straw for DLM

[richardpfox]

I was wondering if straw/hay alone is good for using the DLM?
I'm new to this and live in San Diego California. We have pleasant weather year round, so I have a place for my chickens to run free and a larger "house" for them to lay and sleep? I built a 7x4 by 5' coop, can I hold more then 6 hens?

Thanks,
Richard

 

[Dar]

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't quite follow your set-up. If you have another place for them to lay and sleep, what are you using the coop for? Feed and water? Shade?

With your weather and them being able to roam full time, I'd think, yes, you could easily handle more chickens, but not sure how many. The roosting area may be your limitting factor.

For the deep litter method, you need a litter that can easily be raked by you and scratched by the chickens. Straw tends to mat. I believe most people use pine shavings, but chopped straw would probably work.