Deep Litter plans

[Luna1968]

I am trying to design my coop, and I just came across the idea of deep litter. I like this! We were planning to try and elevate the coop off the ground enough to alllow the flock to hang out underneath and deter pests. I'm trying to understand the construction of a coop floor. We were going to make the coop a lean-to design, attached to our existing utility shed. The coop would be on the side, with part of the run, and then the run would extend in an L-shape around the back of the shed as well. We plan on having a flock of between 10-15 hens, without a rooster, and we are in South GA, where it gets very hot. With the deep litter method, as I understand it, you rake the pine shavings about once a week and/or throw in some scratch to encourage the chickens to help you out. Then once a year, you take out all the composted litter to use in the garden. Most sites seem to encourage an earthen floor, to help the composting process. If we elevate the coop, that's not an option. Also, we came across the idea of putting linoleum on the floor for easy clean up. I read the forum describing the feeder and water locations as well with this method. However, I'm still a little confused about the best way to make the floor work. Should the deep litter method be attempted over a linoleum floor? Would it be helpful to first throw down some dirt first to help composting? Should I give up the idea of an elevated coop, and just use an earthen floor? It would be cheaper, but I worry about pests and predators. Maybe there is a method that involves elevating the floor with wire or something that allows the shavings to go through but won't get the chickens feet stuck? Thanks for any help!

 

[LynneP]

I changed my mind about deep litter after a while with my first hens. I decided I didn;t like the aroma or the heat given off, even in our climate. I see you are in Georgia- wondering how many Georgians use deep litter. And do you have a stable powder or food-grade diatomaceous earth to keep flies away? I'm spot cleaning and keeping the coop dry, and it smells good too!

Some thoughts-

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-Coop_Hygiene

 

[MIKE555444]

Only comment I want to make about deep litter is you MUST keep it dry. I had to add a small shelter to block blowing rain so the litter would not get wet near the exit going into the run. After fixing that problem I love the deep litter method.

 

[Luna1968]

Thanks for the link. Some interesting stuff. We do have a problem with flies down here. I hadn't considered the heat as a problem for the deep litter, because I was thinking it might be helpful to stimulate the composting. We are in a neighborhood without restrictions, but I still want to avoid bothering the neighbors with a lot of chicken stink.

 

[call ducks]

lynne p and i live in the same province i use the deep litter. but clean it out 2 times a year spring and then before winter. for me it is the best thing to do. i let me hen do the raking for me

 

[Luna1968]

I was going to update this, because I still am confused about the best flooring to use. Should it be linoleum or dirt, raised or not? Any more ideas or imput on this?

 

[patandchickens]

Here is the thing - there is no "the" deep litter method. There are a whole wide variety of different things (each with its own good and bad points, and different conditions that it requires/creates) that people do involving deepish litter, but just because they tend to all get referred to as 'the deep litter method' doesn't mean they are particularly much related to each other.

If you want actively-composting litter that will heat up as much as possible, you ought to be on a dirt floor, or at least a cement floor with soil mixed into the bedding when you start out. However in Georgia you do NOT NOT NOT want this; and even elsewhere, it does have some significant disadvantages that go along with it so should be used cautiously and without rose-colored glasses.

For anything else that could be termed deep litter and a method, it does not matter very much what your floor is like. So I would suggest that other considerations should guide your choice. If the site EVER floods or gets water pooling after big storms, build a raised floor (like preferably at least a foot, maybe more, not just barely raised). If rats are a concern, either build on concrete slab ($) or raise the coop up 18" or so, to deny rats a hidey place to chew into the coop from. If your site doesnt flood and rats are not a concern, a dirt floor is cheaper to build, although make sure to digproof it somehow (an apron of heavy gauge 2x4 or 1x1 mesh, laid on the ground up to 3' out from the walls, and securely attached to the base of the walls, is one easy way; but there are others). Etc.

Good luck, have fun, don't worry about "the" deep litter method, just figure you will create/adapt your own personal management style as you get into things,

Pat

 

[darkmatter]

Quote:
Check out my pics of my coop on my BYC page. I use dirt floor which is below the exterior ground level more then a foot. I've been using this for over 15 years. I got the idea from a book written in the 50's by Robert Odale from the Organic Gardening fame. There is never a odor unless you let the deep litter get packed down. (don't use straw) I only clean it out in the spring to use on my garden, then add chips, clippings, etc. all summer long.