Dried leaves for deep litter method

[Heffalump]

I have never used the DLM before, I was just getting all set up to start when I realised that we are nearly out of wood shavings, we do however, have tonnes of dried dead leaves from all the trees on our property. Can I use these?

 

[jdfette]

Not sure. I used DLM last winter with a base of wood shavings and then lots of straw on top and it seemed to work well.

 

[Kiki]

I have never used the DLM before, I was just getting all set up to start when I realised that we are nearly out of wood shavings, we do however, have tonnes of dried dead leaves from all the trees on our property. Can I use these?

Yes!

 

[Kiki]

The more (different) the better.

 

[Heffalump]

So do I just lay a good thick layer down, and give it a good stir and add some more on top once a week or so?

It would be great to put the leaves to use. We have so many of them!

 

[Kiki]

So do I just lay a good thick layer down, and give it a good stir and add some more on top once a week or so?

It would be great to put the leaves to use. We have so many of them!

You don't even need to push them into a layer.
A big pile will do...the chickens will fix it for you.
You will have to wait and see...watch it, get to know how deep litter looks/works.
That being said I add to mine when ever I feel like it. No set time.

 

[aart]

Is this for your coop or your run?
Do you expect it to compost down into good garden fertilizer,
or just manage the smell from the poops??

Either way, you need a good mix of different materials,
or you could end up with a stinky mass of slime,
this may be riskier in the coop than in the run.

 

[Mimi13]

Yes, leaves are wonderful. My run is a mixture of pine flakes, mulch, dried leaves, grass clippings, etc. The chickens will make quick work of a pile of leaves. If you have an over abundance of dried leaves you can even bag them for use later in the coop, adding throughout the winter. Just make positively sure the leaves are completely dry before bagging. You don’t want mold to take over.

ETA: I don’t use straw or hay at all.

 

[jolenesdad]

@KikisGirls arent you in Houston? How are you incorporating deep litter into your coop/run situation here? What’s your setup like for it? Do you have any posts/articles/links to your setup if I’m asking you to repeat yourself?

I never thought I would get so lost in opinions and information about the difference of deep litter, deep bedding, and what the purpose of each is?

@aart... I don’t think you’re a fan of deep litter in the sense of trying to get it to compost, correct, which is why you refer to yours as more deep bedding? (But, also, I sort of gather your deep bedding may actually be more along the traditional definition of deep litter??)

Anyway, my question is if I’m using deep bedding, and it’s just drying out my poop, if I’m in a high humidity area isn’t that just asking for it when those damp days take over?

I’m just at the hypothesis stage here still but in my humid climate (basically Houston area, too), don’t I want some level of composting occurring so when the humidity rolls in it’s not just wetting up 3 months of poop?

 

[Heffalump]

It's for in the actual coop.