TIME IS FINALLY HERE- LITTER METHOD

[mpoland33]

I've been waiting to buy a new house before I took the plunge to get chickens and it's finally here, we're settled and I'm looking to start building my coop so it's ready for spring. I know it's been talked about here before but I want everyone's advise.

My coop is planned to be a 4x6 coop inside with a run around 6x16 or 6x24..havent decided yet. Inside I'm planning on using wood floors with linoleum on top of the wood. I'd like to figure a way to put a poop board inside that's removable to clean (that question will come in a different post).


Anyway, my big question is....what litter method works best for everyone? Sand, pine, or deep litter? I'm in Maryland if it makes a difference.

I wanted to do deep litter but found out it really only works on dirt. I'm just looking for a low maintenance way to provide litter that doesnt stink.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Smaller coops can be a nightmare in winter, so something to think about. Bigger is always better, especially if your birds need to be locked inside during bad weather.

Are you asking about inside the coop or run? I like deep litter in my run. Sand requires good drainage and maintenance.

In the coop we use shavings, in my big shed we use gravel, and top with hay in the winter. Many ways to do it. You may have to try a few things before you figure out what works for your situation.

 

[Blooie]

^^^-------- Yes. What she said.

 

[Moqwack]

I run about 2inches of sand then deep litter pine shavings. I have dirt floors that’s why I went with a thin layer of sand. I find wood chips don’t hold moisture like straw

 

[Chickassan]

You can do deep litter in a smaller coop,mines 6×8 but it's everyday matinance. I scoop the poop and turn the litter everyday in the winter.

 

[lazy gardener]

I wanted to do deep litter but found out it really only works on dirt. I'm just looking for a low maintenance way to provide litter that doesnt stink.

It's more difficult, but you can do deep litter in a standard floor coop. Just be sure you build your coop TALL enough. And build your pop door at least 8" above the floor. DL is much easier to manage, and far less smelly IMO.

How many birds are you planning to have? What will the height of your coop be? Have you considered increasing size of coop to 4 x 8? This will make better use of your building materials, resulting in less cuts. If I were building a small coop, 4 x 8, shed style, walk in, would be the smallest coop I would consider. I would also want a nice big roof overhang on all 4 sides.

Keep in mind that the minimum recommendation for size is 4 s.f./bird in coop and 10 s.f./bird in the run.

 

[Blooie]

I think it's important to understand what @Beekissed pointed out so well - the difference between "deep litter" and "deep bedding". Wish I could find that thread now because it explained it so well.

 

[mpoland33]

Smaller coops can be a nightmare in winter, so something to think about. Bigger is always better, especially if your birds need to be locked inside during bad weather.

Are you asking about inside the coop or run? I like deep litter in my run. Sand requires good drainage and maintenance.

In the coop we use shavings, in my big shed we use gravel, and top with hay in the winter. Many ways to do it. You may have to try a few things before you figure out what works for your situation.

Thanks. 4x6 is probably as big as I can do for now. On a budget and building from pallets at this time. I would be talking bout inside the coop. It is going to be on a hill but drainage as far as the soil goes is not the best.

 

[mpoland33]

You can do deep litter in a smaller coop,mines 6×8 but it's everyday matinance. I scoop the poop and turn the litter everyday in the winter.

What do you use in your deep litter? pine shavings?

 

[mpoland33]

It's more difficult, but you can do deep litter in a standard floor coop. Just be sure you build your coop TALL enough. And build your pop door at least 8" above the floor. DL is much easier to manage, and far less smelly IMO.

How many birds are you planning to have? What will the height of your coop be? Have you considered increasing size of coop to 4 x 8? This will make better use of your building materials, resulting in less cuts. If I were building a small coop, 4 x 8, shed style, walk in, would be the smallest coop I would consider. I would also want a nice big roof overhang on all 4 sides.

Keep in mind that the minimum recommendation for size is 4 s.f./bird in coop and 10 s.f./bird in the run.

Thanks. I think 4x6 would be it but I am going to crunch numbers to look into a 4x8. I would be having 6 hens....so I would be within the parameters and well within the run parameters.

Height I HAD thought about 4' because I'm building with pallets but I think I could easily go higher with your recommendation. I didnt even think about that. with the DL method, how high would you recommend with a 4x6?