Questions on Deep Litter Method

[stavo]

I have an add-on question. If my entire run has a deep litter floor, and I don't plan to free-range my chickens, how will they dust bathe? Do I need to provide a tub of dirt for them to do so?

 

[aligarysmom]

I have a similar set up here. My blocks are a single row buried in the dirt so that the coop and run sit close to the ground but on the cement blocks. I did have to make the dirt around them higher as I was getting water—standing water in the run when it rained. Which could still be a problem during rainy season we haven’t survived a fall and winter and... actually it’s Oregon it rains often. Just not when you’re wanting to test out a run and coop design

Overkill on the structure it’s expanded metal sandwich between 2by4s and 1by4s. Nothings going through but I am worried about under. So far so good ...

 

[stavo]

I have a similar set up here. My blocks are a single row buried in the dirt so that the coop and run sit close to the ground but on the cement blocks. I did have to make the dirt around them higher as I was getting water—standing water in the run when it rained. Which could still be a problem during rainy season we haven’t survived a fall and winter and... actually it’s Oregon it rains often. Just not when you’re wanting to test out a run and coop design

Overkill on the structure it’s expanded metal sandwich between 2by4s and 1by4s. Nothings going through but I am worried about under. So far so good ...

aligarysmom, is your structure sitting on the blocks with just its weight holding it in place or did you anchor it somehow? Also, you built up the dirt around it higher to prevent water from running into the run? - does that also prevent rain that may come in sideways on a windy day from draining out?

 

[nminusyplusm]

I have an add-on question. If my entire run has a deep litter floor, and I don't plan to free-range my chickens, how will they dust bathe? Do I need to provide a tub of dirt for them to do so?

I put a tub in the run with dirt and a little wood ash.

 

[aligarysmom]

It’s fully covered with a foot over hang all the way around. I want some water in for the composting. Which sideways rain would be about right. It had rained and the moisture from the rain that manages to get in is minimal but yes that would stop it from getting out. The problem originally was that area was low. I may change over to sand if this doesn’t work. But so far it works well and haven’t done anything except stir once a week and throw the under roost poo in there. No smell so far.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have an add-on question. If my entire run has a deep litter floor, and I don't plan to free-range my chickens, how will they dust bathe? Do I need to provide a tub of dirt for them to do so?

I use a small raised garden bed, a cheap one, and fill it with peat moss. If the deep litter starts breaking down you'll find the birds taking dirt baths in that too. Or sometimes they'll just dig a hole somewhere and use that.

 

[jthornton]

I have an add-on question. If my entire run has a deep litter floor, and I don't plan to free-range my chickens, how will they dust bathe? Do I need to provide a tub of dirt for them to do so?

I have a tubby under the ramp where I add dirt mixed with some ash for when it's too wet in the chicken yard to dust bathe and some just prefer to use the nice sifted dirt I supply.



JT