Deep Litter with Chickens AND Ducks?

[feathermaid]

Here's my only option for moving the ducks. It's about 8'x20' and there's a peach and a cherry tree planted in there. Any reason that wouldn't work, other than the occasional bonk on the head from falling fruit?

I'm curious to know what other duck owners have to say about that. It seems to me like that would be an awesome place for the ducks to go.

 

[llombardo]

I am not sure about the peach and cherry pits. Those can be a problem. I know that peach pits carry a poison for dogs($1000 ver bill on that one)

I would research the pits before making that move.

 

[llombardo]

I know right- where does that stuff go?! I guess the earth just has a way of absorbing and taking everything back... the beauty of compost.

Over the years, I've seen and tried so many different methods to keep stuff in place. The first thing that made sense to me was watching how landscapers laid paving stones over a layer of landscape fabric (and sand and gravel). but the fabric seemed to keep everything from sinking over time. Plastic sheeting is the worst because there's no drainage. I even tried using the landscape/weed fabric under the shavings for my chicken area but because chickens are constantly scratching and digging, that just made fluffy chunks of it sticking up all over the place, leaving patches of bare ground (aka mud) in all the spots where they scratched it up.

So anyway, back to your question about raking the wood chips over the pvc netting... I just mostly rake the top layer to smooth out the potholes they create.
View attachment 1593854
My sturdy metal garden rake does catch somewhat on the netting if I rake too close to the ground but my leaf rake doesn't do much at all. I haven't found it necessary to completely turn over the chips. I rake everything level on the surface and that's enough to turn the top layer of poop over and then the rain washes the rest down underneath. The guy from Newland Poultry recommends using a sanitizer and spraying it but I haven't done that yet. I know eventually all this will decompose, so when it gets to that point I plan to remove it and put all that compost around my garden beds and shrubs in the landscape (because that stuff keeps disappearing too!). I've already practiced moving it and a snow shovel works great to smoothly scoop it all up over the netting.

I already broke one rake. I had the guys weld it back together.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I know right- where does that stuff go?! I guess the earth just has a way of absorbing and taking everything back... the beauty of compost.

Over the years, I've seen and tried so many different methods to keep stuff in place. The first thing that made sense to me was watching how landscapers laid paving stones over a layer of landscape fabric (and sand and gravel). but the fabric seemed to keep everything from sinking over time. Plastic sheeting is the worst because there's no drainage. I even tried using the landscape/weed fabric under the shavings for my chicken area but because chickens are constantly scratching and digging, that just made fluffy chunks of it sticking up all over the place, leaving patches of bare ground (aka mud) in all the spots where they scratched it up.

So anyway, back to your question about raking the wood chips over the pvc netting... I just mostly rake the top layer to smooth out the potholes they create.
View attachment 1593854
My sturdy metal garden rake does catch somewhat on the netting if I rake too close to the ground but my leaf rake doesn't do much at all. I haven't found it necessary to completely turn over the chips. I rake everything level on the surface and that's enough to turn the top layer of poop over and then the rain washes the rest down underneath. The guy from Newland Poultry recommends using a sanitizer and spraying it but I haven't done that yet. I know eventually all this will decompose, so when it gets to that point I plan to remove it and put all that compost around my garden beds and shrubs in the landscape (because that stuff keeps disappearing too!). I've already practiced moving it and a snow shovel works great to smoothly scoop it all up over the netting.

How long have you been implementing this in your run?
What is the sanitizer? I saw it in the link you posted but not sure what it is.

 

[feathermaid]

How long have you been implementing this in your run?
What is the sanitizer? I saw it in the link you posted but not sure what it is.

I've had the wood chips/netting since January (before I built my new coop) and they should last a couple/few years, the netting can stay there indefinitely. The sanitizer is just for good ground management and keeping any poop viruses from getting out of control... or treating the ground before bringing in a new flock.

I haven't purchased a sanitizer/disinfectant yet... still researching the right kind to get locally. But I do plan to get that done in spring before the arrival of my new chicks. I've never had any disease outbreaks before but I sure don't want to take any chances.

Did you read the article in the link?
https://www.newlandpoultry.com/muddy-chicken-runs
Even though this system is still fairly new to me, I think if it works well for a large scale poultry operation it's worth giving a good try.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I've had the wood chips/netting since January (before I built my new coop) and they should last a couple/few years, the netting can stay there indefinitely. The sanitizer is just for good ground management and keeping any poop viruses from getting out of control... or treating the ground before bringing in a new flock.

I haven't purchased a sanitizer/disinfectant yet... still researching the right kind to get locally. But I do plan to get that done in spring before the arrival of my new chicks. I've never had any disease outbreaks before but I sure don't want to take any chances.

Did you read the article in the link?
https://www.newlandpoultry.com/muddy-chicken-runs
Even though this system is still fairly new to me, I think if it works well for a large scale poultry operation it's worth giving a good try.

Yes, I read it. Just not sure what sanitizer or disinfectant would be used.
I'm currently dealing with a muddy run due to rain, snow, ice, warmer temps, colder temps, and the cycle repeats.

 

[feathermaid]

Yes, I read it. Just not sure what sanitizer or disinfectant would be used.
I'm currently dealing with a muddy run due to rain, snow, ice, warmer temps, colder temps, and the cycle repeats.

Oh mud is the worst, I feel your pain!
I'm not sure what kind of cleaner either, but I just did a shopping-google search for "ground sanitizer for poultry" and there's a ton. I'll probably be reading reviews for quite a while But I wouldn't think disinfecting this time of year would be too necessary, especially if you don't have any current infestations, or are expecting new birds to arrive.

 

[chickengr]

Thanks everyone for your responses! Looks like I have quite a bit of work to do over the next couple of weeks!

Here's my only option for moving the ducks. It's about 8'x20' and there's a peach and a cherry tree planted in there. Any reason that wouldn't work, other than the occasional bonk on the head from falling fruit?

they will be happy there! I have had a peach tree and both chickens and ducks ate the fruit. I also give cherries as a treat, they love it. the place looks really good.