Deep litter method

[armorfirelady]

I put down a bale of hay in their coop today and it was warmed up nicely from the southern sun. The sun actually was out bright today. The girls ventured out to go between their different areas. We had those below zero temps the last couple nights so I wanted to make sure they had some hay to help keep them warmer.

The temp in the coop seemed warmer to me than the outside temp. The white tarp keeps it very bright in there as does the window. I need to get a different tarp for next year. Its not holding up as well as it needs to. I am going to buy an used billboard for the tarp. I know of others who have used them and said they are pretty indestructible. I am going to get the biggest I can & just cut it to size. And this time the whole south end will be clear plastic so even more light can get in. In the summer its shaded by trees.

 

[joan1708]

I put cardboard over the roost bar. I taped it down with black electrical tape. I think it gives the girls a degree of comfort. They haven't picked at it yet.

A couple months ago I started using shredded junk mail and shredded cardboard boxes (like cereal boxes) for litter.. I think it works pretty well and only costs me the time and electricity it takes to shred the paper and boxes. I also think there's less dust this way. So far, I'm happy with it.

 

[armorfirelady]

A couple months ago I started using shredded junk mail and shredded cardboard boxes (like cereal boxes) for litter.. I think it works pretty well and only costs me the time and electricity it takes to shred the paper and boxes. I also think there's less dust this way. So far, I'm happy with it.

And when they are cooped up they have something to read to pass the time

 

[Beekissed]

I put cardboard over the roost bar. I taped it down with black electrical tape. I think it gives the girls a degree of comfort. They haven't picked at it yet.

A couple months ago I started using shredded junk mail and shredded cardboard boxes (like cereal boxes) for litter.. I think it works pretty well and only costs me the time and electricity it takes to shred the paper and boxes. I also think there's less dust this way. So far, I'm happy with it.

Summer time will be the true test of that litter. I've used shredded paper before and it tends to glom together when moist and then mold. Let us know how it does come warm weather?

 

[JT_KROL]

Can you use this method with a small coop say large enough for 6 full size birds max?

I ask because I am hoping to get started in May...I am buying 17 week old pullets and will probably start with 4 or 5.

I have not decided weather to buy or build my coop...on the prefab coops most have "pull out trays", can you use the Deep Litter Method with a pull out tray?

Also can you do the same thing in the run? I'm thinking compost for the misses garden.

Thanks
Joe

 

[MagicChicken]

I put cardboard over the roost bar. I taped it down with black electrical tape. I think it gives the girls a degree of comfort. They haven't picked at it yet.

A couple months ago I started using shredded junk mail and shredded cardboard boxes (like cereal boxes) for litter.. I think it works pretty well and only costs me the time and electricity it takes to shred the paper and boxes. I also think there's less dust this way. So far, I'm happy with it.

I tried shredded office paper and junk mail for a while. It got all clumpy. When I finally put it in the compost pile, what didn't clump up wound up blowing all over the neighborhood. I'm back to pine shavings.

Also tried shredded paper in a nest box once when I ran out of shavings. Big mistake! It stuck to the eggs and was difficult to get off.

Everyone has different conditions and it might work fine at your place. Keep us posted!

 

[schnebbles]

Joe - I started using it in my 4x5 coop several months ago and so far I love it! I put a 2x4 up by the door to keep it in. It seems to stay clean smelling (except when I first open it in the morning). I have some sweet PDZ I sprinkle in on occasion. it's so much easier than the sand I had.

I don't have a pull out tray but I can't see why it wouldn't work, just wouldn't be so much poop in the litter. Someone else might have tips on that.

 

[armorfirelady]

Can you use this method with a small coop say large enough for 6 full size birds max?

I ask because I am hoping to get started in May...I am buying 17 week old pullets and will probably start with 4 or 5.

I have not decided weather to buy or build my coop...on the prefab coops most have "pull out trays", can you use the Deep Litter Method with a pull out tray?

Also can you do the same thing in the run?  I'm thinking compost for the misses garden.

Thanks
Joe

Welcome! I started with one of those coops with my first 4 hens. I quickly found out the picture online makes them look bigger than they really are

Anyways after a couple days with the pull out tray I finally just removed it and put a couple roosts staggered in its place. Then I used DL in the whole bottom of the coop, much easier to clean without the tray in there

 

[JT_KROL]

Thank you!!! I have heard others say the same thing about the size...Your advice helps a lot...I'm actually thinking of going the tractor route and rolling them around the back yard everyday. If I have 4 birds on a 4x8 run and leave them there for the day (say 11 hours) will that patch of grass be well aerated and mowed or gone completely?

 

[armorfirelady]

Thank you!!!  I have heard others say the same thing about the size...Your advice helps a lot...I'm actually thinking of going the tractor route and rolling them around the back yard everyday.  If I have 4 birds on a 4x8 run and leave them there for the day (say 11 hours) will that patch of grass be well aerated and mowed or gone completely?   

Depends on your birds and how much you feed them. If they need to scratch up area to find food they may do more clearing than if they just scratched around because they can