Deep litter method

[Joeschooks]

Anyone else have this problem? Deep litter around the edges and nothing in the middle

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's not deep enough, but chickens do scratch stuff out to the edges even when it is.

 

[Joeschooks]

Yeah it’s only the first layer but I’ve only just converted to deep litter. I’ve started with a 3” layer. I’m actually using the deep edge litter method at the moment
I’ve got poop boards to catch the night time poo so the litter is staying so clean I think it’ll be in there years before I actually need to change it

 

[rosemarythyme]

My chickens work in reverse. Edges get hollowed out, everything piles in the middle.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

My coop looks like a half pipe after I throw them mealworms.

 

[lazy gardener]

If you want true composting DL, IMO, bypass the shavings in favor of more varied and natural yard debris: aged wood chips, leaves, grass clippings, garden debris, weeds. IME, using shavings was not at all beneficial to DLM. I would also forgo the dropping board. The poo needs to be in the litter to give the microbes something to eat.

 

[dfalco]

For my 2¢ worth, I started with about 12"-14" of pine shavings and hay in my coop. That was over a year ago. I've added about a square bale of hay since. I have a small rake I use to turn over the surface. In all that time, I've only needed to rake it maybe 10 times. I've never removed any of the hay or shavings. The odor is very minimal. I have 8 chickens that free range during the day and only coop up at night, or when they are laying. My coop is about 5x8. I'm not sure this is what is referred to as the deep litter method, maybe so. But I can tell you it works GREAT!
Now, outside the coop, in the pen, I started with hay, about 18" deep or so. I've added hay 4 times. It drains well, is low maintenance, and again, odor is minimal. On a few occasions I need to keep my hens fastened up in the pen. They never scratch to bare dirt. The pen isn't mucky at all. I don't have to rake it because the hens keep it scratched around.