I have 25 chickens in a 8X12 coop, free range. I use pine, a smidge of cedar and some shredded paper. Have been adding all winter a little at a time but have not had any smell yet. I have lots of ventilation and I make the birds turn their own bedding.
During the recent cold snap my birds were in their coop 24/7 for about 2 weeks...the longest they had ever been confined. It still didn't smell bad and the chips are dry and fluffy. I've never used anything but the chips and such as a drying agent.
Last year I had used straw and hay and it was a smelly, wet mess after just a little while. I gave up and just cleaned it all out. Went with a bare floor since until this winter. LOVE this deep litter this year and I think the key was the shavings instead of hay or straw.
I will be repeating the DLM with the pine shavings each winter....my birds have stayed warmer, no frostbit tips this year. The coop is noticably warmer, even during the single digit days.
During the recent cold snap my birds were in their coop 24/7 for about 2 weeks...the longest they had ever been confined. It still didn't smell bad and the chips are dry and fluffy. I've never used anything but the chips and such as a drying agent.
Last year I had used straw and hay and it was a smelly, wet mess after just a little while. I gave up and just cleaned it all out. Went with a bare floor since until this winter. LOVE this deep litter this year and I think the key was the shavings instead of hay or straw.
I will be repeating the DLM with the pine shavings each winter....my birds have stayed warmer, no frostbit tips this year. The coop is noticably warmer, even during the single digit days.
