crealbilly
Songster
I need to look into this deep litter method, my coop has a removable tray I am going to fix it tues and wed, as it has rotted (TIN FLOOR) it will coated in rubber this time. I raise red worms as well, maybe this would allow me to be shed of this tray or drawer.
Truth be known... I only change out the litter once a year. It's pretty deep I would say a good foot or so deep now. I do take a pitch fork and flip it every so often when I think it needs it but I mainly just sprinkle barn lime overtop of it.
It's a really simple method. Lay down 3 or 4 inches, sprinkle barn lime when it starts to get ripe. Then add another layer and more barn lime when that layer gets ripe, keep going with the layers and lime. Flip it with a pitch fork every once in a while and add more barn lime.
I'm going to change it out this fall after it cools off some when I won't sweat my *** off doing so.
I get all the sawdust and wood chips I want for free since I own a sawmill and do quite a bit of woodworking. Just use non-toxic wood chips and dust, pine, maple, sycamore works well. Don't use toxic wood chips and dust like black walnut, I also heard cedar is bad but I have a layer of that down also and had no problems. FYI... Most "exotic" woods (wood from over seas) are toxic. But if your in doubt have a look here ---> http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/article/toxic-woods.aspx
Oh I wanted to add spent deep litter makes great soil amendment for the garden, it's really high in nitrogen makes for really green bushy plants... just don't get any on your plants it will burn them, its best to till in to the soil a few weeks prior to planting.
Last edited: