Moldy turds in deep litter

[micstrachan]

So I have been loving the deep litter method and spread it all over my yard. Unfortunately, today I found a few patina green moldy turds! I’ve had a couple hens not feeling well on and off, and think maybe it was a mold exposure from the litter. So how does one prevent this from happening? Turn the litter more often? I live in warm and dry California, but sometimes run fan misters (to beat the heat) that dampen the run. When I don’t dampen the ground, it is QUITE dry... too dry to compost quickly. Advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[ChickNanny13]

I may be wrong but dry is better with DLM, the poop is "moisture", hence you just keep adding dry matter to the run. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, rarely remove anything but do keep adding as I the level of shavings going down. It's bare hard ground so my thinking the shavings add cushion. The chickens are loosening the dirt & it does get dusty at time, so I lightly spray the shavings & mix it around. Been doing this for the past couple years, have shoveled out some of the "old" stuff before adding new shavings to fill in low spots in my yard.

How much "misting" are you doing?
Where was the "green moldy turds, in the run or your "yard"?
Have you fed anything different (spinach, kale, dark green veggies) to your chickens?

 

[micstrachan]

Thanks. Green moldy turds were buried in the run. Haven’t been misting this week, but did a fair bit the week before. Will must cautiously going forward.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Wait to see what others have to say ...