should i use the deep litter method

[chickenmama109]

i i was wondering if i should use the deep litter method in my run. but in stead of shavings i heard someone on here saying sand was better what type of sand she i use. thanks

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I love, love, love sand! I have it in both the coop and the run. Make sure you use natural river sand, not sandbox sand. You want course grains with little pebbles and you want to get it already washed. I got a truckload from the local quarry here in Southern Ohio. It was $5 a ton (I got 13 tons) with a $90 delivery fee.

For my 8x12’ coop, we used about two tons and have about three inches on the floor and two or three on each poop board. For the 8’x16’ run, we used about six tons and have a solid six inch base.

The coop smells fresh even after a night on the roosts. And, it’s easy to clean with a kitty litter scoop (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BFOHQEC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) or a long-handled wok skimmer (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZXGLW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Easy peasy!

 

[chickenmama109]

Thanks

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I also use PDZ Stall Refresher in the coop and run. It’s a natural mineral called zeolite. Keeps everything dry and smelling clean. You can get it at your local farm store.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Here’s a pic of the sand in my run. You can also use washed construction grade coarse sand, but I got lucky and found a local quarry that gets the natural river sand. The girls love to scratch and bathe in this stuff, plus, I don’t have to supplement with chick grit!

 

[aart]

Deep litter and sand are 2 very different ways to bed a coop or run.

Deep litter is not just shavings but a mix of sizes, shapes, materials of mostly dry plant matter. It will break down the poops and the smaller materials making great compost to fertilize a garden. It needs little maintenance if a good mix is used and added to infrequently.

Sand needs to be cleaned frequently, daily if not more often. Nothing will really decompose. The tiny pieces of pulverized poops that cannot be sifted out will eventually saturate the sand and stink badly when damp. The sand, once saturated with said pulverized poops has little use and is a big job to move and replace.