Non-DLM'ers, how much shavings?

[danamillette]

Just a question, for those of you not using the deep litter method.
How much or how many inches of wood shavings do you have on your coop floor?
Do you scatter it or completely cover it? Also, about the only shavings that get nasty are the ones under the roosts. Any suggestions for what i can use as droppings catchers?
Thanks!

 

[patandchickens]

A droppings board under the roost works well, especially if you clean it every morning and especially if you scatter a thin layer of shavings on it after cleaning it.

Basically you just need enough shavings on the floor to prevent bare spots from opening up, b/c even with vinyl flooring or suchlike on the floor, poo *on the flooring* (as opposed to on the shavings) is much much harder to clean off. How much total depth it takes to prevent bare spots kind of depends on what your chickens do in the coop, you will just have to experiment and see what works. 3-4" is a reasonable amount to start with if you're looking for a jumping off point.

Have fun,

Pat

 

[New2Peeps]

I put down about 3/4 cup of stall dry and then about 2 inches of pine shavings down on my little 3x3 vinyl covered coop floor. No dropping boards. I just stir the shavings once a week to mix the poo in and dry it up and then I sweep it all out every 3 to 4 weeks and start over. Not messy or smelly unless it gets wet but that is rare as their water is outside.

 

[DaKid]

I place down about 2-3 inch over my vinyl flooring , no drop boards under my roost, I usually get about 3 weeks or so sometimes 4 wks before I have to scrape the floors -n-clean all the shaving out , then I mop -n- wash the floor down with bleach and water , let dry good -replace the shaving