getting ready for winter today!

[kerrysmommy]

hello,
its only the end of october here and already snowing the news is saying that on halloween we could get at least in inch to 3 here and going to go winterise the coops and wanted to know what deep litter meathod is and if it is great for winter
thanks
kerrysmommy

 

[eggsrcool]

Personally, I use the deep litter method. It is great for winter as it keeps the coop warm.
The deep litter method is, quite simply, putting coop litter into your chicken house and allowing it to build-up. This means it decomposes and mixes with the chicken manure, generating heat.

Here are two links which explain the D.L. method well, and the first one also includes forum responses to the D.L. method:


https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1888

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1560-DLM (This blog also provides you with further links).

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=525


Good luck with whatever you choose for your coop.

Iain.

 

[kerrysmommy]

i like the second link.......what is de and how much is it and where can i get it and do i have to use it???????

 

[silvercat76]

I live in upstate NY and we have about 6-8" of snow already, I've been gearing up for the cold with my gang. I added some shaving's yesterday and today it was only 36 degrees this am so I quickly added hay. I put their heat lamp on about a month ago and was turning it off during the day when it was warmer and back on closer to the night fall for a few hours. I don't wrap my run with plastic as our walls and floor are insulated and sheet rocked, plenty of warm last year. This year they should be fine as we have expanded our flock by 13 more. The deep litter method works great in our coop.

 

[kerrysmommy]

Quote:
i live in western ny and we just get snow fall none on the ground yet

 

[fasbendera]

I used it last winter and it worked well. I was concerned about the smell and moisture so I started by puttinga layer of barnlime directly on the floor (plywood) and started with a very thick layer of bedding. It worked great. I am going to install dropping boards so it should even be better and a dust bath bin of some sort.

 

[eggsrcool]

Quote:
DE is Diotamaceous (sp?) Earth. In the UK, a quick Google search said the prices were £6 for a 4lb bag, so that's approx. $8-10 in the US, but someone can hopefully confirm that for me.
DE prevents pests such as mites and lice; therefore, one assumes that it is important for the DL method.

ETA: Another search said a 2KG pot is £13, so that is around $20.

 

[kerrysmommy]

okay..........now what about sand??????? has anyone used it and thinks its better than shavings????

 

[silvercat76]

You can't use just sand for them, they need shavings or hay. People mix sand or DE in the bedding for the deep litter system and for dusting.

 

[eggsrcool]

Quote:
Shavings is alot better than sand. Sand will not keep your birds warm during the winter.