Deep litter method okay in humid hot climate?

[Emle6]

So it sounds like the DLM will work for me as long as I add bedding more frequently while turning of course. I will give it a shot. 8 will let you know how it turns out!! Thank you for all the advice and information. You all have given me some good points to think about. My coop is elevated off the ground about 2 feet or more. So hopefully rain and flooding won't be an issue. The run will be in a somewhat of a flooding area but that's usually only a problem after we get tons of rain like during a tropical storm or hurricane.

 

[EggWalrus]

So it sounds like the DLM will work for me as long as I add bedding more frequently while turning of course. I will give it a shot. 8 will let you know how it turns out!! Thank you for all the advice and information. You all have given me some good points to think about. My coop is elevated off the ground about 2 feet or more. So hopefully rain and flooding won't be an issue. The run will be in a somewhat of a flooding area but that's usually only a problem after we get tons of rain like during a tropical storm or hurricane.

Best of luck to you!

 

[BullChick]

Up north, I’ve tried everything in the coop (except sawdust). Deep litter is great imo. However, down in Florida, I would think sand is more popular. It’s like a giant litter box! Dust bathing everywhere, and eggs don’t usually break when they are laid off the roost!
Use hardware cloth zip tied to a pitchfork to quickly clean the poop. It’s great!
I just happened to be delivered 3 tons of wet sand that I couldn’t get to dry before the cold set in.

 

[EggWalrus]

Up north, I’ve tried everything in the coop (except sawdust). Deep litter is great imo. However, down in Florida, I would think sand is more popular. It’s like a giant litter box! Dust bathing everywhere, and eggs don’t usually break when they are laid off the roost!
Use hardware cloth zip tied to a pitchfork to quickly clean the poop. It’s great!
I just happened to be delivered 3 tons of wet sand that I couldn’t get to dry before the cold set in.

Spread a couple inches of sand (it'll dry quick), then put down some grass clippings, maybe some leaves, mulch or tree bark. And then repeat every month or two. Before you know it, the floor will stay dry, and start to become a good compost you can use after a year.

 

[SierraChickens]

I live in south florida, too.... what is the deep litter method?

 

[Ridgerunner]

The Deep Litter Method is where you turn your coop or run into a compost pile. You throw in different stuff like you would a compost pile, the chickens add their poop and turn it for you. That stuff can be garden wastes, kitchen scraps, grass clippings, bedding, anything you would put in a compost pile.

The secret to being successful is moisture. If it is too dry the microbes that break it down can't live and reproduce. If it is too wet the microbes that break it down are the anaerobic ones. These can cause it to stink and get really black and slimy. You want it damp enough that the aerobic microbes can live and reproduce but not so wet they can't breathe.

The method is fairly forgiving if it gets wet as long as it can drain. But sometimes when the weather sets in wet for an extended period of time it can have problems. It works great for a lot of people. Trial and error is probably the best way to find out how well it works for you.

 

[BullChick]

The Deep Litter Method is where you turn your coop or run into a compost pile. You throw in different stuff like you would a compost pile, the chickens add their poop and turn it for you. That stuff can be garden wastes, kitchen scraps, grass clippings, bedding, anything you would put in a compost pile.

The secret to being successful is moisture. If it is too dry the microbes that break it down can't live and reproduce. If it is too wet the microbes that break it down are the anaerobic ones. These can cause it to stink and get really black and slimy. You want it damp enough that the aerobic microbes can live and reproduce but not so wet they can't breathe.

The method is fairly forgiving if it gets wet as long as it can drain. But sometimes when the weather sets in wet for an extended period of time it can have problems. It works great for a lot of people. Trial and error is probably the best way to find out how well it works for you.

I can’t say I’m familiar with throwing scraps in it.
I’m familiar with starting with a few inches of bedding, and adding a few more inches as needed for a year before cleaning it all out. Even my ducks can’t get it too wet.

 

[EggWalrus]

I throw food scraps in there in the winter. I doubt any of it gets composted because the birds usually eat all of it.

 

[Aceoky]

Them eating it is composting it for ya!

 

[EggWalrus]

Them eating it is composting it for ya!