Deep litter question!

[HenHouse Henry]

Thank you for sharing! The scratch is a good idea. Do you get any mites or insects using the straw?

Never a problem with mites. I do sprinkle DE once in a while to keep the mites at bay.

 

[cp2894_]

Deep Litter is A COLD compost method, not meaning that it gets cool - the laws of physics says that's not happenening - but rather that the heat of decomposition, though computable and measurable with modern scientific instruments, is imperceptible by you or your chickens, and insignificant as a consideration for heat management. The pile of green lawn clippings in the back corner of the yard - assuming its managed correctly - is a hot compost method, easily over 100 degrees F. 6" of leaf litter, refilled 4-5 times yearly, becomes less than 2" of top soil in my deep litter system in... a year. A hot compost tumbler can generate that in a few months under optimum conditions.

Those fear-mongering websites are missing proportionality and context. But it does generate clicks, which can be monetized.

Wow thank you so much! That post I saw was so misleading.

 

[cp2894_]

This could be said about many things -- especially if the fear-mongerers stand to make money from offering a "solution" to the "problem".

Very true!

 

[paintedChix]

Im a newbie with a lot of stuff so I’m not trying to question you just too understand. Isn’t the deep litter method used in old months to generate heat? I live in NC and it gets cold here in winter. I start letting my bedding start to build up beginning of September n add to it so by the time it turns cold it can keep the coop warm for them. Im asking cuz if thats wrong I need to do something else. Any info. Is appreciated

Wow, this is so much harder to do from my phone than a computer! My lap top is currently "out of order", i hope to have it back... someday.

"Blooie" - great to see you pop in!!

"Luckycluck" - as u can c, everyone has what works best for them.

From your 1st post w/ pics w/ no actual dimensions, i assumed that you were referring to the shed itself being used (similar to Aart's, but smaller). I thought the box on the floor was to become a nest box. I totally did not get that the box was what you were wanting to use for a coop... everyone else has stated why it won't work & given better ideas, 'nuf said.

I think from 2018 to early 2020, i responded to quite a number of posts re: deep litter, sand & open air vs completely enclosed coops - w/ my own pics. I even developed an extensive list of other posts/threads as well you tube vids at one point. I don't have easy access to that list on my phone, but while at a Pet Care event later this am, i might have time to dig for it...

For starters, here is what I've used over the years as DLM (deep litter method)...

Deep litter -https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Z4ZpfpHr1Nr5DZC8

& yes, i have & still do use shredded paper. I will sit & remove plastic windows from junk mail/bills while watching tv

Our various coops - nothing fancy... - https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Z4ZpfpHr1Nr5DZC8

And my various "tractors" ...-
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9niPpTb56SYFBR667

& WELCOME to BYC!!

 

[paintedChix]

& since the 1st link didn't work right, but ened on 2nd link, here is link to our coops - https://photos.app.goo.gl/fgKYkhxNAXBnH6B36

And im expanding the 8x8 coops to 10x12 (3 of them)...

 

[RSLNwife]

Carolina Coops recommends industrial hemp bedding. It's used for horses too. Auboise makes it. I will be getting mine at a local True Value location.

 

[Blooie]

Thanks, @paintedChix! I was off for almost 2 years but then @bruceha2000 called me on my birthday and here I am, back again.

 

[saysfaa]

Thanks, @paintedChix! I was off for almost 2 years but then @bruceha2000 called me on my birthday and here I am, back again.

I'm glad you are back; I looked for your posts on a lot of subjects. Thank you.

 

[Blooie]

I'm glad you are back; I looked for your posts on a lot of subjects. Thank you.

What a nice thing to see…. Thank you!

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

DLM here in HI and it gets hot as well as humid ... Works great but I'd skip the straw. I use pine shavings & grass clippings now then when I mow (once a week). I've read straw is hallow and mites tend to burrow in them ... I don't care for it cause when I want to rake out some dirt/compost, it tends to "tangle" and harder to move around.

I dont use hay because i hate to see it in the chickens beaks and fear they will swallow it and it get stuck.