Deep litter smell?

[RESQME49]

Doing research now on coops to build and am considering deep litter. Is there any maintenance on them? Can you use pine shavings? How is the smell and smell over time? How often do you clean it?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Doing research now on coops to build and am considering deep litter. Is there any maintenance on them? Can you use pine shavings? How is the smell and smell over time? How often do you clean it?

I accidentally started deep litter after getting ducks.

To maintain, I'll add dry material if it's getting too wet. That's usually pine shavings or leaves or wood chips. Recently, I started throwing in hay that my goats waste. I rake it to mix it up when I add dry material, but many just let their birds mix it by digging/scratching.

It doesn't get dry with ducks in it, but if it gets dry, you can moisten it a little with a hose. Or get ducks. Seriously. Ducks make everything soggy.

I change it out completely 1x/year (in the spring). I use it for compost and mulch.

It doesn't smell bad at all. It smells earthy, like compost or potting soil. If it smells bad, it's because Ive been slacking and need to add more dry material. Most people don't have this problem. But I have ducks. Ducks = soggy/muddy.

I used to use deep bedding and clean it out monthly, but deep litter has been a HUGE time saver, especially now that I have a large run (300 sq ft). I highly recommend deep litter!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Only real maintenance would be adding more material as stuff breaks down, and maybe removing some if it builds up too much (or if you want to use it for gardening). You really don't need to clean it, it's a composting system, though I do remove any obvious poops daily just so we're not stepping in them.

Pine shavings alone is NOT deep litter. You want a mix of organic matter. I personally would not use any shavings in the mix as they tend to just get waterlogged and don't break down as readily as dried leaves or grass, nor do they offer drainage and aeration like wood chips do.

Chunky aged wood chips is the ideal base material for deep litter in most cases. Into that I add dried leaves (I save them in fall), garden trimmings, weeds, short cut lawn trimmings, etc.

Once it is established there should be no real odor - if you can smell it, you either need to add more litter, need to fix drainage issues, or are housing too many birds in too little space.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Only real maintenance would be adding more material as stuff breaks down, and maybe removing some if it builds up too much (or if you want to use it for gardening). You really don't need to clean it, it's a composting system, though I do remove any obvious poops daily just so we're not stepping in them.

Pine shavings alone is NOT deep litter. You want a mix of organic matter. I personally would not use any shavings in the mix as they tend to just get waterlogged and don't break down as readily as dried leaves or grass, nor do they offer drainage and aeration like wood chips do.

Chunky aged wood chips is the ideal base material for deep litter in most cases. Into that I add dried leaves (I save them in fall), garden trimmings, weeds, short cut lawn trimmings, etc.

I actually like the shavings, but what you say makes sense. I use the chunkier shavings. And leaves are my go-to.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I actually like the shavings, but what you say makes sense. I use the chunkier shavings. And leaves are my go-to.

It's a climate thing too - in a rainy climate, especially if run is uncovered or in a lower lying area that can bog up at times, wood shavings act like a sponge and can mat down.

From a cost perspective, dried leaves are almost always free (though requires some storage space or preplanning). Weeds for sure are free. Wood chips can be cheap or free, depending on the area, but again may require storage space.

 

[Aunt Angus]

It's a climate thing too - in a rainy climate, especially if run is uncovered or in a lower lying area that can bog up at times, wood shavings act like a sponge and can mat down.

From a cost perspective, dried leaves are almost always free (though requires some storage space or preplanning). Weeds for sure are free. Wood chips can be cheap or free, depending on the area, but again may require storage space.

Which is why I am buying a wood chipper! I have NO shortage of leaves and wood for chipping here!

 

[neo71665]

Deep liter is great. I ended up buying a wood chipper so I can make my own mulch. Allowed me to get away from the pine you buy and Use more hardwood that lasts a bit longer.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Which is why I am buying a wood chipper! I have NO shortage of leaves and wood for chipping here!

Every time the tree guy calls to check in on us he caps the call with "By the way, need more chips? THEY'RE FREE!"

No shortage here either.

 

[Ted Brown]

Doing research now on coops to build and am considering deep litter. Is there any maintenance on them? Can you use pine shavings? How is the smell and smell over time? How often do you clean it?

Ditto on all of the above.

However and to clarify deep litter normally refers to a method used in RUNS as it implies that composting is occurring; properly done one simply add more material over time and never cleans it out.

Deep bedding refers to a similar method used in coops. Most often pine shavings are used and will easily last a year or more IF DROPPINGS ARE REMOVED ON A REGULAR BASIS. The easiest way to do this is by having drop boards under the roosts; removal is done daily or every very few days. Given this there is little to no smell.

 

[3KillerBs]

As @Ted Brown said, there is a difference between Deep Bedding and Deep Litter.

Here is my article on Deep Bedding: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/using-deep-bedding-in-a-small-coop.76343/

Both are low-maintenance if done correctly and both are problems if you have too many chickens for the amount of bedding/litter, poor ventilation, etc. My article discusses pros and cons.