Should I clean the coop out (Deep Litter Method)

[Johntodd]

Hi! I've had my litter in the coop since March. It is going very well and is a nice place for the chooks. The litter is nice and thick.

My question is, should I clean it out for the winter? I have half a round bale of hay on standby to add more in. I was considering NOT cleaning it out so that the litter would generate more heat during the winter. The coop is well ventilated and I turn the litter every day.

If I don't clean it out, then I would wait until next March to clean it out. I understand some of you only do this once a year anyways.

Your thoughts?
-Johntodd

 

[ChickenMammX4]

We have Deep Litter in the (covered) run and clean it out each spring to till into the garden. Our coop is Deep Bedding (pine shavings) and gets cleaned out spring & fall.

 

[Hensndoes]

Just cleaned mine out! Leaves are falling so added other stuff to get it going again. Flock is super stoked about it too. It's a spring and fall thing here.

 

[Johntodd]

Will there be a problem if I wait until March?

 

[Eggcessive]

It won't be harmful to empty the bedding, and add new right now. I usually do that during the last of the nice fall weather. Being cooped up on snowy or very cold days will bring about more droppings and ammonia odors which can be harmful to breathing and to eyes. A lot depends on how much room you have and how many chickens. There are pros and cons to deep litter, and you will get many opinions here on that subject. I have tried deep litter, but now prefer to clean out once a month or every other, and adding clean pine shavings. A dirt floor is the best floor surface for deep litter, and pine shavings, not hay or straw are best to use to prevent mold, moisture, and mites. The following link is from someone who does a lot of research and has good info:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/10/the-deep-litter-method-of-waste.html

Here are some more opinions:
https://hencam.com/henblog/2013/12/why-i-dont-use-deep-litter/
http://www.grit.com/animals/chicken-health-deep-litter-zm0z13jazgou

 

[hlhutchinson]

We have Deep Litter in the (covered) run and clean it out each spring to till into the garden. Our coop is Deep Bedding (pine shavings) and gets cleaned out spring & fall.

I also have deep bedding got our chickens in May, I was just planning on cleaning it out once a year, think I should clean it out before winter hits? I have 4 chickens in a 4x4 coop with a 4x10 run

 

[RonP]

Will there be a problem if I wait until March?

Your nose will tell.

My coop is also well ventilated, over 1 square foot of ventilation per bird.

As such, dry...

I clean out the spent pine shavings once per year, mid fall.

Deep bedding, about 8- 10 inches to start.

I do not experience any foul odors.

 

[hlhutchinson]

Your nose will tell.

My coop is also well ventilated, over 1 square foot of ventilation per bird.

As such, dry...

I clean out the spent pine shavings once per year, mid fall.

Deep bedding, about 8- 10 inches to start.

I do not experience any foul odors.

So far no smells so I think I'll wait till after winter, and hope I don't have to do a clean out mid winter

 

[GinaNew York]

I'm just starting with this and have been reading so much I'm crosseyed - but we're going with the deep litter method and using wood chips from tractor supply the flakes actually. here's a great article http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/10/the-deep-litter-method-of-waste.html she doesn't recommend hay or straw on the floor because of the mold it creates - I'll have more to share shortly as this weekend the chickens begin a new life in a new coop

 

[aart]

Good post and discussion on the difference between deep litter and deep bedding.
TalkALittle's post on DB vs DL: http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1075545/can-i-do-deep-litter-method-with-this-coop#post_16440037

I use dry shavings in coop...meant to dry poops, not 'compost' them.
Also use a poop board that gets sifted daily.
Don't want the moisture needed for true composting in my coop any time of year.

But I have semi-deep litter out in run, a good balance of sizes and shapes and materials to do cold compost....the chickens provide the 'green'. The dry shavings in coop get added to run in the fall and fresh shavings go in coop for winter.