I've combed the forums for info on deep litter method with a coop that doesn't have contact with the soil, but I still have a few questions. My coop is a 4x8 raised shed style that houses 11 chickens. We've been turning the bedding daily and addng new straw and pine shavings a few times a week for 5 months.
One problem is moisture control. The water nippes leak, creating an incredibly deep wet spot we have to dig out or turn into the rest of the dry bedding. This causes an amonia smell we can subside with Sweet PDZ. But I wonder if it's helping or hindering the composting process.
My goal is to compost as much as possible in the coop, can't be much different from tumbler methods, but so far I'm not seeing a change in the bedding. I'll post pics. My thought is it's not deep enough, but I only have about a 2 feet before we hit the height of the nesting boxes. should I add soil and worms to the coop floor? Or maybe I just pull it out every 6 months and add it to a partially open compost pile by the coop.
Has anyone had success with this set up?
I have three 55 gallon barrells, if this composting method doesn't work, I was thinking of just toss the bedding in one of them and burn the bedding every 6 months....
One problem is moisture control. The water nippes leak, creating an incredibly deep wet spot we have to dig out or turn into the rest of the dry bedding. This causes an amonia smell we can subside with Sweet PDZ. But I wonder if it's helping or hindering the composting process.
My goal is to compost as much as possible in the coop, can't be much different from tumbler methods, but so far I'm not seeing a change in the bedding. I'll post pics. My thought is it's not deep enough, but I only have about a 2 feet before we hit the height of the nesting boxes. should I add soil and worms to the coop floor? Or maybe I just pull it out every 6 months and add it to a partially open compost pile by the coop.
Has anyone had success with this set up?
I have three 55 gallon barrells, if this composting method doesn't work, I was thinking of just toss the bedding in one of them and burn the bedding every 6 months....
