Deep Litter?

[farmerbly]

How deep does the litter need to be? I'm finishing my coop and just trying to think ahead?
Thanks
BP

 

[Judy]

There isn't a single answer for this. Maybe, enough to blot up poop liquids and control odor, or maybe, enough to mix the fresh poop into.

In the old fashioned deep litter method, ordinarily in a dirt floor coop, litter is added and mixed in for perhaps a year or more as needed, so of course it can get quite deep, enough to begin composting and giving off some heat. I think what is more common on BYC is something like a vinyl floor which is cleaned much more regularly, and a fairly thin layer of shavings are used, then removed completely, perhaps weekly or monthly.

There are other variables, You can add products such as agricultural lime, DE or something like sweet PDZ to help manage poop. You can collect about half the poop on a poop board and remove often, maybe daily. You can remove some of most of the poop from the shavings. Some people use sand, and scoop the poop daily like a kitty litter box.

You will develop your own style and choices.

 

[duckinnut]

There isn't a single answer for this. Maybe, enough to blot up poop liquids and control odor, or maybe, enough to mix the fresh poop into.

In the old fashioned deep litter method, ordinarily in a dirt floor coop, litter is added and mixed in for perhaps a year or more as needed, so of course it can get quite deep, enough to begin composting and giving off some heat. I think what is more common on BYC is something like a vinyl floor which is cleaned much more regularly, and a fairly thin layer of shavings are used, then removed completely, perhaps weekly or monthly.

There are other variables, You can add products such as agricultural lime, DE or something like sweet PDZ to help manage poop. You can collect about half the poop on a poop board and remove often, maybe daily. You can remove some of most of the poop from the shavings. Some people use sand, and scoop the poop daily like a kitty litter box.

You will develop your own style and choices.

Pretty much sums it up in a nut shell or clam shell for those with nut allergens.

For me I use the DLM style with wood shavings. The girls do a good job rolling it around themselves but every so often I will clean out underneath the roost and add some of the existing shavings under it and add fresh to the open area. When it gets a complete cleaning I do lime the floor and add DE to the fresh shavings. As far as depth, I use less in the summer and more in the winter for a little shield against the harsh New England weather.

But as Judy said you will find what works best for YOU. As we all have different coops,# of chickens, weather, ect,ect,ect........

 

[farmerbly]

Thanks for all the info!
BP

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

I agree with Flock Watcher and Duckinnut.

I mix in fresh shavings every once in a while.

Clean the coop when there is more poop than the bedding itself.

 

[chicksbunsdog]

Pretty much sums it up in a nut shell or clam shell for those with nut allergens.

 

[Silvester]

Can I use a tray of scoopable cat litter in place of a "poop board" under roosting perches?
Could I use cat litter all across the bottom of my coop in place of shavings or sand?


Silvester

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Can I use a tray of scoopable cat litter in place of a "poop board" under roosting perches? Could I use cat litter all across the bottom of my coop in place of shavings or sand? Silvester

I'd go ahead and try that. Make sure it's unscented/sensitive type.

 

[barnaclebob]

Can I use a tray of scoopable cat litter in place of a "poop board" under roosting perches? Could I use cat litter all across the bottom of my coop in place of shavings or sand? Silvester

I got 3 chickens a few weeks ago. My coop has sand in it and has a light barn smell, i scoop it out every 5-6 days with a cat litter scoop and toss the poo under the coop in the run to get mixed in with the litter. I find the barn smell much more tolerable than cat litter. The barn smell is not noticeable unless you open the doors to the coop and are standing right next to it. The run is pine shavings and a couple of inches deep has lasted about a month so far and I estimate its about halfway to needing to topped off with more. So far I have no regrets about this method but my run sits on paver stones and is very dry, we'll see if things change when the rains come.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

For real "deep litter" you should start with about 6-8 inches of shavings, and add to it as needed.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9QuJFt/www.plamondon.com/faq_deep_litter.html/

Cat litter is mostly clay.
I wouldn't spend the money on it when pine shavings are so much cheaper