Deep litter method

[TalkALittle]

Is it the coop or the run? If the run, is it roofed?

 

[Beekissed]

We are still getting rain on our already saturated yard. Until now the coop was staying dry. Now, its staying wet no matter how much bedding i add or how much I turn it over. I'm starting to worry it will mold. Would lime help with the moisture? I'm thinking mix it in the damp bedding and toss pine shavings over the top.

Or if you could recommend another plan...

It would help a good bit and also, not turning it would help....water tends to gravitate towards the bottom, so turning it to the top makes the whole mix more wet. Having materials at the bottom that will wick moisture helps also, as it will absorb the excess moisture and leave the top more dry.

For now I'd apply some lime on the top and cover that with a mix of bedding that lets air into the mix...I'd avoid using all pine shavings, as they tend to take forever to break down and they hold moisture in clumps, which does form mold caps. If you are using all of one kind/type of bedding it tends to pack down and not allow air into the DL, so mixing different types and sizes of particles really helps to keep a dryer mix. A little shavings, a little straw, a little leaves, bark, twigs, etc really help to break up the surface and allow air into the mix and encourages better composting. Right now, while it's so damp, you might avoid adding any greens like grass clippings or hay...they have their own moisture and will just add to the problem.

For covering areas of high fecal concentration, you could just lightly cover those from bedding taken from a more dry area of the coop or just flip them lightly into the bedding right where they are. No deep stirring or flipping can really keep moisture in the lower levels as much as possible. Then, when the top is too moist, just add a layer of dry but don't mix it in...just layer it in like making lasagna, trapping the moisture under the dry layer.

Another thing that helps is ventilation....HUGE, open areas of wall that allow good flow through of air that will help dry your DL during these wet days. Ventilation at the floor level is especially important during the summer months and can help pull fresh air into the coop, while the stale, humid air exits out the ventilation areas at the upper levels.

 

[16 paws]

Just regular garden or agricultural lime...what they call "sweet lime". I get mine at Lowe's and it's super cheap...I can get 40 lbs for $3 and some change. It goes a long way. Some old timers use lime in their bedding and in their runs to give their chickens more calcium and phosphorus in that way. As the chickens ingest things found in the bedding and soils, they pick up the lime as well.

Be careful when spreading your lime, as it's very fine and can get in the respiratory tract of both you and the chickens...not fun.

There is a sweet lime~or garden/agricultural lime~ and a caustic lime~or hydrated lime, that is used in construction. Make sure you get the basic agricultural lime and not the caustic stuff....not to be used around animals and you certainly don't want to be breathing that stuff or even get it in your eyes or on your skin...burns like the dickens!

Thanks for the info, I will pick some up at Lowes.

I really love the picture of the cross on your aviatar. I once was lost and now I am found. Praise Him....
Marie

 

[Beekissed]

Amen! Every day and in every way.

 

[pinkmartin73]

I have never used lime so I dont know if that would help. You say the coop is staying wet? How is the water coming in if I may ask.
Marie

Our yard is the lowest level in the neighborhood. Both yards on either side drain onto ours because they are a bit higher. If we owned it we would be bringing in dirt. Anyway, our coop and run are dirt floor. Its slightly higher than the rest of the yard but still lower than the neighbors. Our yard basically looks like a small lake right now. We wear rubber boots and walk through water above our ankles to get to the coop. Its slowly drying but expecting storms again sunday. A yard can only hold so much water. Its starting to come up to the bedding in the coop. Not puddles but wet. Its wet enough that its drawing flies. Still doesn't stink.

 

[pinkmartin73]

Is it the coop or the run? If the run, is it roofed?

The coop is enclosed but has several open windows with chicken wire and the door is screened with wire too. Our shed shields it so it doesn't rain in. The run is partially covered by a tarp and enclosed with chicken wire.

 

[pinkmartin73]

It would help a good bit and also, not turning it would help....water tends to gravitate towards the bottom, so turning it to the top makes the whole mix more wet.  Having materials at the bottom that will wick moisture helps also, as it will absorb the excess moisture and leave the top more dry. 

For now I'd apply some lime on the top and cover that with a mix of bedding that lets air into the mix...I'd avoid using all pine shavings, as they tend to take forever to break down and they hold moisture in clumps, which does form mold caps.  If you are using all of one kind/type of bedding it tends to pack down and not allow air into the DL, so mixing different types and sizes of particles really helps to keep a dryer mix.  A little shavings, a little straw, a little leaves, bark, twigs, etc really help to break up the surface and allow air into the mix and encourages better composting.  Right now, while it's so damp, you might avoid adding any greens like grass clippings or hay...they have their own moisture and will just add to the problem. 

For covering areas of high fecal concentration, you could just lightly cover those from bedding taken from a more dry area of the coop or just flip them lightly into the bedding right where they are.  No deep stirring or flipping can really keep moisture in the lower levels as much as possible.  Then, when the top is too moist, just add a layer of dry but don't mix it in...just layer it in like making lasagna, trapping the moisture under the dry layer.

Another thing that helps is ventilation....HUGE, open areas of wall that allow good flow through of air that will help dry your DL during these wet days.  Ventilation at the floor level is especially important during the summer months and can help pull fresh air into the coop, while the stale, humid air exits out the ventilation areas at the upper levels.   

I've been trying to avoid turning but the girls do it anyway. I go in and try to smooth it back out over the dirt. I didn't realize they could or would dig so deep. Right now all i have avail. Is pine shavings but im alternating layers of med. And fine. I'll try to pick up lime before work tomorrow. Ventilation is definately covered. Its not nearly air tight to begin with and there are huge windows and the door screened with chicken wire. The roof has ventilation as well but doesn't let rain in.

Thanks to all who replied!

 

[Beekissed]

That your girls are moving the chips is a good sign...at least they are finding things in there to hunt and eat and the DL isn't so heavy with moisture that they can't move it, so that's a plus. About how deep is your litter at this point would you say?

 

[pinkmartin73]

It varies. I guess 6-7 in un some places. Up to 10 in others. I've scooped some out to the run when it was really wet. Also its usually a bit deeper under the roosts

 

[pinkmartin73]

The yard is considerably better this morning but theres more rain headed our way. I haven't seen such a rainy season here in many many years. Well before moving here and having my yard flood.