Deep litter method okay in humid hot climate?

[Emle6]

Hellow! I've just joined and am a new mama to some adorable little chicks! I think they are about 2-3 weeks old. Miss. B, Shorty, Red, Gloria, Whitney and Belle (I had to share their names) are not yet in their coop as it is still being built (pictures to follow!! Cant wait for it to be done) but I have been reading a lot about the "deep litter method". I live in south florida so it gets pretty hot and humid especially during the summer months and even into the fall months. I'm wondering if the deep litter method would be the best method for me to use or is there another method that would work better? I'm interested to hear what you all think especially any of you who live in south fl.

 

[-BirdWhisperer-]

As long as it stays dry and is turned regularly..I don't see any problems with deep litter method in FL. I used to live in homestead, FL.

 

[EggWalrus]

It works pretty good in the panhandle where it is much more humid and is just as hot. If it does get wet and you're worried about it, just turn it over every day till it drys back out. The birds love kicking and scratching around in it. With the way chickens kick it around, you might not have to turn it, they will turn it if it gets wet.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I love it, don't live in FL but climate wise HI is very comparable Hot & humid, oh yea wet at times too.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

The main thing is how well it drains. If it is positioned where water stands you are probably going to have issues no matter what you use until you fix that drainage problem. We are all unique in our set-up, management techniques, and many other things. Sometimes we have to use trial and error to find out what works for us. Starting with the DLM sounds great to me. Hopefully it is your final solution.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x on the drainage
Chicken House on high ground but with Hurricane Lane last month, the ground was soaked which wicked getting the shavings wet. Removed soaked shavings, replacing with dry, mixed it around (damp), removed more soaked shavings, adding more & PRAYED for the SUN. In the past the flooding wasn't so bad, I'd lay the soaked shavings out on a tarp in the patio & dried it out, reusing. However Lane had our patio was under water
It's been 2wks since Lane, finally dried out but now we have Tropical Storm Olivia

 

[EggWalrus]

2x on the drainage
Chicken House on high ground but with Hurricane Lane last month, the ground was soaked which wicked getting the shavings wet. Removed soaked shavings, replacing with dry, mixed it around (damp), removed more soaked shavings, adding more & PRAYED for the SUN. In the past the flooding wasn't so bad, I'd lay the soaked shavings out on a tarp in the patio & dried it out, reusing. However Lane had our patio was under water
It's been 2wks since Lane, finally dried out but now we have Tropical Storm Olivia

I know the feeling.
90% of the year, DLM works. But every now and then, Mother Nature throws a little extra work our way. It's still the best method for me, if I may opine. Will it work for everyone's unique environment? There ain't no dang telling!

 

[EggWalrus]

Something else to think about. Never start building a chicken pen/coop till after a good storm. Look at the lay of the land and look for any puddles. Build on high and dry ground. You wouldn't build a house for you to live in in a low spot or hole to get flooded out, why would you put the birds that provide your sustenance in a flood/wet zone? Always locate your birds on higher ground or build it up and make sure it drain well before building. You'll thank yourself later, and the birds will thank you everyday by staying healthier.

 

[Hope Hughes]

Yes, it will work just fine. I live in the armpit and i use it in all my runs. Throw some scratch in the run everyother day or 3 days (I do a little everyday) and they scratch and turn it all up for me. I was born and raised in the keys and I must say being in north fl now, On most days it's about 10% more humid here then in the keys/homestead(obviously it depends on location and how wet, our area is wet here so high humidity)

 

[Emle6]

2x on the drainage
Chicken House on high ground but with Hurricane Lane last month, the ground was soaked which wicked getting the shavings wet. Removed soaked shavings, replacing with dry, mixed it around (damp), removed more soaked shavings, adding more & PRAYED for the SUN. In the past the flooding wasn't so bad, I'd lay the soaked shavings out on a tarp in the patio & dried it out, reusing. However Lane had our patio was under water
It's been 2wks since Lane, finally dried out but now we have Tropical Storm Olivia

Sorry to hear about you having so much bad weather! Sounds like a good idea though!