Deep Litter Method and Nematodes

[Boone Farm]

I started using the deep litter method in my small coop. It has pretty good ventilation and all seems to be fine. Last night I went to turn the litter and I noticed the litter was moving. Upon closer inspection there were hundreds of little worms (grub looking) within the lower layers of the litter.

It did look like it was composting very well but I wasn't sure if the grubby looking organisms were bad or good for my chickens.

One concern I have is that one of my chickens lays her eggs in the coop.

I have read articles about the importance of nematodes in DLM but I am not sure if this shorter/fatter grubby looking worm is good or bad.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[azygous]

The grubs are a bonus. Watch your chickens. If they go nuts gobbling them up, it's like a mini-lottery win. If the chickens turn up their beaks and walk away from the grubs (unlikely), they are not beneficial.

 

[Boone Farm]

The grubs are a bonus. Watch your chickens. If they go nuts gobbling them up, it's like a mini-lottery win. If the chickens turn up their beaks and walk away from the grubs (unlikely), they are not beneficial.

My chickens really dont spend any time in their coop besides laying and sleeping and the worm in question seems to stay well below the top layer of bedding so I am unsure if my chickens even really know they are there.

Do you think they could have a negative impact on the coop. Should I clean out my bedding and start new?

 

[azygous]

Part of the composting process is live organisms. Without them, there is no composting, which is the purpose behind employing the deep litter method. Just as you wouldn't want to empty your garden of worms and grubs in the substrate, neither should you try to get rid of them in your deep litter. Read about how valuable they are. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/composting-grubs-vs-worms-26622.html

I am sure your chickens will eventually discover this abundant treasure.

 

[Boone Farm]

Part of the composting process is live organisms. Without them, there is no composting, which is the purpose behind employing the deep litter method. Just as you wouldn't want to empty your garden of worms and grubs in the substrate, neither should you try to get rid of them in your deep litter. Read about how valuable they are. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/composting-grubs-vs-worms-26622.html

I am sure your chickens will eventually discover this abundant treasure.

Thank you so much! I just wanted to make sure these weren't types of bugs that would do harm to my ladies.

 

[Fox2112]

Did your chickens ever find them?