Deep Litter Method??????

[chickenlover45]

Can you guy give me more info on the deep litter method, like what i can use with it, how much the chikens like it, how often it needs to be changed, etc.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The best IMO is pine shavings, the big bag horse stall shavings (cheapest).
Just put down about 3 or 4 inches. How often depends on stocking density and how much time they're indoors.
You'll have to judge that for yourself.

 

[hannahrachel]

Hello! I use the deep litter method myself, and it is great! You can use almost anything with DLM (deep litter method). Wood shavings, grass clippings, leaves, pine needles, hay, straw, sand... I'm sure there are many more things out there, too, but these are the most common I've seen here. Simply lay 3-4 inches inside the coop/run every once and a while, and let it acclimate!

To stir it around, I toss a handful of scratch grains, and let my chickens do most of the work. Sometimes I will use a shovel, though, when I don't just want the surface layer stirred up.

My chickens like it tons better than they would regular dirt... it keeps them entertained, if that makes sense. They're always scratching around, searching for new things to gobble up underneath the layers! DLM is also good for the bugs. Depending on how deep you make your litter, insects will come up to the surface to feed off of the nitrogen-rich soil, which has slowly bettered over time. This creates a wonderful snack for your hens, also!

Here is a thread where you can learn lots about DLM: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/70/deep-litter-method

It's very long, but worth a read!

 

[TwistedFeathers]

I use hay in my coop, looking at adding dry leaves now autumn is here in new zealand I put a few little piles of wheat in there every now and then, and at the start the pullets didn't scratch in it, they would just peck the wheat they could reach, but after one bout of wet cold weather, where they stayed in bed all day, they figured out there was more wheat that had slipped down in the hat, and they scratched away happily. They are great now, scratch right down to the ground looking for goodies. Every now and then i add more piles of wheat in different spots to keep them turning it over. I do turn it over myself under the favourite perches, as it's gets poo heavy quickly and i don't feel comfortable chucking grain there.
Also going to look at wood shaving too in future, but will see how we go with the hay and soon to be leaf mix.

They do like the deep litter on nasty days, i always find them snuggled up in it, rather than huddled on a perch.

 

[chickenlover45]

Thx