Deep litter method

[Arielle]

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.

I've not seen a white tarp. THat's awesome. What is billboard??

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.

Very interesting.

Quote: In my experience---

IMO this method takes a bit of management. Much depends on the quality and quantity of the grass. We stopped mowing and the free ranging birds keept he grass short for us. Birds can easily damage the roots and cause real damage that makes it hard for the plants to recover. IMO birds LOVE whole grains. Whole grains can be used to fill them up before letting them out on grass, and keep thier pellets supply filled. I find my birds will eat down the grass to nothing even if pellets are in front of them all the time. Grass tastes better than the pellets I guess.

 

[armorfirelady]

Arielle-"I found the white tarp online.
Billboard is old billboard signs that they sale for other uses.

 

[IAFarmGirl]

Beekissed suggested that I post this on here. She thought that several of you might be interested. I found this hand hay/leaf baler the other day and thought I would try it out this year. It is the instructions to build a hand hay/leaf baler. I know I have plenty of leaves around here that it shouldn't take too much work to get them gathered up and this would also work with lawn clippings if properly dried before baling.

Here is the link: http://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2007/09/hay-baling.html

I hope some of you will find this information useful!

 

[Beekissed]

Very handy gadget that looks pretty easy to construct and could really make storing bedding a lot easier and neater for us folks who gather our own bedding.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Beekissed suggested that I post this on here. She thought that several of you might be interested. I found this hand hay/leaf baler the other day and thought I would try it out this year. It is the instructions to build a hand hay/leaf baler. I know I have plenty of leaves around here that it shouldn't take too much work to get them gathered up and this would also work with lawn clippings if properly dried before baling.

Here is the link: http://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2007/09/hay-baling.html

I hope some of you will find this information useful!

Thank you for that. I saved a copy for my files for whenever I'm able to grow enough of anything to actually bale it! Thanks again!

 

[RoseMarie1]

Thank you for that. I saved a copy for my files for whenever I'm able to grow enough of anything to actually bale it! Thanks again!

thank you for sharing.

 

[Beekissed]

Everybody be sure and keep bedding dry for these severe cold temps...the birds really need warm, dry footing at this time so go heavy on the dry bedding for this cold snap.

 

[gilcamp4]

Get better really quick Rose Marie. Hope your chickens and your family have a health new year. You have definitely had your fair share.

We started the new year off, with finding lice in my 7 and 11 year olds hair. Meanwhile my 4 year old was throwing up.
Hoping and praying for a healthy and safe new year for all.

Very interesting about the dairy. Have you tried goat milk? Just dairy, or store bought meat too were the problem?

we only eat goats meat not sure about the goat milk but love the meat,

 

[iwanaplae2]

Question: (I know the answer is in here somewhere but don't have time to search).
The litter in my coop has been there since August. I've slowly added bedding. I use pine shavings. The girls bring in leaves,mud and whatnot. Plus they occasionally like to kick all the straw out of the nesting boxes, so that's in there too. I break it all up and stir it around about once a week. More if it gets packed down. Their poop is breaking down nicely, and the shavings are starting to break down. But here's my issue; it's starting the smell like a cat box with cheap kitty littler. In other words, a string ammonia smell. That can't be healthy for the girls right? So here's my question... What can I do, short of cleaning it out? I'd like to wait till the weather is warmer and a little less wet before starting over with the litter. Suggestions?

 

[Mtn Laurel]

You need to add to the deep litter - pine shavings, leaves, whatever - on a regular basis and add MORE whenever you get any odor. As the litter breaks down, there's less and less of it to soak up the droppings. I'd add a lot more litter and make sure you have adequate ventilation so that any odor can get out of the coop.

When you regularly add to the litter, you won't have any smell as the new litter is replacing what has broken down. Once that ratio of new litter vs. old is off balance, you'll begin to get smell.