Deep litter method

[JeniferFlores]

The city gives it away by the truck full so I'm itching to use it any way I can. I was thinking it might be a little too moist but I guess it wouldn't hurt to try. I'm starting to realize there isn't any wrong way for raising chickens if it works!

 

[armorfirelady]

The city gives it away by the truck full so I'm itching to use it any way I can. I was thinking it might be a little too moist but I guess it wouldn't hurt to try. I'm starting to realize there isn't any wrong way for raising chickens if it works!

And maybe when it warms up you can spread it out to dry out then store it for the winter?

I am still looking for a free wood chips source just for that reason. Free is the best !!

 

[RoseMarie1]

I'm thinking I got mine too deep in their run. It's staying wetter than it was under it. Is this right? Is it suppose to stay wet like that or do I have it too deep. It's over a foot deep in there. Was wondering if I needed to get some of it out and throw it into the garden to let it break down in the garden.
It has been raining but not every day.

 

[armorfirelady]

I would just mix it up and see if that helps with drying it out some. And maybe add some more dry matter to it. With the hay I put down last week mine is probably 18 inches deep lol

 

[gilcamp4]

I would just mix it up and see if that helps with drying it out some. And maybe add some more dry matter to it. With the hay I put down last week mine is probably 18 inches deep lol

 

[gilcamp4]

i lost my message, mine seems to be getting to deep it is to the bottom rail on the roost, i have been thinking about cleaning it out next good run of weather. and moveing the roost, hubbie said something about getting 2nd camper and backing it up as a l shape break open and put roost in new part away from feed and nest.

 

[armorfirelady]

My food and water is outside the coop in a dog crate with heated dog bowls. Mine DL tends to be damp on the bottom since when it rains the coop is near the low area where water stands. I just turn it all over and it dries well. I haven't cleaned out the coop since may. It won't be cleaned out till May when I out it in the veggie garden

 

[gilcamp4]

My food and water is outside the coop in a dog crate with heated dog bowls. Mine DL tends to be damp on the bottom since when it rains the coop is near the low area where water stands. I just turn it all over and it dries well. I haven't cleaned out the coop since may. It won't be cleaned out till May when I out it in the veggie garden

i am not sure yet .what we are going to do or should i say i am going to do, gerry built it, feeds them in the morning, i feed in afternoon and clean or add the new stuff, we were just talking about doing a roost over the wheel wells on both sides put a tray under the roost to just slide it out, we can not put the food outside we are in an opened area and have no roof over our run, and with all the rain we have had it would not be good, i do have the heated water bowls also, i may just go out and see what is under it maybe just removed top layer. i also have not cleaned mine since may, but added some to it every two weeks not a lot just to have clean on top.

 

[Arielle]

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.

Thanks Bee. They have been tracking in muddy feet and sitting inside on these bad days looking out! Today everyone was out running around -- happy chickies.

 

[Lacy Blues]

i am not sure yet .what we are going to do or should i say i am going to do, gerry built it, feeds them in the morning, i feed in afternoon and clean or add the new stuff, we were just talking about doing a roost over the wheel wells on both sides put a tray under the roost to just slide it out, we can not put the food outside we are in an opened area and have no roof over our run, and with all the rain we have had it would not be good, i do have the heated water bowls also, i may just go out and see what is under it maybe just removed top layer. i also have not cleaned mine since may, but added some to it every two weeks not a lot just to have clean on top.

I would just add some more dry, turn it over real good so the dry can soak up some of the wet so it will dry out some. Then maybe you can toss some grain or something into it to convince your girls to get busy. If they keep it worked, it probably won't get terribly wet.