Dried leaves for deep litter method

[flyin-lowe]

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.

My coop has a wood floor coated with rubber roof coating. Every spring I clean the coop, put a small layer of pine shavings. Then every couple of weeks I add a layer of grass clippings, then leaves, then some straw (two week or so interval). I switch it up each time but use more grass and leaves then straw. By the beginning of winter it is about 12 inches deep and the bottom is broken down really well. I spread this over my garden and let it sit for the winter. Then I start the same process over again. Works out perfectly fine. No smell and every time I add a new layer the hens really get everything stirred up and broken down.
By definition it might not be considered a true deep litter method but I have done this for years and love only have to scoop it all out twice a year, and my garden loves it too.

 

[Deblett]

My property is on the edge of a wood so I have no end of dead leaves. At the moment my currently 2 hens and a Roo live in a little wooden coop (till my husband finally gets round to building them a palace) on a piece of land that is fenced in but not covered (except with mesh). So, little house with minimum 25 metres by 10 metres natural run (was Grass haha) Now its all dead grass and a few lingereing weeds and an old fire pit that they use as a dust bath. Should I just 'leave' it as is (Excuse the pun) or should I start dumping all these lovely leaves in the run? Do you deep litter an essentially outdoor run? I eventually plan on having around 10 birds in this area. They free roam in the rest of the garden every afternoon till dusk. Will attach pics of area in question before they destroyed it. Coop it just out of shot and whole area i is now covered with mesh to stop prey!

 

[Deblett]

If it's relevant, hot and dry april till september, and quite wet and chilly, but no frost or snow October till spring!

 

[flyin-lowe]

I do my version of deep litter in my coop because it keeps me from having to completely clean it as often and the by product is good for my garden. As for my run once it gets down to mud I throw in a new layer of leaves, or straw or whatever. I don’t reuse the compost so I don’t worry about rotating what I apply in there. I e been doing this for yheee seasons and it’s never had to be changed or emptied. The stuff just keeps breaking down and it’s no deeper or shallower now then it was when I started. As long as they’re feet aren’t muddy that’s all I consider in my run. I let them free range a lot so that plays a factor as well