The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Sally8]

Its official! Were moving in! We are going to be renting out my old riding instructors farm. with it we get access to her pasture and barn. I don't get access to the indoor riding arena though as its being rented out for storage(Its what pays their land taxes). But that barn is HUGE(six stalls on the original side and the new side there aren't any that was added so I can build whatever the heck I want was her words lol). We get to move in as fast as March. The old tenants are moving out in February. Happy birthday to me!(Birthday is in Feb). I also might be getting a free horse. He has sway back and I wont be able to ride him as I'm too heavy but he will be a great pet horse. The place is a two minute walk to the beach. I

Now, I'm really jealous! How beautiful and near the beach too! Congratulations!

 

[Melabella]

Its official! Were moving in!

Congratulations camille on that very exciting news! Very happy for you! Fill that barn up with furry fuzzy peeps.!

everyone!

MB

 

[JeffOeuf]

On the DE -

Just my opinion - I wouldn't put in in the litter. I know this has been said before, but I want to repeat it again.

The HEALTH advantage of the advantage of deep litter is to allow the growth of beneficial bacteria, etc., and to create a composting environment. In the studies that were done about the benefits of deep litter, it's the live activity in the litter that makes it beneficial. If DE does what they claim - which is (in layman's terms) to cut/shred bugs and kill them, then the introduction of DE has the potential to stop the healthy microorganism growth in the deep litter.

Well, if you're going to repeat what you've read and speculated then I am going to just as stubbornly repeat what I've written before.

Prove it.

My understanding of DE is that the "cut and shred" is an action that happens to exoskeleton insects while the material is dry. It does not kill earthworms, in fact, it currently is in use by a great number of earthworm growers in their beds. It doesn't affect microbes or fungi, and if I've understood everything I've read, it doesn't do much of anything once it is thoroughly wet. So, what exactly is it killing that is so beneficial in your deep litter? Pill bugs? Roaches? Beetles? I can tell you from experience, DE does not slow down the decomposition of a compost pile in the least.

 

[Sally8]

We should start a pool and guess how fast before Camille fills the barn with chickens!  That is such great news!!!!! :cd :yiipchick

That sounds like a great idea only using chicken math, let see how how she'll have by the end of the year!
Only kidding, camilleathome. I planned on having 6 hens, no roosters. That was 2 yrs ago. I now have 16 hens, 2 roosters and 2 turkeys and 40 eggs in the incubator and 3 broody hens setting on 2 doz eggs. It's just madness!

 

[Arkansas81]

Congratulations camille on that very exciting news! Very happy for you! Fill that barn up with furry fuzzy peeps.! everyone! MB

Just love your icons...where do u get them?

 

[galefrances]

What is the point of the DE in the first place? Why would you add it to the DL? If DL is doing it's job, then it shouldn't be necessary, right? I'm not trying to get in the middle, I'm just trying to understand.

 

[stonykill]

What is the point of the DE in the first place? Why would you add it to the DL? If DL is doing it's job, then it shouldn't be necessary, right? I'm not trying to get in the middle, I'm just trying to understand.

you are understanding. If you aren't overcrowded and are using DL correctly, DE isn't going to be needed

 

[aoxa]

My understanding of DE is that the "cut and shred" is an action that happens to exoskeleton insects while the material is dry. It does not kill earthworms, in fact, it currently is in use by a great number of earthworm growers in their beds. It doesn't affect microbes or fungi, and if I've understood everything I've read, it doesn't do much of anything once it is thoroughly wet. So, what exactly is it killing that is so beneficial in your deep litter? Pill bugs? Roaches? Beetles? I can tell you from experience, DE does not slow down the decomposition of a compost pile in the least.

Jeff, I agree with you on that, as I use stable boy which has DE in it, and I use it solely to keep the wetness down. My litter is DEFINITELY composting perfectly. I probably have 30-40 bags of shavings in there, and it may be 3-4 inches deep at most. It keeps shrinking, so it's decomposing. Very nicely too. I've seen worms as well. My floor is dirt.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Thanks, Jeff. Have you read any others on Charcuterie? I'm going to buy one as a "go-to" reference so my real question is: Is that the one you would recommend or do you have others you like?

 

[aoxa]

you are understanding. If you aren't overcrowded and are using DL correctly, DE isn't going to be needed

Also agree with this as well. If you keep wetness down, nothing is needed, however my environment is VERY humid. litter gets damp, and this is why I use a product containing DE, but would never buy it alone (just DE). I don't believe it helps with parasites at all.

If I could find a way to keep my litter dryer, I would avoid it altogether, however, nothing else I've tried seems to help.