Deep Litter method in barn on concrete floor? Yes? No?

[ChickyLoo]

Quote:
Mac your posts are always so helpful, the article was very detailed & informative. Thank you so much! I was unclear on how much ag lime to use & how crucial it is to DLM, the artice explains it very well.

 

[ChickyLoo]

I don't know if I can tell the difference between ammonia smell with chickens and just "earthy" chicken smell. To me this is still rather stinky and I have 6" of litter put down lime etc.....is my nose too sensitive?

 

[EggyErin]

I use DLM and first thing in the morning when I open the coop there's often some pew. It goes away once the chicken door is opened and everybody heads out. If they poop a lot during the night, it just stinks! It's not an ammonia long-lasting stink though.

 

[ChickyLoo]

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I do notice it's worse when the barn door is closed, I guess more ventilation is needed

I notice that even when I pick up one of the chix it's the same sorta smell. Msybe it's the. Earthy scent I read about?

 

[saltykins]

I remember reading on the forum that the deep litter method wouldn't work as well on concrete than if it were on dirt due to the lack of microorganisms on the concrete that help to break down the materials, however I was discussing chickens with my lab TA and he mentioned something called EM (Effective Microorganisms) that he used for his deep litter. He sprayed it over the little once a week, iirc. Might be pricey to purchase the first mixture but the population can be grown with a fuel source like molasses. Reported great results. I haven't put aside the time to research it more, but that might be something worth looking into?

 

[bantamboy]

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what does the DE stand for

 

[EggyErin]

Diatamaceous Earth

 

[Beekissed]

When you start to smell the ammonia smell, it's time to add new, dry shavings and let the gals mix it in for you. I throw down a couple of handsful of BOSS where it needs to be mixed the most and let the chickens do the work. The problem with hay or straw, I have found, is that it gets too wet and heavy to move when the litter is deep and forms a moist "cap" that will grow mold.