Dropping bards vs. Dropping pit

[Mrs MIA]

I started with a pit, but getting in there to clean it, around the roosts and everything, was a pain in the patootie. It was 8' long, by about 3' wide and 18" deep. I finally removed the pit and just put down a platform that's covered with cheap vinyl. A flat-edged shovel is all I need to scrape it up and put it in a bag to take out. So much easier!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

this is my interpretaion of the "chicken litter box" the roosts are all over the box one level so no fighting for highest spot. I have about 8 cups of DE in the box and NO ODORS. I love this! Its not my invention but wow do I reccommend it!
roosts with clean out doors shut:

Doors open - provide access to "litter box" and nests below:

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I made some changes but this is the thread I got the idea from:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=91143

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
How many chickens do you think you could efficiently use a system like that? I like it, but have a LOT of birds...

 

[tdgill]

I have been just leaving an area under their roosts without shavings on it. So far they don't seem to drag shavings into that area, or drag poo out. In the morning I just use my mini plastic snowshovel (which I love) and scoop it up. I only have 7 chickens, but it works great.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

Quote:
How many chickens do you think you could efficiently use a system like that? I like it, but have a LOT of birds...

I have four hens and a rooster over each box at night. During the day each group has their own breeding run/nest box and time to free range. I have six identical pens so 30 birds totatl.
But at night over one box 5LF seem to be the max.​

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
How many chickens do you think you could efficiently use a system like that? I like it, but have a LOT of birds...

I have four hens and a rooster over each box at night. During the day each group has their own breeding run/nest box and time to free range. I have six identical pens so 30 birds totatl.
But at night over one box 5LF seem to be the max.

So I'd need about 15 of them in one coop alone...

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

Quote:
I have four hens and a rooster over each box at night. During the day each group has their own breeding run/nest box and time to free range. I have six identical pens so 30 birds totatl.
But at night over one box 5LF seem to be the max.

So I'd need about 15 of them in one coop alone...

Hmmm . . . that's a lot of birds!

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
So I'd need about 15 of them in one coop alone...

Hmmm . . . that's a lot of birds!

Yep... but the idea would work great for my quail cages... must think on this some more.

The dropping board we have works for large numbers of birds and you only have to scoop it once a week or so. The only downside is birds getting in the way of incoming droppings.

 

[tdgill]

i was going to put a board under the roosts...but didnt like the idea of fresh smelly poop so close under them with no absorbant material.