Deep litter method…did I screw up?

[M_Struna]

I have been doing, what I thought was, the deep litter method. I thought I’d researched thoroughly but I read today that the litter is not supposed to be turned over and doing that could be harmful to the chickens. It said to just add a small amount of litter weekly…no turning over. I thought it needed aerated? I’m so confused. The few articles I read said to turn the substrate over and periodically add a fresh layer of litter, so I have been doing just that. Is there a source somewhere that explains the proper way to do this? I’m doing this in a covered run with hemp bedding.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Usually the chickens will turn it. I throw scratch down, and the birds work it daily. Occasionally they start digging dust baths holes.

 

[rosemarythyme]

There isn't a single "proper" way. I don't see why turning it over would be an issue. But aeration should be provided via the chickens digging around and a mix of materials such as coarse wood chips, which allows water to drain and air to penetrate into the litter so you don't get an anaerobic composting situation which is smelly.

 

[M_Struna]

Well, that’s what I thought. The run is covered and I have clear tarps to prevent rain/snow from getting in. Occasionally when the wind comes in from the SE I’ll get some mild moisture. I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing. There’s barely any odor and the run is clean.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Well, that’s what I thought. The run is covered and I have clear tarps to prevent rain/snow from getting in. Occasionally when the wind comes in from the SE I’ll get some mild moisture. I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing. There’s barely any odor and the run is clean.

Deep litter actually does need moisture for composting. Certainly you don't want it soaked and you do want it surface dry, but the poop won't actually compost without the addition of some moisture, though that can be added later (and elsewhere, like a dedicated compost pile) if you want to keep conditions in the run drier.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I have been doing, what I thought was, the deep litter method. I thought I’d researched thoroughly but I read today that the litter is not supposed to be turned over and doing that could be harmful to the chickens. It said to just add a small amount of litter weekly…no turning over. I thought it needed aerated? I’m so confused. The few articles I read said to turn the substrate over and periodically add a fresh layer of litter, so I have been doing just that. Is there a source somewhere that explains the proper way to do this? I’m doing this in a covered run with hemp bedding.

I’m curious (nosey, lol) - where did you read the advice not to periodically turn over the litter? And especially that this could harm the chickens? The first part sounds AI-ish, but the second is just baffling. How on earth… ?

 

[M_Struna]

I honestly don’t remember, but everything I have seen since states the opposite…that it needs to be turned for the oxygen. So I’ve continued to keep doing what I’ve been doing.

 

[kattabelly]

I’m curious (nosey, lol) - where did you read the advice not to periodically turn over the litter? And especially that this could harm the chickens? The first part sounds AI-ish, but the second is just baffling. How on earth… ?

The only thing I can think of is that certain types of litter, under certain conditions, could be a good environment for mould and other pathogens.

(Horticultural training is full of all kinds of dire warnings about never going near a compost heap without full PPE because of the risk of things like farmer's lung and actinomycosis)

 

[Sally PB]

I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing. There’s barely any odor and the run is clean.

That sounds like you're doing something right!

I've found that not much composting happens in my run in the winter, as it's just too cold. I don't want much moisture, as it'll just freeze. In the spring/summer/fall, if it seems too dry, I'll dump out the chickens' water bowl in the run when I lock up at night.