Tell me about dirt floors and deep litter method (Pics added)

[fordmommy]

I am building the winter coop for my chickens. We got a FREE 23'x12' building off of craigslist. We brought it home and reassemled it. My DH gave me my own chicken part. 6'x12'. He put two windows in and a door with windows. Please remember, it's not quite done.

Anyway, I have a dirt floor. I put rubber around the bottom about 8" up so the OSB would not rot. Then I added about 3" of play sand for filteration. I put a removable 2'x6' about 3' from the door so when I build up the floor, the litter won't be in the way of the door. And the sand by the door can be used by them for their dirt baths. But what goes next? Hay and DE? How much? Anything else? Thanks.


Added:
I didn't want to bore everyone with all the details. But yes. I started with putting chicken wire stapled to the bottom, burried in the ground. Then I got a load of "road gravel". It was the cheapest and already has some sand in it to help drainage. Then I added the sand.

And come this fall, we are putting doors on that raised area for a little bedroom to keep extra warm in our WI winter.

 

[Omran]

Quote:
I have a concrete floor, so I have no I dea about the litter, but I want to pumb up your post, then someone else with knowledge will help you.

 

[shelleyd2008]

You could just leave it as a sand floor, it wouldn't hurt anything. DE wouldn't be a bad idea, especially where they dust at. Hay is not necessary. You'll just have to rake the poo off the sand. Did you put gravel under the sand? That helps it to drain.

 

[SimplyForties]

I'm very interested in this topic myself as it's where I'm heading with my new coop. The gravel tip is a good one. I hadn't thought of that. I don't know about the OP but I was thinking about deep litter over the sand in order to harvest it for compost a couple of times a year. So in the layer cake of gravel, sand and deep litter, where would you put the wire to deter the digging pests?

 

[Quillgirl]

I think the wire goes down first, at least all the way around the perimeter, reaching inside to 24" or so. If it isn't under the bottom ties of the building and flared outside around it (diggers start outside), then it's probably going to need to be staked down on the inside so they can't push it up when the get to it, then sand on that, then the pine shavings sprinkled with DE. I heard gravel was difficult to clean and sanitize... but I'm no expert!

 

[starforever61]

Ok I read all about the deep litter method. What you do is you put pine shavings down 2-3 inches thick. At the end of the month or when it looks like it might be getting icky, just rake the crap to the bottom and add 2-3 inches of pine shavings. As it decomposes at the bottom, the shavings will go down and you should rake it again and add more shavings. It's quite simple, and the pine keeps it smelling fresh. Twice a year, take all the shavings out until you get down to the sand, and throw it in a compost pile or in the woods so it can further decompose and help the area around it flourish. Hope this helps!

Oh, and if you left it as sand during a cold winter, the ground will be extremely cold and the chickens will be less inclined to get up for food from their roosting poles.

 

[ducks4you]

Quote:
How DARE YOU!!! Where's your website, so that we can and admire your work AND find out how do did it! please, please, post this on the website---it's FREE, 'cause your a member.

You never know whose sanity you will have saved...

 

[SimplyForties]

Love your coop & run. How nice! Are you going to put some roosts in the coop? Might help keep the nesting box area from becoming too messy.

 

[fordmommy]

My DH just ran to the store to buy me some dowl to put right above the nesting boxes. That's why I have the two trays sitting on them, to catch to poop.

And come this fall, we are putting doors on that raised area for a little bedroom to keep extra warm in our WI winter.

Like I said. It's a work in progress. Any more ideas are welcome.

 

[shelleyd2008]

You would put the wire down first, then put gravel on top of that, then cover that with sand. There shouldn't be any problem with sanitizing gravel, because it would be covered with sand. If it gets too mucky just hose it off, the gravel and sand together work as a great drainage system. I would personally cover the floor completely with wire, but at least a few feet from the sides.

You could always just clean the poo off for composting, and use yard clippings and leaves.

Pine shavings would be an extra expense that is unnecessary, but if you want to go that route, by all means. It won't hurt.