Nightly droppings & deep litter method

[JackE]

Jack - Love the design of your coop. How often do you add new bedding? Do you just add on an as need basis based on the look of the litter or do you do it every time you turn it ?

Thanks, I'll add a bag every month or so, as the litter breaks down. But I like to stir it, or have the birds do it, once a week. Twice a year, spring/fall. I'll shovel everything out and replace with new shavings.
Jack

 

[hen-at-home]

It is a nice building. Maybe open the windows a bit in the day time to air it out.

Thanks. I opened up the windows today. It's the first sunny day in many days and it's pretty warm here so I let the girls free range a bit while I worked in coop. I turned over and mixed up all the floor litter. It didn't seem too wet all over but was moist in spots under the favored roosting spots. I added some wood ash but I didn't add any more dry litter because I had some from the low areas away from the roosts that was dry and just mixed it in with the stuff under roosts. I think (hope) this should do it.

Noticed while I was observing the birds that a couple of them have bald spots on neck under beak. Must be from scratching so I think I've got a mite problem or something. Gotta treat for that now... Always something!

Thanks for your help.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Thanks. I opened up the windows today. It's the first sunny day in many days and it's pretty warm here so I let the girls free range a bit while I worked in coop. I turned over and mixed up all the floor litter. It didn't seem too wet all over but was moist in spots under the favored roosting spots. I added some wood ash but I didn't add any more dry litter because I had some from the low areas away from the roosts that was dry and just mixed it in with the stuff under roosts. I think (hope) this should do it.

Noticed while I was observing the birds that a couple of them have bald spots on neck under beak. Must be from scratching so I think I've got a mite problem or something. Gotta treat for that now... Always something!

Thanks for your help.

There is always something huh? Good luck I hope it is taken care of quick for you

 

[aggiemae]

This morning I noticed a slight ammonia smell in the coop and I know this is not a good sign.

Ammonia can actually be dangerous. Maybe more ventilation is needed, some say a square foot per chicken. Our coop has 7 square feet of venting when all the windows and door are shut and the air stays fresh and more importantly dry. Cold DAMP air is the cause of frost bite which will turn the tips of the combs black.

 

[Brookliner]

I use deep litter and poop trays filled with stall fresh I also shake some stall fresh and DE into the deep litter the stall fresh is a natural mineral that absorbs ammonia and is not harmful if the chickens eat it. I have no smell in my coop at all. Stall fresh is also called "sweet PDZ" I get it a TSC for $9. A bag. I scoop the pop trays at least every 3 days, it works great.