Poop, deep litter, dirt run...etc. Indulge me?

[gale65]

When I had chickens before, they were in an enclosed run and I honestly don't remember doing anything about the poo. Seems like it just worked its way into the ground or something. I only cleaned out the actual coop area which at the time, had straw in it. Right now our run is full of grass so until that's gone, we aren't doing anything because it's not easy or even possible to pick up all the poop in the tall grass and weeds. DH doesn't want to put anything down-he thinks it'll be ok just leaving it. We'll see though.

 

[limabean]

I've been thinking of sand - but does sand interfere with the functioning of compost? I have a compost bin, not a pile, so it's fussier.

 

[gale65]

Quote:
Most people who use sand don't put the sand itself into the bin. They just scoop out the poo (think kitty litter) and put the poo only in the composter. However, I can't imagine that a little sand would hurt the compost though. Where we live our yard is all sandy dirt.

 

[limabean]

Gale65, thanks - given that it's been a week and I've only seen a couple of poops, it does seem to be getting worked in by the chickens.

 

[BeckyandHerBrood]

Most of what goes into the compost bin at our house is the poo. The little bit of sand mixed in does not seem to be makin a difference.

 

[limabean]

I was thinking it would work like kitty litter, but wondered if the bits of sand would be a problem - glad to hear it's probably fine.
I think I will leave it as is for now and add sand if it seems like it needs it.

 

[dbounds10]

I use sand in my run and so far have done nothing more than till it with the tiller a couple times and also "scratch up" the surface with my rake. They like to dig around in the freshly turned dirt. They have been out there for almost 8 weeks and no smell. I also use sand in the coop so I do have a large scooper if I every decide I want to pick any poop up from the run.

 

[triplepurpose]

My coop has a covered run, and I use DLM in the henhouse and in the run (with straw). They also have a larger pasture outside, divided in two sections which can be rotated as needed. In the parts of those pastures that get the most traffic, I planted several clumps of lemongrass, which I can cut and drop in those parts, to control the muddiness situation during rainy periods (it also smells nice).

A lot of things can work for you. Mostly it depends on the size of the space, the climate, the number of chickens, the availability or lack thereof of different bedding materials, and the amount of work/money you want to put into it...

I think you have the right idea though--that is, if it doesn't stink of feces or ammonia, your doing "OK." Good luck

[edited for clarity]

 

[limabean]

Lemongrass, interesting!

What is DLM? (nnevermind, duh, deep litter method)

Hey, look at that, dbounds, you DO have what looks like a cat litter scoop on a long pole - where did you get that?

 

[ChickyLoo]

Quote:
I told DH the other day that I wantedto put scratch down in the coop for to have them turn it. He thought it would be harmful for them because of the poo

we have a dirt floor it stays open this time of yr. I rake it out & add wood chips or leaves seems to work great so far. I'd like the girls to give me a hand turning it too though. A.yone else use scatch on their floor?