Deep litter questions

[maggiebelle]

First of all...i read in another thread 'DE' what is 'DE'? Now, how do you do deep litter (if you can successfully) with a wood floor? Shavings? Straw? How often should you change it with a wood floor? Any other tips? Thank you

 

[Dawn419]

DE = food grade Diatomaceous Earth

Here's a page I put together about how I'm doing the Deep Litter Method/DLM.

The coop floor is wood, covered with a linoleum remnant. I've noticed that the pine shavings don't really seem to be breaking down/composting but the pooh is dry and there's no smell, at all, after close to 7 months of use. I just add a few scoops of fresh pine shavings about every other week or so but we only have 7 Banties in there at this time.

Hope this is some help, if not, just let us know!

Dawn

 

[maggiebelle]

Thank you dawn...the linoleum remnant was the piece of the puzzle i was missing i think Now...where do i find the food grade 'DE'? I looked all over the place this past summer just looking for any 'DE' i was told it got rid of red ants (not so much ) but it took me ages and 20 stores to find it. Where on earth do you find food grade?

 

[Dawn419]

Some links for places to buy food grade Diatomaceous Earth...

http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/defaq.html

http://www.freshwaterorganics.com/

http://www.mcgearyorganics.com/

http://www.perma-guard.com/

This is where I now get my DE from since we found out there is a dealer about 40 minutes away from us...

http://www.custommilling.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=27

I know there are a few other places you can get food grade DE, but the above links are ones that I had bookmarked.

Dawn

 

[bills]

This link will give you some safe handling procedures of DE

http://www.cleartech.ca/msds/dearthFP.pdf?PHPSESSID=5298c8f096df31e98d50a6e162ea7998

 

[CarlaRiggs]

That's a scary link!
Does the link refer to food grade DE? I can't imagine that silica comes in food grade....

Carla

 

[geoaware]

Diatomaceous Earth is a rock material made up of the shells (technically the word is 'test') of microscopic little beasts (they are a form of algae) called diatoms that live in the ocean. Their shells are made up of silica.

Sorry to be so technical...but I know Maggiebelle loves it when I get all technical

 

[Dawn419]

Quote:
Carla,

I, personally, do not believe the link to be about food grade DE because at the top of page 1, it reads:

Product Identifier.............Celatom, etc., etc., etc.

Product Use..........Filter Aid

Since it is listed as a Filter Aid, I'm guessing that it is a link for pool grade DE. Definately not what you want to be using on or around your birds, only in swimming pool filters.

Dawn

 

[Charlie Chicken]

To answer the original question, pine shavings work very well on a wood floor or for any floor for that matter. I have used them on both wood and dirt floors.

If the coop is large enough and isn't over crowded with too many birds and a roost is provided (where most of the droppings will fall) deep litter can provide a nice dry environment for your birds. If scratch grain and various treats are thrown on the floor the chickens will keep it mixed with any new droppings with their constant scratching.

I don't change my litter daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly. I just add fresh shavings from time to time and let them scratch it in with the old. The only time I change the litter is when I intend to start a new flock of baby chicks.

 

[palabeco]

I found DE at a local feed store, He said I was the only one that asked for it, although he does do specialty feed mixes for people that includes DE. I use straw as my litter over a wood floor and just add a little new straw once a week or so. I use a pitch fork to turn it every few days. Not really much odor, but sometiimes gets damp, I guess from wet feet, turning it seems to help. I add more DE every 2 weeks or so when turning and adding new straw. I think come spring I might add linoleum floor for easier cleaning, and keep floor from rotting.(although the floor is treated outdoor plywood).