Starting deep litter - can I use store bought compost

[LadyMay]

As a base layer beneath my shavings/straw to kick composting off well or is that a bad idea?

(I've read people leave a little bit of composted litter in the bottom of their coop after they clean things out, in prep for their new deep litter - but I have a brand new coop so I'm wondering if this will introduce happy bacteria to assist the composting?)

 

[chicmom]

I only use the deep litter method in the winter time, because it helps bring up the temps in the coop.

 

[aart]

If your coop floor is healthy 'living' soil, you shouldn't need any 'starter'.

 

[needlessjunk]

I'm going to piggy back off of this if that's okay. I was thinking about enclosing the bottom of our coop in hardware cloth. Is that bad if doing DLM?

 

[AmyPaperlady]

I think store-bought compost is sterilized.

 

[LadyMay]

Oh shoot (thanks Amy that's what I was wondering).

My coop floor is plastic, my run is dirt.
Guess it'll have to compost the old regular way with no starter help...

 

[AmyPaperlady]

Shovel in some of the dirt from the run

 

[LadyMay]

Ok! Good idea!