Deep litter method

[gryeyes]

Diatomaceous Earth. Little bitty skeletons of diatoms, REALLY itty bitty. Use FOOD GRADE, not the kind you can find in garden shops or nurseries or pool equipment stores.

 

[wuzup402]

What is DE ? thanks

 

[patandchickens]

What is DE ? thanks

gryeyes just answered this for you in the above post...

Pat​

 

[wuzup402]

Quote:
wzup402,

The only thing that comes to mind is the abbreviation for Delaware (DE).

HMB

DE its used to help speed up the drying process of manure and such. I just need the whole name rather than an abbreviation.

 

[tdgill]

i have Permaguard (brand name) Codex Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth (Fossil Shell Flour) 50 lb. bag I paid $30.

 

[ladybuglives]

Okay -- 1 hour after starting this thread... a question still remains... One peep asked about keeping water in the run and not in the coop due to the DLM -- the question was "Don't the chickens need water at night?" Don't they constantly need access to water? If you keep the pop door open to the run 24/7 they can go out to drink but WILL they???? I don't want my sweet girls getting dehydrated. Thanks for all the great info!

 

[Beekissed]

Chickens are usually on the roost all night until first daylight. They will not dehydrate in one night, nor do they have to have constant access to water or they will dehydrate. Its always a good idea to have continuous access to water but, as anyone knows who has had a waterer run dry for one reason or another on a hot day, they just do not die that easily.

If you keep your water in the run they will definitely do out to reach it...not usually at night, of course.

I keep mine in the coop(don't have a run) and my free ranged flock come into the coop to get their drinks. I use the DLM but I keep my waterer elevated on cement blocks so as to avoid too many shavings in the water. This works very well.

 

[Gardenpig]

I love this topic!! THank you!!!! So...the chickens will run around on the litter. And when they are sitting on the roost, they poop on a separate board under the roost or just let their poop fall onto the litter? I've heard people do both but I don't know which is better. How do they get out? I don't understand that part. If the deep litter is supposed to get up to 8-10 in from a few inches when you start...how do they get out? Do I make a ladder so they can get out of the deep litter?

 

[tdgill]

forgive me for saying but I hope it helps you, don't overthink it. A very zen type person (jeez I wish i could remember) told me when I was doing the same thinking as you, "Let the poo be your guide"

I was also trying to determine how to make this "poo stew" in the most beneficial way. I have come to the conclusion that it is not a recipe that you are trying to "create" but a easy and manageable way to keep your chickens. You'll find what works for you along the way. Proper ventilation and keeping an eye (nose) on things will help you also. Granted there is gonna be some stinky poos, but you should not be always smelling a strong amonia smell. That means your litter is too wet.

I think it will be a good while before you get to the 8-10 inches of litter, I have yet to. I have used drop boards sometimes, sometimes not. I don't throw scratch in the litter anymore to encourage the chickens to stir it, as it was too dusty. I also used less additions of new litter, pine or straw mixed together in order to try to keep "some" moisture in the litter and the dust down.

My only issue with the litter has been if a waterer got spilled or there was too much moisture from a rainy window or brought in from wet boots, wet dogs or wet chickens. This litter will be very strong amonia smell as it releases gases when it gets wet. I added ventilation (i've even put a small fan in a window) and had to shovel out the drenched and worst of it one time. But it was still a manageable and temporary condition.

Dont worry about a ladder to get out of the litter just yet, I dont think you'll need one. Have fun with your chickens, take a breath and relax and enjoy them. It does get easier. And for all the ups and downs it is ALL worth it.

here is another thread that I found interesting and helpful. I like Pat's input as always.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=59094

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
You'll find your litter packs down with time and your chicken's feet are designed to walk on this very well...sort of like walking on forest floor debris. I can tell you are imagining them swimming through chest high litter and it just doesn't work like that.

Even when it is fluffed up they have no difficulty walking in or over the deep litter.