Mulch Mining and Other Deep Litter Questions

[boopsqueak]

We are using the deep litter method in our coop, as well as using wood chips in the run. This summer, we got two truckloads of fresh mulch from a local arborist company, and have been using this as well as the remains of a previous mulch pile from last year. When using the fresh chips, we have mostly been skimming them from the outside of the pile (a lot of the wood was maple, with leaves that were still green, which can cause mold problems) and letting them dry for a few days before using them in the coop/run. Recently, however, we dug into the center of the new pile. In spite of recent rain and snow, the center of the pile is bone dry. It also has a nice smell, sort of sweet and earthy, probably caused by wood fungi and maybe soil bacteria. I put a wheel barrowful of this mulch into the coop yesterday, and it still smells pleasant.
I was wondering, would it be safe to put any more of this mulch into the coop, or could it have aspergillus spores mixed into it? I didn't notice any of the musty, foul smells that usually indicate mold, but just wanted to make sure that it would be safe. (Although, interestingly, our vet says that bacterial pneumonia is more common than aspergillosis here in Connecticut. That doesn't mean it's not a danger, though!) It was very dry all summer and quite a way into the fall, I don't know if that would have any effect on mold levels. (The mulch on the outside of the pile is now wet, that's why we aren't using it). I just want to bulk up on the litter level in the coop for the winter, before snow and freezing temperatures prevent us from digging into the mulch pile at all. Thanks in advance!

Antoine and Honey climbing their mountain. (This was last year's mulch pile, the new one is much bigger!)

 

[aart]

I was wondering, would it be safe to put any more of this mulch into the coop, or could it have aspergillus spores mixed into it?

It could, I would avoid it in the coop.

What other materials are you using for your "deep litter"?
Do you expect it to compost in to garden soil?
Is the 'floor' of your coop have ground contact?

 

[boopsqueak]

It could, I would avoid it in the coop.

What other materials are you using for your "deep litter"?
Do you expect it to compost in to garden soil?
Is the 'floor' of your coop have ground contact?

Okay, thanks. Should I remove the mulch I already added? Again, it was dry and didn't smell moldy.
I probably should have been clearer when talking about the litter. The system we're using is closer to the "deep bedding" method than true deep litter. The rest of it is made up of pine shavings, chopped straw, mulch (not from the center of the pile), and maple leaves. Shredded newspaper might be another option. This is stirred periodically and more is added. The goal is to create soil eventually, but we will likely let it age for a year or so before putting it in the garden (due to its high nitrogen content). No, the floor of the coop does not have contact with the soil, however, there is probably a bit of dirt that gets scraped up along with the mulch from the old pile. I'm actually intrigued with the true deep litter method, but would be a little nervous about the moisture producing mold, ammonia, or frostbite (during cold temperatures).