Deep litter method

[binders]

I might try it with hay. Lawn clippings are not an option since there are very few lawns where I live. I also like the smell of hay so that may work. I have been using the shavings since that is what so many recommend and have been warned off of hay because of mold etc., but then again my environment is not the normal either. Thanks for the suggestion

 

[Going Bhonkers]

I'm having trouble grasping what exactly "the deep litter method" is. I havent read all 36 pages of this thread yet, (going to after this post) but does anyone have a picture they could share?

 

[Beekissed]

It doesn't really look like much so there isn't much you can tell from a pic. Contrary to what many think, deep litter isn't about just keeping deep bedding in the coop. It's about accumulative layers of bedding and feces, like lasagna, so that the nitrogen of the feces has carbon with which to bind and then decompose as beneficial microbes and bugs move in to break it down.

When it really is a true deep litter in action it won't be this light, airy looking bedding you see in some pics of deep litter...it gets to be an almost caramel brown(depending on your bedding material) and then darkens from there. The bottom layers resemble good mulch or soil if left long enough and developed well.

The system sort of "eats" your bedding and manure.

 

[Going Bhonkers]

It doesn't really look like much so there isn't much you can tell from a pic. Contrary to what many think, deep litter isn't about just keeping deep bedding in the coop. It's about accumulative layers of bedding and feces, like lasagna, so that the nitrogen of the feces has carbon with which to bind and then decompose as beneficial microbes and bugs move in to break it down.

When it really is a true deep litter in action it won't be this light, airy looking bedding you see in some pics of deep litter...it gets to be an almost caramel brown(depending on your bedding material) and then darkens from there. The bottom layers resemble good mulch or soil if left long enough and developed well.

The system sort of "eats" your bedding and manure.

Okay, your description helps a lot. Thanks!

 

[Sally8]

It doesn't really look like much so there isn't much you can tell from a pic. Contrary to what many think, deep litter isn't about just keeping deep bedding in the coop. It's about accumulative layers of bedding and feces, like lasagna, so that the nitrogen of the feces has carbon with which to bind and then decompose as beneficial microbes and bugs move in to break it down.

When it really is a true deep litter in action it won't be this light, airy looking bedding you see in some pics of deep litter...it gets to be an almost caramel brown(depending on your bedding material) and then darkens from there. The bottom layers resemble good mulch or soil if left long enough and developed well.

The system sort of "eats" your bedding and manure.

I have used the deep litter method for almost 2 years now and am sold that it is the way to go. When I first started it was mainly to save time and almost gave up last winter because we were so over run with mites and lice. Not so many weeks ago, I realized that I kept the bags of pine shavings under a lean to that housed bird's nests overhead. I can't believe I didn't catch that sooner. My question is (I used it this way also) why would we put DE or lime or any other in the mix when we are trying to create an environment for the good to outweigh the bad?
I haven't read the entire thread and maybe this was already addressed.
BeeKissed, do you ever use the wood ash on your dogs for a flea repellent? Fleas are the worst this year but ironically, mosquitoes aren't.

 

[Beekissed]

I don't use DE either and for that very reason...it's not real selective.

Haven't used ashes on the dog yet as the NS did the trick, finally...if I can keep him from licking it off! That dog will eat anything.... All the same, internally or externally, it seems to have helped with his fleas.

 

[Arielle]

NS on dogs for fleas? What is NS?

 

[MyTDogs]

NS on dogs for fleas? What is NS?

just guessing....neem spray? i use an essential oil product called ectopamine. it is wonderful.

 

[binders]

NS on dogs for fleas? What is NS?

NS stands for NuStock. it is a sulfur mineral oil, pine oil or tar mix that many use on their birds. There has been a lot of talk about it on Beekiss's thread, https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...want-to-follow-their-progress/30#post_9670363 She first starts to talk about it in post #35.

 

[Sally8]

NS stands for NuStock. it is a sulfur mineral oil, pine oil or tar mix that many use on their birds. There has been a lot of talk about it on Beekiss's thread, https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...want-to-follow-their-progress/30#post_9670363 She first starts to talk about it in post #35.

Thanks, I could not find it and kept getting side tracked. lol