Many questions about dirt floor coop and Deep litter/pests

[Julie Sachse]

Mine would. They either peck them enough to break enough bones to soften it up enough that they can swallow it whole or peck it into bite sized pieces. I've seen them cut a frog to pieces. Mine really love to swallow a mouse whole after they soften it up.


To you, no to the chickens. That's the way nature works.


Not for any of those reasons. A snake big enough to eat eggs may follow their tunnels into the run. That's not likely but it is possible.

That is good to know, I was Definately worried. I have never seen any type of snake ever here so hopefully it stays that way

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I usually go about 2 or 3 days before scooping

I barely do it once a year. DLM on dirt floor. I would not keep chickens if I was a poop slave to them.

 

[3KillerBs]

will the chickens kill it to eat it?

Our tiny dinosaurs eat anything that doesn't eat them first.

I barely do it once a year. DLM on dirt floor. I would not keep chickens if I was a poop slave to them.

Likewise. But with the small coop I have to change the bedding once every 8-12 weeks give or take a bit according to the weather and other factors.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I barely do it once a year. DLM on dirt floor. I would not keep chickens if I was a poop slave to them.

I hear ya, but I just can't stand the thought of all that poo, lol. The poop boards make it no different than my cats litter box.

 

[aart]

The poop boards make it no different than my cats litter box.

Except chickens lay eggs...and they don't live in your house.

 

[3KillerBs]

Except chickens lay eggs...and they don't live in your house.

Honestly, I don't scoop the catbox either.

Scooping is an idea that only came in within my lifetime -- no one did that when I was a kid. The box is changed weekly and if you use a large enough box there is no significant odor.

 

[Julie Sachse]

Our tiny dinosaurs eat anything that doesn't eat them first.



Likewise. But with the small coop I have to change the bedding once every 8-12 weeks give or take a bit according to the weather and other factors.

So funny and so gross at the same time.

 

[3KillerBs]

So funny and so gross at the same time.

I'm happy for the chickens to eat all the moles, mice, voles, etc. that they want to eat.

I do warn the skinks and fence lizards to stay out of the chicken coop.

 

[Vicker]

No bottom or lining in my metal coop. I move it twice a year and add deep litter after they clean out the grass. I surround the coop with movable electric netting, providing an expansive grassy area to roam.

 

[Melissa Malone]

I use the deep litter method in my coop (60 sq ft) and absolutely love it so far. My run is attached (192 sq feet) and its dirt and sand. My husband built the whole thing and we modeled it after the Carolina Coop designs with 12 inch plastic sheeting all around and vinyl on the floor. I just sprinkle a little new hemp bedding each week as needed as well as home made herbs/flowers mixture for pest control. My chicks love it!