Newbie lesson- turn the shavings!

[Lesa]

Oh, now I see why people mention pitchforking the shavings. I haven't cleaned out the coop since November-just added shavings and clean up poop board. Getting ready for frigid temps this week and decided to shovel out some old shavings and add new. Surprise! Now I know how they make cement! I really got a work out - the shavings were completely stuck together! Lesson learned. I am keeping my pitch fork near the coop from now on! All clean now, but that was way too much work...

 

[congdon476]

Hi Lesa-

Thanks for the heads up! I wouldn't have thought about that issue either. Come next winter I would have been in the same boat!

 

[blueseal]

i clean my coop every 2 weeks. take out all the poopy shavings and put in fresh . smells alot better and its heathier for the chickens. i couldnt imagine letting it go all winter without cleaning .

 

[verycherry]

Blueseal... I used to clean mine out every few weeks too, but if you use the deep litter method, which is what I'm doing now, just turning it will dry it out and keep it fluffy and make it last a good long while, and help the chickens stay nice and cozy in winter. Not much odor this way.

Lesa... I know what you mean by getting a workout, but be careful, I hurt my wrist pretty badly trying to shovel out that "cement" litter! Try throwing the chickens a few handfuls of cracked corn or oats onto the litter, and letting them scratch and fluff it for you. Gives them something to do too!