Deep Litter Method Ventilation Question

[ZANEYchickenguy]

Hello,
I am new to this and I really want to try out the deep litter method. The only problem I have is that I am not sure if I have enough ventilation in my coop. Does anybody know how much ventilation I need? I have a plywood floor that I will paint with rubber leak-free paint to block moisture. I am scared to have lots of ammonia in my coop due to ventilation. I only have one window that's probably 2 square feet. I also have lots of cracks on the walls wondering if that will help with the airflow.
Thanks,
ZANEYchicken guy

 

[Sally PB]

You want to have 1 square foot of ventilation per bird that is open 24/7, covered with hardware cloth. Since you probably have more than two birds (?), I'm thinking you need more. Cracks in between boards don't really provide enough to count, so plan to cut some openings. Up high is better; ammonia rises. Up high also keeps the ventilation above the chickens' heads so they don't have a draft blowing on them.

 

[Sally PB]

I am new to this and I really want to try out the deep litter method.

I didn't have time to write more earlier. Here are some other thoughts.

I have deep litter in my coop. It's pine shavings and hemp, and about 4-6 inches deep. The picture shows the inside, looking from one end to the other. The windows on the left don't open. There is another half round opening at the opposite end (behind/above me when I took this picture). It's oriented North-South; picture is facing south. I have 4 chickens, and the coop is 4x8.

You can see that the roost is quite low. I lowered it on purpose for the winter so that any drafts blowing through are well above the chickens' heads when they're roosting. The temp and humidity are essentially the same inside the coop as outside.

I scoop poop every day. Most of it is right under the roost, and it takes about 5 minutes. I never smell poop unless someone has just done a cecal poop. Then I know to watch where I step.

 

[drinkoj]

@aart Thoughts?

You need more ventilation, I would suggest in the upper part of the pitch. Putting two 12"x12" square opening would allow air flow ABOVE the roosting bars, so you don't have or at least minimize the draft underneath them.

Tip: You need some overhang from the roofing, otherwise the rain is going to come down the roof and splash on the side of the building and into that window. Leading to wood rot, mold, and/or moisture problems.

 

[aart]

Tip: You need some overhang from the roofing, otherwise the rain is going to come down the roof and splash on the side of the building and into that window. Leading to wood rot, mold, and/or moisture problems.

Ditto Dat!

I am scared to have lots of ammonia in my coop due to ventilation.

If deep litter has a balanced mixture of ingredients, it should not smell at all.
True deep litter, that composts in place, needs ground contact.

The terms 'deep litter' and 'deep bedding' are often misunderstood and misapplied.
I've always liked this explanation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-method-with-this-coop.1075545/#post-16440037

Oh, and...Welcome to BYC! @ZANEYchickenguy
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[3KillerBs]

If it were me, I'd open the entire gable triangle at each end for maximum ventilation -- though you would need to extend the roof to keep rain out.

Where are you located? That would help us give better-targeted advice.

Deep litter is a moist, composting system that does best with ground contact. Deep bedding is a dry system where you just keep adding more bedding on top until it gets inconveniently deep and you decide to clean it all out -- at which point you'll either put it into your run and let it compost there or build a compost pile with it.

 

[ZANEYchickenguy]

I didn't have time to write more earlier. Here are some other thoughts.

I have deep litter in my coop. It's pine shavings and hemp, and about 4-6 inches deep. The picture shows the inside, looking from one end to the other. The windows on the left don't open. There is another half round opening at the opposite end (behind/above me when I took this picture). It's oriented North-South; picture is facing south. I have 4 chickens, and the coop is 4x8.

You can see that the roost is quite low. I lowered it on purpose for the winter so that any drafts blowing through are well above the chickens' heads when they're roosting. The temp and humidity are essentially the same inside the coop as outside.

I scoop poop every day. Most of it is right under the roost, and it takes about 5 minutes. I never smell poop unless someone has just done a cecal poop. Then I know to watch where I step.

I love your idea and your coop, although don't chickens get cold if your window is always open 24/7? I live in Oklahoma so there are cold and hot days. I think I will copy your picture and cut the gable triangle and put hardware cloth on it. (will update when I finish)
THANK YOU SO MUCH

 

[ZANEYchickenguy]

If it were me, I'd open the entire gable triangle at each end for maximum ventilation -- though you would need to extend the roof to keep rain out.

Where are you located? That would help us give better-targeted advice.

Deep litter is a moist, composting system that does best with ground contact. Deep bedding is a dry system where you just keep adding more bedding on top until it gets inconveniently deep and you decide to clean it all out -- at which point you'll either put it into your run and let it compost there or build a compost pile with it.

Deep bedding doesn't smell, right? Also, I think I will do what you said and cut the triangle gable of the roof and put hardwire cloth on it. Do you think extending my roof metal sheets will do the trick with keep rain out of the 24/7 window if I cut the triangle thing on both sides as you suggested or do you have another idea?
THANK YOU

 

[U_Stormcrow]

 

[ZANEYchickenguy]

View attachment 2491067

Oh! so if it's too cold, you close the window but putting the glass on? If so what temperature do you put the glass on?