Litter for Run?

[OreoH]

I'm thinking about using a combination of pine shavings, top soil, and potting soil as the litter for my chicken run. does anyone have any advice on what I should add or take out? I think I will use the deep litter method, and I would at some point like to plant some herbs and flowers inside the run. Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Axe the soils entirely, especially potting soil which is usually full of additives like fertilizers and perlite.

Do you want deep litter primarily to create compost or for drainage/run maintenance?

What is your plan for planting stuff inside the run? The chickens will either eat or destroy anything that's planted inside that's left unprotected, so are you planning to fence stuff off (which can eat up run space)?

 

[OreoH]

I want to use deep litter for the compost, and because it seemed like the easiest one to do. I haven't thought too much about the planting yet, but I read somewhere that I could put a loose sheet of chicken wire over the plants until they were grown, and then they were full grown they would go through the wire where the chickens could reach it. Our run is covered with chicken wire, so rain would come right through. I was concerned about having wood shavings because they would mold if it didn't dry out fast. Do you think mulch could work?

 

[3KillerBs]

I found that a mixture of materials -- pine shavings, pine straw, straw, fall leaves, etc. -- worked better than any one single material because having the different materials and textures helps prevent packing, matting, and the development of anaerobic pockets.

Deep litter requires some moisture, but if you are so soggy that your litter is molding you need to do something about the water problem.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I want to use deep litter for the compost, and because it seemed like the easiest one to do. I haven't thought too much about the planting yet, but I read somewhere that I could put a loose sheet of chicken wire over the plants until they were grown, and then they were full grown they would go through the wire where the chickens could reach it. Our run is covered with chicken wire, so rain would come right through. I was concerned about having wood shavings because they would mold if it didn't dry out fast. Do you think mulch could work?

Normally I'd recommend wood chips as the base material for deep litter, but for compost you want a mix of stuff that will break down faster, such as dried leaves and garden clippings. Not sure what you'd add to allow for more drainage though...

Grazing frames (which is what you're describing) are usually used for grazeable greens like grass or clover. You said earlier you wanted flowers and herbs, so I thought you were planning more like an actual garden inside. I've actually done that before, but good luck keeping chickens from trying to get inside the fenced off areas.