Deep litter method

[weenie007]

Can anybody tell me how often you put DE down and how much for an 8*10 coop?

 

[tamemeg]

Hi i'm a newbie and I find all this information VERY helpful. We just bought a used coop and are dismantling and moving it to our home. I would like to use the "deep litter method" and would like to know if it would "work" with a brick paver floor. It currently has a paver floor and they come with the coop so I was going to use them as they told me it work well with cleaning. If you all tell me that you should have just the earth floor for the "deep Litter" to work properly, then I will do that. Thank You, Pam

 

[Paws2u]

This is my first try at chickens, and we are preparing to put our 4-1/2 week old girls out in their new coop with heat lights, etc. We are going to section the coop so the girls have to stay in closer quarters so they can stay warmer and ensure safety, but we want to put down pine shavings, etc., for them. I read in these postings that someone uses DE...what is that. I am so new at this and these chicks have become a huge part of our daily lives...I never would have imagined. Thank you for your help.

 

[shareneh]

On page six of this post you will find a nice description of what DE is from Airmom1c05.

I would put about six inches in the area where your chicks will be living. This will provide enough insulation and a good start for your deep litter.

 

[lesterlu]

i recommend reading this entire blog. there are details throughout this blog, such as DE should be food grade (there are two kinds) and litter might benefit from a tiny amount of water in dry climates.

 

[Dawn419]

Check out my BYC pages. I have a Food Grade DE and DLM page.

Hope this helps!


Dawn

 

[Davidian]

This is all Great Info Thank you all!

 

[ambersparks]

It sounds like those of you who use the deep litter method use it in enclosed coops. Can it also be used in a more open coop w/ a roof? Like this one? http://www.mypetchicken.com/Chicken_Coop_Plans-Chicken_Coop_Building_Plans___two_sets_-P361.aspx

Thanks!
Amber
mama to four children, four chickens, one dog and one fish

 

[Dawn419]

Quote:
Hi Amber!

I don't see why you couldn't use the DLM in the coop you mentioned. I use the DLM in our Chick-N-Barn...I just added 2 pieces of 2 x 4 under/at the pop-hole door to help keep the litter in.

I do clean the "Barn" twice a year though as I can't get the DLM deeper than about 8" as opposed to our larger Playhouse coop where I can get 12 to 14" of deep litter and only clean it once a year.

Hope this helps!


Dawn

 

[badgerpendous]

I'm assuming that I should not to try to deep litter the run area of my coop. The coop is small (only three birds) but the run is 4x8.

The floor is currently dirt. We were planning on adding a layer of pea gravel and some straw. Any thoughts on what else I should do for the floor of the run?

Thanks!