’s not really a “right now” concern. I don’t think I’ve ever had a foot of bedding in my coop. That is, unless you count the fact that I overdid it a few weeks ago with the straw. But that’s all fluffed up.
It should take a year to get deep enough to worry about headspace.
You can also just remove some if it’s too deep, too soon.

Winter is the best time to have dl. It helps keep them warm.

 

[mike48851]

Oh, no. Don’t go by the prefab coop standards. Please!
I see what you’re saying about raising the roof. The sooner you can get to it, the better. However, it’s not really a “right now” concern. I don’t think I’ve ever had a foot of bedding in my coop. That is, unless you count the fact that I overdid it a few weeks ago with the straw. But that’s all fluffed up.
It should take a year to get deep enough to worry about headspace.
You can also just remove some if it’s too deep, too soon.

Winter is the best time to have dl. It helps keep them warm.

Yeah, pre fab coops are a joke. Would you think the height specs I have right now are adequate? Like I said, if they will be ok, I’d rather not raise the roof because it is not going to be simple. If I have to, I have to. It can be done. It’s just that I chose to take these birds and care for them. I at least want them content lol

 

[trumpeting_angel]

It will be snug, whether you raise the roof or not. Make sure you read all about ventilation- that’s crucial. If it were mine, I might add an addition instead, perhaps a tall one! In Michigan, they will need to be inside a lot in the winter, and there’s no extra room in your coop.

Good luck! Sounds like you want the best for these girls!

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Hey,

So, my chickens are just about 10 weeks now. This is my first flock. I built my coop myself and I have been pretty happy with how it turned out. It's nothing fancy, but offers everything the chickens need. I have 5 hens (2 RIR, 2 ISA Browns, and a leghorn) and the coop is 5'x4', including nest box area. I have been wanting to do the deep litter method. However, the bigger these birds are getting, the more worried I am that I did not make my coop ceiling tall enough. It is going to be a complete pain to raise the roof, but I have a feeling it is going to have to be done. It is a sloped roof. From the floor to the celing, at the highest point is 38", and the smallest area is about 24".

now, without the deep litter method, I am worried its not tall enough...And adding anywhere from 4-12" of litter to the floor is taking away even more head space.

So, opinions encouraged. Should I bite the bullet and raise the roof or will it be fine how it is? Should I not do the deep litter? (it doesn't matter to me, cleaning out the coop is no big deal, but I have read that deep litter done correctly is healthy and warm here in Michigan for the chickens)

Thank you

Hi, welcome from a michiganer! I just put enough bedding to keep the poo from getting to the linoleum. I clean mine maybe every 2-3 days depending how much they poop. Sand is also a great coop floor idea. Good luck!

 

[mike48851]

It will be snug, whether you raise the roof or not. Make sure you read all about ventilation- that’s crucial. If it were mine, I might add an addition instead, perhaps a tall one! In Michigan, they will need to be inside a lot in the winter, and there’s no extra room in your coop.

Good luck! Sounds like you want the best for these girls!

That’s an even better idea. I built this coop thinking it was plenty big enough. And now I’m looking at these chickens thinking it’s not. They free range all day for the most part and basically only sleep in the coop. But, like you said, come winter time, they will be spending a lot of time in there.

Thank you