Texas

[yinepu]

anyone use deep litter method in TX? Does it work ok with all our pests?

Which pests?

I clean our coops once a year... so in essence we do use a deep litter method.
The coops are on the dirt.. we added a layer of mulch.. then I added bales of pine shavings on tops..
The birds keep it turned most of the time.. the only time it needs help is if it has rained into the front or side of the front of the hoop coop... which here in Texas isn't very often!

As for pests: we do still get the occasional spider.. but the ants stay out. I've never found lice or mites on our birds... no issues with flies either. I did see a honey bee in the front of the coop last spring.. but she didn't stay long.
Wasps and soldier flies stay out too.

 

[vebyrd36]

I prefer the deep litter method. I'll change it out twice a year. I'm a firm believer in seven dust. Typically sand flies can be a problem because of the crackles and pigeons in West Texas.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Here ya go.

Organic Layer 18%
Analysis
Crude Protein (min) 18%
Lysine (min) .96%
Methionine (min) 38%
Crude Fat (min) 4%
Crude Fiber (max) 4%
Calcium (min) 2.75%
Calcium (max) 3.75%
Phosphorus (min) .70%
Salt (min) .10%
Salt (max) .50%

Ingredients: Organic Corn, Organic Soybean Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Salt, Dried Kelp, Roughage Products, DL Methionine, Vitamin A Supplement, etc., etc., etc.,

Thank you!

anyone use deep litter method in TX? Does it work ok with all our pests?

I have never used it, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

~ Aspen

 

[vebyrd36]

 

[chickletteSarge]

so no NNs as of yet! but only 2 are out... one silver and one black with a red face! as for munities lol its like a survivor thing... the ones with munities dont hit the freezer camp... we have one that needs to hit that camp but it has them munities!!! lol our only crested...cookie hasnt laid an egg nor has it crowed!!! that sucka has some good munities!!! lol

 

[Aphrael]

Those are some really beautiful birds.

@LVchicks
I've only had my chickies since June last year, but I have used deep litter from the get go and have had no problems at all. One suggestion I can make though is to stay away from straw/hay for the litter. I started out with that and it doesn't work anywhere near as well as pine shavings or equine pellets do. It doesn't absorb well and is a lot more trouble to stir up. The chickens seem to prefer the shavings over the hay as well. Mine do at least.

 

[Kilsharion]

I prefer the deep litter method. I'll change it out twice a year. I'm a firm believer in seven dust. Typically sand flies can be a problem because of the crackles and pigeons in West Texas.

Ok - I keep seeing all this about deep litter method, and I still can't quite bring myself to commit to it. Particularly with our weather lately (ie. 21 days in a row of 105+ weather). With all the composting happening inside the coop, it would have to be at least 10 degrees hotter in there - making it around 115+...unless I installed an AC unit, I just don't see how it's possible. I'd love to get some information on how you manage to keep your coops cool while doing this. I'm gearing up (planning out the area, etc) for breeding and will have stationary coops for breeding, so I'm very interested!

 

[CatKai]

I totally clean out my coops after big rains & spot clean areas that need it every weekend. I add shavings as needed and do keep a lot on the floor which is dirt. As far as heat goes, I have open coops (no solid walls) in the Summer and keep box fans in the coops to keep air moving.

 

[Little Wing]

I tried it last summer but my coops got so dusty. I have very silty dirt around the coops that turns to dust quickly. This winter it hasn't been bad with the rainy weather. Soon I am going to clean them down to new dirt and add a few inches of construction sand and then put down shavings. That should keep the dust down. I did notice a difference in coop temps this winter, the deep litter does keep it warmer.

I went and picked up my trio of Black Coppers and he gave me a free roo "in case one croaks" he said. On the way back we stopped in Crosby and picked up 12 Barred Rock hatching eggs and she threw in 5 Blue Lace Red Wyandotte eggs for free!

Congrats on your hatch Sarge! I was supposed to lock down Saturday before we left and forgot! Came home to 1 hatched and 1 pipping in the incubator. Moved the one to the brooder and the rest to the hatcher. The one that was pipping last night hasn't done much since then...might of shrink wrapped him!

 

[Kilsharion]

I tried it last summer but my coops got so dusty. I have very silty dirt around the coops that turns to dust quickly. This winter it hasn't been bad with the rainy weather. Soon I am going to clean them down to new dirt and add a few inches of construction sand and then put down shavings. That should keep the dust down. I did notice a difference in coop temps this winter, the deep litter does keep it warmer.

I went and picked up my trio of Black Coppers and he gave me a free roo "in case one croaks" he said. On the way back we stopped in Crosby and picked up 12 Barred Rock hatching eggs and she threw in 5 Blue Lace Red Wyandotte eggs for free!

Congrats on your hatch Sarge! I was supposed to lock down Saturday before we left and forgot! Came home to 1 hatched and 1 pipping in the incubator. Moved the one to the brooder and the rest to the hatcher. The one that was pipping last night hasn't done much since then...might of shrink wrapped him!

Yeah - it's the extra heat that has me concerned, given how bloody hot we get down here. I think I'll just stick to cleanouts on Sat mornings. It's become a "ritual" around here and the dogs and hubby wouldn't know what to do with themselves if we broke it. **laughs** Then again, I'm also the insane person who has designed a cooling unit for my coops to try out this summer. Will be interesting to see if it works as expected.

Where did you get your black coppers? I've fallen in love with them and am seriously wanting to get a few. I'd prefer to get them from a Texas breeder, if at all possible.

Sweet on your score of Blue Lace Red Wyandottes. I love my silver laced girls - they are the sweetest things. So far, though, none have beat out my BRs for temperament.