Deep Litter Vs. Poop Tray! Free Range Vs. Enclosed Run!

mirandalola · Oct 28, 2016

Designing my coop now while the chickies are growing up. What are the pros and cons of the Deep Litter method versus having poop trays under the roosts? (I do keep a garden in which to use all that natural fertilizer!)

Also, I have a lovely 2-acre yard, gently sloped, covered in East Texas grass and partially shaded by mature oak and sweet gum trees. What are the pros and cons of free ranging vs. enclosing their run?

(I tend to be lazy.... no, efficient! and prefer to use methods that will take less maintenance! To me that sounds like deep litter and free-ranging, but then wouldn't everyone be doing it that way?)

Thanks!

FridayYet · Oct 28, 2016

If there are any predators around (including dogs), you'll want an enclosed, secure run and/or electronet fencing to keep the birds safe. Chickens are near the bottom of the food chain, and every predator out there thinks they are tasty!

snywalker · Oct 28, 2016

mirandalola said: ↑

Designing my coop now while the chickies are growing up. What are the pros and cons of the Deep Litter method versus having poop trays under the roosts? (I do keep a garden in which to use all that natural fertilizer!)

Also, I have a lovely 2-acre yard, gently sloped, covered in East Texas grass and partially shaded by mature oak and sweet gum trees. What are the pros and cons of free ranging vs. enclosing their run?

(I tend to be lazy.... no, efficient! and prefer to use methods that will take less maintenance! To me that sounds like deep litter and free-ranging, but then wouldn't everyone be doing it that way?)

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I go with both. A poop "slide" under the roost. And deep litter everywhere else.

The poop tray is angled into a 5 gallon bucket, so a little rinse and everything is gone. That is where most of the poop is, so the rest of the coop just needs emptied about once a year.

I am lazy too!

Hokum Coco · Oct 29, 2016

mirandalola said: ↑

What are the pros and cons of the Deep Litter method versus having poop trays?
What are the pros and cons of free ranging vs. enclosing their run?
Most BYCER's regard poop trays and enclosed runs as improvements but could be considered over kill for some members.
Amount of birds and predators being the two guiding factors respectively.
Click to expand...

chickens really · Oct 29, 2016

I have a 8x12 Coop and an 8x12 enclosed run...I use sand in both Coop and Run...So easy to clean the coop...No stink...I use a kitty litter scoop and a pail...Takes minutes to clean my Coop...My Run I rake up the poop and Till it once a week....

Cheers!

farmer jon1 · Oct 29, 2016

I free range but I have a 40x40 run to lock them up in in case I have a bunch of company or a strange dog is around. Im not using a poop tray. I just have straw on the floor. My roost will lift up and I just pull it out with a shovel. My coop is long and narrow. 8x14. I put the roost way on one end under the window.

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Deep Litter Vs. Poop Tray! Free Range Vs. Enclosed Run!

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