Deep litter method

[Beekissed]

I would leave it be and let it drain a little and then throw some BOSS in there and let the chickens toss that top layer for you~~after that you could add a light layer of dryer stuff on top. There should be some naturally occurring and beneficial molds happening in the deeper layers anyway and these all help in breaking down the materials in the composting process. The worms and bugs rising to the nutrient rich moisture will also aerate these bottom layers somewhat.

 

[lawatt]

I would leave it be and let it drain a little and then throw some BOSS in there and let the chickens toss that top layer for you~~after that you could add a light layer of dryer stuff on top. There should be some naturally occurring and beneficial molds happening in the deeper layers anyway and these all help in breaking down the materials in the composting process. The worms and bugs rising to the nutrient rich moisture will also aerate these bottom layers somewhat.

good news -- thanks!!

 

[Arielle]

Wow, I didn't think of using composting in the runs. I was not looking forward to stripping the material OUT of the runs; can someone help me get this started, the top layer is a bit manuery, and underneath is topsoil. How can I work with this current situation to make a healthier situation?

 

[Beekissed]

Just keep a balance of carbonaceous material to nitrogenous manure and provide good drainage of of excess moisture due to rains and you should be able to have a big ol' compost pile. Works best and will break down faster if there is good ventilation in the run and if there is aeration to the mass...good worm/bug life and with the chickens tossing the top layer so it won't form a cap and grow too much fungus. Poultry manure has a lot of nitrogen so you need some a good bit of carbonaceous materials to keep a balance...bark, shavings, twigs, leaves, etc. all make for a good variety of material to help the whole thing cook.

 

[Arielle]

Great-- I'll add dried leaves to the pens. Do I use lime, or does that interfere?

 

[Beekissed]

That's up to you...if you use lime in your composting, go ahead. Be judicious in the application. You can also use a little wood ashes for the same effect. Anything that maintains that good balance and attracts bugs and worms that will help break down the material and prey on parasites and bad molds/bacteria.

 

[Arielle]

SInce I"m starting this now, with winter coming in and the bugs hibernating for the winter, how do you suggest I get this going?

Add leaves, wood ashes, and turn it over? THen let the birds continue from there?

 

[Beekissed]

Just start adding and layering....compost is warm, bugs and worms work it even during cold weather, down deep where we may not get to see.

 

[horsetails16]

Sorry if this has already been asked.. but is it okay to use the deep litter method in the area where they roost at night? It has a wooden floor. In the picture, it's the upper part of the coop. The bottom part (where they spend most of the day when they aren't free ranging) has a dirt floor. For the past 8 months we've had them I've used straw in both parts and cleaned it once every 1 to 2 weeks, but I really like the idea of the deep litter method and would love to use it if possible!

 

[Beekissed]

Some folks are putting down the plastic mats one would use under an office chair in these small coops to protect the wooden flooring and using the DL anyway. You might want to open more areas of ventilation if the one window is all you have. This is easy enough by drilling some cutouts up near the roof line opposite of the air flow opening from down below. You'll be glad you did and it will be easier to regulate your moisture levels in the DL.

Another way to really keep your DL fresh is to ferment your feeds...no smell in the coop at all. Even in the summer.