First Winter With Chickens, What To Do?

[Bantam bell Wood]

You can, but you will need to lightly water it periodically, so that composting will happen.

Alternatively, you can just leave it dry and frequently turn it over with a garden fork.

Also, I’m using hemp hurd((s) not sure if it’s one thing or many things). I’ve added some dry leaves to the mix. Is hemp hurd a good material for the deep litter/composting method as far as you know?

Thank you again.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Also, I’m using hemp hurd((s) not sure if it’s one thing or many things). I’ve added some dry leaves to the mix. Is hemp hurd a good material for the deep litter/composting method as far as you know?

Thank you again.

Anything organic (derived from living organisms, especially plants) that hasn’t been contaminated with various pesticides and isn’t KNOWN to be toxic to chickens is fair game.

If you have deciduous trees on your property, here’s where all those fallen leaves go, especially if you can crunch them up with a mower first. <- Although I’ve found that less than one week of chickens scratching in non-chopped leaves has shredded them nicely.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you, in Maine, I’m not sure how the watering would/will go in the winter.

I wouldn't water in winter as that'll just give you frozen litter (plus who wants to stand out in freezing conditions dumping water on things?) Save composting efforts for warmer weather.

Is hemp hurd a good material for the deep litter/composting method as far as you know?

Hemp is great for compost.