Deep litter method

[RoseMarie1]

Sure thing!

It looks like a neat project for spring construction. I'm going to modify my hoop coop, if the Lord is willing, so this will be one of the things I can do when I have the tools out.

oh now I missed something else! Will have to go back and SEE what it was!!!!!

 

[fasschicks]

I have been using the DLM in my coop since I built it in October (6 girls). I use pine or aspen shavings on a wood floor (raised coop is 6x7). All has been going pretty good until this past week. I noticed in the last couple days that the bedding seems damp. With the deep freeze that we got the past 2 weeks, I am trying to troubleshoot where things went wrong or if that contributed to it:

1 - I haven't added any litter for 4 weeks (added some this morning) - did I go too long? I currently have 5-6 inches in there right now.

2 - had a heated dog bowl in the coop for almost 2 weeks and think that it gave off a lot of moisture (normally have a heated bucket with nipples). I have switched back to nipple feeder

3 - Chickens were cooped up for several days during the -25 degree days

4 - I haven't had any issues with ammonia odors, so I think the ventilation is sufficient (3 ft. x 4 inches just above heads and 3 ft. x 3 inches coming in from NE side of coop)

5 - there was a lot of snow melt over the weekend and water was sitting in my sand run - maybe girls tracked it in?

I am hoping that even though it was damp that putting more bedding in there will turn it around? Or do I need to "clean house" and get rid of the old bedding and start new? I add Sweet PDZ to the bedding every couple of weeks.

If anyone has any suggestions or comments, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Fass

 

[Lacy Blues]

I've only been doing the DL for a very short time but I think that adding litter to the floor and maybe mixing it up some to distribute the moisture/dry materials should make it ok. Four weeks does seem like a long time to go in a coop that size with that many girls in there.

Hope it dries out quickly for you.

 

[fasschicks]

Thanks. I think some of the moisture froze with the bedding (even though I stir it every couple of days) and finally when it was almost 40 degrees here over the weekend, it might have thawed and made the bedding damp. My wood floor isn't wet at all, so it isn't too bad, just damp. I need to stop on the way home tonight to pick up some more bedding, so hopefully that will fix the issue.

On nice days, I might also leave the side window open during the day and see if that helps too. Thanks again!

Fass

 

[armorfirelady]

Just add more dry stuff and either give it a stir or throw some scratch in her here and let the girls do it. I actually throw some scratch on top hen turn it over so the girls will keep digging to find the scratch that's mixed in

I had the same temps and 2 days later when the snow stopped I actually had moisture inside on the walls. So I ok down all the extra tarps I put up for the blizzard and the north end is open like normal. My DL was damp to but the hens were in there for 4 days because of the wx so I knew it would be.

 

[Arielle]

Can I add line to cut down on the amonia ordor that has suddenly started? Normally I would add more bedding, but that is becoming a premium item given it is winter. Thoughts?

 

[Beekissed]

You can...a lot of folks use lime in their litter. Be careful when you spread it as it's so fine and can really get in your nose and lungs and go light at first. I'd also look into adding more ventilation at the floor level to move that ammonia up and out of there.

 

[JeniferFlores]

Can I use mulch for the deep litter method? I can get it free and you can't beat free!

 

[Beekissed]

Can I use mulch for the deep litter method? I can get it free and you can't beat free!

Why not try it and see? It sounds like it would be great...but maybe a little moist? Can't beat free!

 

[niqueie]

I used mulch in my run and it is awesome. I just got some free stuff too. My neighbor had a tree service out to do tree trimming, I asked for it and got some. I'm going to put more in the coop this time. I like how it takes a while to break down, yet natural and absorbent. I live where it hardly ever rains so that may be something to think about.