I just started being a chicken owner six days ago. I'm trying to use the deep litter method. Please let me know if the following sounds correct:
I've got about 6 inches of pine shavings sprinklede with DE covering a 4 x 6 area for six chickens. Everyday, I've used a handheld garden hoe to rake the poop under--well, sort of. I can't get the poop to fall all the way to the bottom. As I rake the newest poop under, the older stuff comes up. For now, I kinda push the newest poop down maybe an inch or so and cover it with pine. Next I throw scratch down and the chickies mix everything up. The problem is, (if it is a problem), the chickens bring the old poop up. As for the smell, it's nothing but pine all day.
Should I change anything?
I've got about 6 inches of pine shavings sprinklede with DE covering a 4 x 6 area for six chickens. Everyday, I've used a handheld garden hoe to rake the poop under--well, sort of. I can't get the poop to fall all the way to the bottom. As I rake the newest poop under, the older stuff comes up. For now, I kinda push the newest poop down maybe an inch or so and cover it with pine. Next I throw scratch down and the chickies mix everything up. The problem is, (if it is a problem), the chickens bring the old poop up. As for the smell, it's nothing but pine all day.
Should I change anything?