NEWBIE WHO NEEDS YOUR HELP ON THE DEEP LITTER METHOD

[paulzan09]

I am new to backyard poultry, started in february 2014 here in jacksonville florida. i have 5 hens... 2 plymouth rock, 2 rhode island reds and an araucana. i have an above the ground chicken coop measuring 4x4 ft living space not counting the nest boxes with a big run for my girls. I have been using straw up to now and is about to change the bedding to pine shavings... i have heard that the best and most economical method is to do the deep litter method.... i need a step by step instruction on that... my partner chicken enthusiast who is of course my husband said, that method is going to make our coop wood floor rot, is that true? coz i told him that as per what i read, i have to put soil first before the bedding? your answers will be greatly appreciated!

 

[petrel]

Welcome to BYC! There is some good reading on this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/70/deep-litter-method and many others. I too use pine shavings, but I can't stand to leave it more than a few weeks. Even after a second application of pine shavings and a little scratch to encourage the girls to mix it up, I still prefer to strip it bare and start fresh.

Thanks for joining.

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! I don't use that method, I use sand in my run and Sweet PDZ in the coop. Good luck to you.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I tried the deep litter method and didn't care for it. But it depends on your cleaning habits. I have become a huge fan of sand. It is very easy to clean and maintain, it stays dry when wet, soaks up the poop and there is no odor, no flies, you can hose it down in the summer and keep the birds really cool and it is soft on the pads. Here is a link if you want to read up on sand...https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/444759/got-sand-you-should

Good luck with your projects and we do welcome you to our flock!

 

[paulzan09]

i do have sand in my run but has not added food grade DE yet, how much do i put per sq ft of sand? thanks

 

[TwoCrows]

I do not put DE in my sand, but you could. You don't a lot of DE as it is sharp in the respiratory system. But if I was going to add it, I would just sprinkle a light coating over the entire area and let the chickens mix it in. You could add more later as it disappears. You might ask this question in our coop and run forums for more input on adding DE...https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Pine shavings, straw and shredded paper are all great bedding materials. Sand (in my opinion) , pine needles, hay, cedar shavings and kitty litter are all bad materials.

DE is good at killing parasites attached to chickens.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[drumstick diva]

It seems that people are fairly divided as to pro or con with DE. Personally I've never found it to be any good.

 

[gander007]

Alright hope you are finding everything you need