Deep Litter Method and Poop Trays

[AUChick9202]

OK...I have been reading old postings all afternoon, but I still find that I have a few questions....I have a smaller coop...4x4 for four birds. It is the "barn-like" style with the center section being taller and then lower on both sides. The roosting bar is along the center in the middle taller section. I was wanting to use the DLM, but I keep hearing about how easy the poop trays make the clean-up and would love to have them. I just can't think of how I can set them up in my coop. The door is also in the center, so if I put the tray on the floor it would be right in front of the door. I am not sure that I have room for a shelf under the roost. I thought about moving the roost to the side, but it wouldn't be that high off the floor. Any ideas for roosting/poop trays for my style coop? Also, and more importantly....do I really need them if I am using the DLM??

 

[AUChick9202]

Anyone?? If this has been discussed before, maybe someone could post a link....Thanks!

 

[Chickmate]

I have the same questions AUChick. My coop is larger at 10 x 14 and my roosts are on the sides, but I have also wondered about poop pans and the DLM. I am not using pans right now and the poop does build up in the sawdust. I go in and rake the sawdust around every day, but still. . . It is now about 6 inches deep. If I keep adding sawdust to keep the amount of poop down it will be up to the window sills by winter! I'm thinking if I don't use pans I'll have to clean the sawdust out more often than if I do use them, but I don't have shelves to put them on, would have to lay them on the floor. Doesn't sound like it would work to well. Anyone who uses poop pans like to give some advice?

 

[elmo]

You don't have to have poop boards or trays if you use the DLM, but it certainly helps with manure management. You won't have to add fresh bedding as often, and there will be less poo to remove when you do your deep cleanings.

Could you post a picture of your coop setup? Maybe we could help you brainstorm how to do this better if we could see actually what your limitations are. A lot depends on the vertical space you have to work with, too.

Personally, I love...no, let me correct that...adore my poop trays. I absolutely would not do without them. A five minute job each morning keeps our coop clean and fresh smelling throughout the year, and there's no huge spring cleaning job for me to dread.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
Why not just pick up a couple of shelf supports for the pans? Adding a shelf for poop trays is easy. It's hard to see in this picture, but I've also fastened a couple of small boards on the back wall just above the level of the pans as a sort of lip to keep the trays from tipping when a chicken perches on them on the way up to the roost.

 

[patandchickens]

Sorry, I must need more caffeine, I am totally not envisioning the setup you've got, any chance of posting photos or a sketch or pic of similar coop or something?

Pat

 

[AUChick9202]

Thanks for the replies!

Here is the outside of the coop....it is 4x4 and the center section stands about 4 feet tall....I am at work, but I would guess that the side sections are only about 3 ft tall. Our babies are only 4 weeks old, so have not moved in yet. I am just trying to get a plan ready before they do. My husband is building an attached run and the coop will be elevated off the ground @ 30 inches.

Here is the inside with the nesting boxes removed. The roost runs the center of the middle section and the door is to the right in the center. My husband is also going to cut me a "clean out door" on the left side

 

[Chickmate]

AUChick - What about a poop "hammock" that I saw someone mention on another thread? It would be tied on both ends and hang under the roost, not laying on the floor? That might work for you.

I think I could put up shelf brackets, but where do you find the poop pans? elmo, your look nice, where did you get them?

 

[AussieAcres]

Without putting too much though into it you could try something simple like a board maybe a 1/2" X 6" that is just under the length of the roosting bar, attach a couple sturdy coat hangers to either end and install small hooks (like key ring hooks) to the underside of the roosting bar. Would be easy enough to hang in place and remove. Should allow room for them to get up to the roost, although they may flip and sing the board a bit getting up there. Will try and brainstorm some...

 

[msshepherdess]

We're building a new coop and I'm thinking about the DLM. Where do you get these poop trays?