Dried leaves for deep litter method

[Heffalump]

I just want it to manage the poops really.

 

[Kiki]

@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 setting up 3 months of poop?

I have an open air coop (2 sides) with dirt floor.
I don't know what the difference is between deep litter method and deep bedding.
I add, add and add whenever and completely dig everything out twice a year. I will get some photos to you.

 

[Kiki]

I can't imagine nor would I ever try this in a regular type closed in coop that is not on dirt flooring.
I don't understand how that would work.

 

[jolenesdad]

The two sided ventilation is big time I’m sure for the success.

As far as I can TELL currently, deep LITTER means you’re trying to get the poop to break down and start composting. Deep BEDDING is keeping enough bedding materials to dry out the poop without it really breaking down.

I’m temporarily moving them to a concrete wash stall, open on one entire side and open on top and I have fans as necessary. Any thoughts on what you’d do for the bedding since we are in the same area?

 

[Kiki]

The two sided ventilation is big time I’m sure for the success.

As far as I can TELL currently, deep LITTER means you’re trying to get the poop to break down and start composting. Deep BEDDING is keeping enough bedding materials to dry out the poop without it really breaking down.

I’m temporarily moving them to a concrete wash stall, open on one entire side and open on top and I have fans as necessary. Any thoughts on what you’d do for the bedding since we are in the same area?

I use the litter method then because my stuff turns into black gold.
Can you add dirt into this temp place?

 

[aart]

As far as I can TELL currently, deep LITTER means you’re trying to get the poop to break down and start composting. Deep BEDDING is keeping enough bedding materials to dry out the poop without it really breaking down.

That's a good synopsis.
Litter takes some moisture for true composting action.
Bedding is dry.

I use pine shavings (and a bit of straw) for bedding in coop,
and totally change it out twice a year,
but I also use a poop board under roosts that I sift every day.

I use semi-deep litter in runs, mostly chipped tree trimmings, but also add other dry plant materials...and I add the old coop bedding to run.

 

[jolenesdad]

@KikisGirls its concrete flooring but I could technically add dirt. It’s temporary because of predators until I move in a year or so, it’s not a temporary structure. Photos of it at this link


Photos of wash stall before conversion

 

[rosemarythyme]

Dried leaves are fantastic to mix in for deep litter in a run. But I have tried dried leaves in the coop once (a tiny coop directly on the ground) and it didn't work well. It broke down way too fast, and if poop built up or it got wet, it turned slimy as well.

 

[blackdog043]

As far as I can TELL currently, deep LITTER means you’re trying to get the poop to break down and start composting. Deep BEDDING is keeping enough bedding materials to dry out the poop without it really breaking down.

Yes, that's correct. Deep litter started on the ground will break down all the material used, along with the poop, to make great soil, like a compost pile. Deep bedding is a dry environment that does not compost.

My set up is like @aart, I have deep bedding(dry) inside my coop. I use pine shavings, some straw and I sprinkle some PDZ in the shavings. I use poop boards, with PDZ, that I scoop every day. I have a covered run, that I do deep litter in. It doesn't get real wet inside, but if you dig down, there is nice moist soil from everything breaking down.

I've looked at your pictures before, I would use deep bedding in your situation. I wouldn't add dirt on top of the concrete, it still wouldn't be the same as on the ground, for deep litter. The space your going to use is far enough under the roof, that it should not get wet, even if you have an open wire front. I'm in NC, it gets pretty humid here and I don't have any problems with the coop bedding getting damp.

 

[blackdog043]

@Heffalump, I wouldn't use leaves only, inside the coop. I don't think they would absorb moisture from the poop and dry out like shavings will. So you may end up with a smelly coop. You could try it and let us know how it works.