Deep litter method

[Sally8]

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.

If you use NuStock for fleas, where do you place it on the dog? Our Aussie is 9 yr old. Never been sick. Only vetted once for a badly split paw playing catch (other than rabies shots, required). This yr he's been plagued with fleas. His tummy is red from digging. I'm assuming there. Does it take care of all?

 

[Beekissed]

Did for mine..but I found that he licked it off and I had to reapply later on when the fleas repopulated. It was instantly soothing and the itching stopped but the dogs do not like the smell and will roll and rub on the ground to try and get it off.

My dog's belly was red from itching as well and had scratch marks from all the digging and millions of flea bites....which were all soothed and not to be seen on his belly two days later after applying the NS. Good stuff.

 

[armorfirelady]

I had a couple people PM me asking what I used for the deep litter method. So since it was rake the litter day in the coop I took some pics of what the litter looks like. I just got my chickens August 4th & haven't cleaned any of the litter out. Just add some every 2 weeks or so. It gets raked around to bring up the damp stuff once a week and thro crack corn during the week so the girls help move it around & earn their keep

This is in the doll house coop area that I converted into a giant enclosed hen house. I use pine shavings here. the brown stuff is poop & dirt from them trying to dig to china Lots of big solid lumps of poo. No smell tho even under the roosts. I did remove the ramp today since it was only acting as a poop board since it was under the roosts & I raked everything up well & put some new shaving under the roosts. And wood ashes & straw in the nesting boxes. (they are not laying yet but I am hoping soon) I only add shaving once a month maybe. Its about 8 inches in this part of coop.


This is the enclosed wooden run. I use straw here. Its about 6 inches high & I rake it all around once a week. I havent added straw in at least a month unless you count the bale on the left. But thats a wind break and nap spot for the hens I did add some fresh hay today tho but only about a leaf of straw. The only odor is the smell of compost. No ammonia or poop smells at all. Thanks to FF

 

[beccram]

Ok, I have read all the posts here and understand them. We have sand in our run as we have rocky, clay soil here and it is really compacted. The girls ( and one guy love scratching and "bathing" in the sand. My problem is that I really hate those shavings in the coop!
We have been doing the deep litter thing and that is ok - but I'm really wanting something other that shavings. Does anyone have any other suggestions? We have 22 tons of sand, but it won't quit raining long enough for the pile to dry out! If we use that in the coop - it will have to be all dry when we put it in there - correct? This is starting to be a dilemma...........

 

[Beekissed]

Leaves are nice for the purpose, and many find sand a good bedding option, though I doubt sand will act like true deep litter.

 

[MLWoods]

I don't know if the quoted post will show up, but someone mentioned finding DE at Lowe's. Be careful to read that label. The DE in our Lowes was not food grade, it's fine to use in the garden, but not for your chickens!

 

[Sally8]

I don't know if the quoted post will show up, but someone mentioned finding DE at Lowe's. Be careful to read that label. The DE in our Lowes was not food grade, it's fine to use in the garden, but not for your chickens!

That was the same at Home Depot. I asked the clerk and was told it didn't matter. educate yourself and be watchful.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
Thanks. Will look into it!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I am sold on deep litter. I am using pine needles and shavings. its bone dry even with this geese! No odors. I will be using this method from now on. I also noticed, my Alpaca will roll in the bedding in their house, is so funny to watch. My comet is white, and he already looks much cleaner. Beanie is a copper color, but his wool feels better too!

 

[celticgarden]

I'm using deep litter too. I like that it helps insulate the platform floor. I lined the plywood sub floor with heavy duty vinyl floor mats. I toss goodies into the litter often, trying to keep the girls turning over the bedding. Night before last it was some leftover tortellinis! Italian night...