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

[fordmommy]

Quote:
Yep. I did all that.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

That's REALLY nice for a FREE building. What's your hubby putting in on the other side?

I would sprinkle down some Stall Dry or DE and mix it with the sand. The chickens will do a lot of scratching, so you don't have to worry about mixing too much.

I wouldn't use straw. It's not obsorbant at all. In the winter, I would put down wood pellets and aspin (or pine) shavings for a little more warmth.

Speaking of warmth - I wouldn't use a dowel as a roost either. The chicks would have to grip it all night. At the least, for full sized chickens, I would use a 2" x 4" with the wide side up so the birds can rest right down over their feet,

I'm currently using a left over piece of plywood that's 6" wide by 5' long for my eight.

They love to stretch out on it and have their whole underside resting on it. The down side is they get poo on it that I scrape with the kitty litter scoop every morning.

I'm considering switching to a 2 x 4.

 

[sportsterchick]

I second the idea of not using the dowel rod. I did that when we first built the coop, the poor chickens were sliding trying to hold on to it. Not a good idea. The 2X4 is much better.

 

[fordmommy]

My chickens didn't like the 2x4 so I had a old curtain rod that was 2", made of plastic, but it has groves in it. They love it! All 8 chickens sit on it at night. Won't use the other. That's why I went with the dowl in the coop. Weirdo chickens!

 

[fordmommy]

Can anyone else tell me about the deep litter method?

 

[astylishgirl]

I put shavings and DE over my sand floor. In the evenings, I spread a little chicken scratch and the chickens keep the shavings stirred up. If I think it needs it, I will go in and rake it. I hate a bad smell, so I use the DE and add fresh shavings when needed. Amazingly, there has been very little odor.

 

[fordmommy]

Thanks everyone. Any other ideas?

 

[Suburban chick farmer 09]

Wow great find on the free building. Looks like you've done some nice work too.

Sorry, I don't have any answers on the DLM. Maybe with me bumbing it back to the top someone else can help.

 

[SimplyForties]

There are LOTS of threads on this topic. If you don't get any more responses, I'm sure you can find what you're looking for by doing a search on deep litter method.

 

[chickluvr]

I have gravel on the bottom of mine, with pine shavings and grass clippings on the top. There is no smell until you rake it up. But there are millions of flies! I havent ordered DE yet, but did read somewhere you can use agriculture lime instead. That might be more readily available at local stores than DE. But the sand sounds good. Will have to try that underneath the pine shavings. I think the reason mine smells is that it has been raining here and the pine shavings never really dry out. Doesnt work if you live where it is humid or rains alot.