litter for roost pit?

[AtRendeAcres]

we built a roost pit for easier cleaning (it is completely boxed off from rest of coop)

what would be the best type of litter for this?


I will use deep litter for rest of coop straw/wood chips

 

[justusnak]

It really depends on you. I use straw, some use wood chips. Depends on what you want to spend or what is cheaper.

 

[preacher1]

I just completed my coop and boxed an area beneath the roost as well. I have put sand in mine, they have only been in the coop for a few days but so far the sand seems to do ok. I'm a newbie so I'm not sure if this is the best method but I'm giving it a try. I'm going to try to use a long handled kitty litter scoop to clean the sand at least once a week. Below are some pictures of my setup.

Roost with wire to keep chickens out and a board around the bottom to keep the sand in.

Area under roost with sand.

Door to access area under roost for cleaning.

 

[iwanteggs]

Won't that wire be in the way when the chickens are full size?

 

[AtRendeAcres]

I love your roost!

I thought sand would also work better for this area but I believe @ $4 a bag it would be to much to set up & maintain! and even though my 13 said she would go in there with a kitty litter scoop (I wasn't sure how long that would last)

my roost is 4x5

what size is yours & how much sand did you start with?

 

[preacher1]

My roost is approximately 4' x 5' as well. I had some fill sand left over from some construcion projects around the house. It probablly cost $10.00 or less per ton. If I had to buy the sand by the bag I would probably choose another option as well. I have not found it yet but I have been told that the large pet stores have a long handle kitty litter scoop, thats what I plan to get if I can find one. So far I have just used a leave rake to rake close to access door to be removed. How would the pine shavings work under the roost?

As far as the question about the wire being in the way. I'm not sure about that yet. So far it has not been a problem. Most mornings I go in they are all on the top to roost. I will just keep check on it as the hens continue to grow. If becomes a problem I will try come up with an alternative.

 

[silkiechicken]

I'd be worried about chickens hurting their feet on the wire when they grow up and get heavy. I had a hen once some how, who knows, got her foot stuck in the chicken wire of the coop door... leg and foot in one hole, and big toe wedged back towards her body

I'm sure the birds would love to dust bathe in that sand too!

 

[AtRendeAcres]

Community coop (all ideas taken from forum ideas!

I will look into buying sand by the ton (that would be much more freezable)

thanks for that info and again I love you roost!!!

hearing the wire might create a problem (I guess I could just go straight across with wire and still do the same step style approach)

 

[Slim]

I have "roost pit". Never new what to call it 'til now.

It's pine shavings, thought about sand, and may still go that way.

The biggest difference is that my 1" chicken wire wire just goes straight across the pit. the birds roosts are about 2' above the pit. Some dropping do stick to wire but a scraper knocks 'em off and into the pit. The chickens can walk on the wire, and sometimes do, but I think it's uncomfortable enough that they'd rather just jump up to the roosts.

I like wire covered pits. They work well for me.