Chicken Coop Deep Bedding: 1 Year Review

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Over a year after starting the deep litter system inside my chicken coop, here are my thoughts and opinions!

[@bananashowtime]

Deep bedding also heats up .. so all you cold climate chicken owners.. free heat

[@shikhalemuel6802]

Where I live in PA it does not heat up.

[@tamaradevault9333]

Thank you for wearing a MASK! I have always wore one when cleaning my coop (every 6 months, Layering method, pine shavings and DE, adding more every month). A year ago I FORGOT to mask up! Bad mistake! 2 months later was VERY SICK. I got and will always have scaring from it, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. Bird Keepers Flu. Still have to go to my pulmonary doctor but doing ok. WEAR A MASK PEOPLE! Take care. Good video!!

[@ChanyataFarm]

Holy cow! Glad to hear you’re doing better. I definitely like to be cautious around all the manure

[@gerrymatheson4020]

Don't use DE in your bedding (or anywhere it'll get stirred up very much. A bit added to the dirt, ash and sand in your birds dust bath is ok...but adding to the litter interferes with the balance of microbes/microorganisms if you're doing the deep litter method...and with any method is likely to get stirred up and inhaled...hard on lungs...

[@pickinyacotton1609]

Whats De?

[@pickinyacotton1609]

Damn can us noobs get pro tips too?? lol

[@kristinesmelody]

@@pickinyacotton1609 diatomaceous earth

[@sarahallen2518]

We love deep bedding method. Just cleaned our coop out last month. I would say that if you can leave about 10% of the old liter it will help jumpstart your microbe population which helps break the poop down faster inside the co-op. We also layer. Start in the spring with DE and shavings and just add more of both throughout the year as needed. Never have any issues or smell!

[@timnoone3118]

Your correct,chickens poop 70% of the time while sleeping. I use the deep bedding system but also put a pop pan under the roosting bars. The pop pan takes care of most of their waste and the deep bedding takes care of the rest.

[@ChanyataFarm]

That’s a solid idea, Tim!

[@gerrymatheson4020]

But you want that poop feeding the microorganisms that are part of the balanced ecosystem/biome. Let it all fall to the floor litter. Save yourself the clutter and hassle of messing with a poop board or litter tray...

[@blackmagic8115]

What’s a pop pan?

[@RedSaint83]

That seems counterintuitive to the reason why you'd do deep bedding in the first place, but you do you.

[@lorenmeyer5290]

I'm using the deep bedding in my coop! It's working great for me too!

[@shamonewilson6216]

I learn a lot from your videos. Thank you

[@hugeslacker]

I've read that you should only replace half at a time, because what's growing in the decomposing bedding is actually helpful to break down the new poops, as well as combat pests like mites and fleas.

[@ChanyataFarm]

You read right! I definitely should have left more in there. That is how we have done our subsequent clean outs!

[@TallCArabians]

Wow. For the last 5 years, I've had 60+ birds. My coop has been 24x12 with free ranging during the day. I throw in a couple of bales of wood shavings once a year, then grass clippings when we mow the 3 acres of lawn, plus fall oak/pine leave & needles. I seriously cannot remember the last time the coop floor even looked like it needed to be scooped. I do have a friend who comes out and shaves down the pure chicken poop on the roosts (1x6 boards), but the floor? I don't see much. I do still try to scoop out some of it for the compost pile when I'm about to add more shavings or leaves. Currently, we've expanded our coop to 24 x 24 and have about 96 chickens and turkeys. Their "run" is 100x24, but I have pop doors in every side, so they have options to range in 2 1 acre pens and one 10 acre pen, during the day.

[@michellecross1810]

The dried live oak leaves won't add parasites and Insects to your chicken Run ??

[@mikepalucci1381]

Thanks for the informative video. I just changed the bedding (Marth Easy-Pick) in my small tractor/coop (housing 4 hens currently) last week for the first time since last fall. Floor dimension is about 8'x2.5' so one bag is sufficient. Over the winter I just raked out what I could and placed a layer of fresh straw on top. I think I could have gone a little longer before changing also but like you for some reason that 90 degree day came along and I just had to clean the coop.

[@ChanyataFarm]

We must be gluttons for punishment, Mike. Thanks for watching!

[@chuckwilliams6280]

love the door inside of a door setup you have

[@ChanyataFarm]

It’s been a great feature. Perfect for better ventilation, but we can shut it when the weather really cools down

[@johac7637]

After trying about everything for bedding, from sawdust, shavings as skid, we had a sawmill in our yard. Now after 50 years I use peat moss, and rice hulls as it's breakdown in a compost pile is rapid, and it's cost efficient, great for gardening.

[@1980shameka]

Interesting. I’ve never heard of this but I may give it a try!

[@garyvee6023]

I have been using the deep litter method for well over 2 years now..., had heaps of chickens through my coop and it is still perfect..., yes, moisture (here in Australia it is mostly rain) is your enemy. I have a board under the chickens where they roost with sawdust where I seive the sawdust off once a week and I change that about once a fortnight.

[@meganosbornharrell2769]

Great video! Thank you so much! We do deep bedding but now I am realizing we didnt have enough ventilation. I am currently building a new coop so will be sure to add more ventilation before I add the roof!

[@ChanyataFarm]

Ventilation is huge!

[@lisavarekamp8009]

Hi there, I know it's been over a year since your video but I just happened on it as I am looking into deep litter method. My husband designed the coop so I could just keep adding a new laying of pine shavings and so far it has been wonderful. I have noticed less flies and definitely not stinky. Overall the entire coop including the run is so much cleaner - don't have to worry about keeping my mouth shut in case I swallowed a fly or two.

[@PLJS2018]

We use Peat Moss, DE , and pine shavings on top. Keep moisture at bay!! We live in Ga. 32 chickens. Haven’t completely cleaned house out in 2 years. Until now. 😊

[@foggymedia]

I'm jealous. You have so many resources at your disposal to play with. Not everyone has something like a tractor on hand. Looks like your having fun experimenting and learning. Great Vids!

[@dachsymom5232]

I use my dump cart attached to my riding lawn mower. I actually reach better than he was able to...big tractor in his way. I pull my dump cart just past my coop door leaving some space for me to work. Done in 30 minutes total.

[@johnmcfarland4341]

I can tell ya that the resources come @ a $$$. But they are nice. I cleaned out my 8x40' quail brooder this weekend. That 5' bucket loader worked great.

[@Canadaheather]

Thanks for this. I’m going to fold around and see if I can find some pine chips.

[@alanhillier1033]

I’ll tell you what I think…….reckon you’ve got a lovely homestead.Your home in the distance looks superb and the chicken coop is second to none.Enjoyed the style of video so have subscribed,all the best from the UK🇬🇧

[@ChanyataFarm]

Thanks for watching!

[@d.j.robinson9424]

Those are super tips, gonna try more ventilation. I've seen a comparison of 5 mediums and hemp fibers seems the right choice for bedding, and I would highly recommend vinel flooring over your painted wood. 👍👍💚🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔

[@ChanyataFarm]

I just haven’t been able to convince myself to shell out the money for the hemp

[@d.j.robinson9424]

@@ChanyataFarm yes, I know, but it should last at least a year with deep bedding.

[@joethompson2910]

Yeah, I saw a comparison video also…. maybe the same one, as yup shredded hemp is the best performer…. Im gonna go with it, but Im building a coop from a 7x7 resin (plastic) Suncast Vista Shed from HD for $900….

[@lucilledavis1478]

Thank you for a great video !

[@danielwagner6290]

All the commentators and content creators should always mention what states you are in. Your comments will have more substance to them. What you do and how often matters a lot on what state or region you live in. What works in southern Texas for 16 months will not work the same in Michigan, Wisconsin or Canada for 16 months with the same amount of birds. Same thing with ventilation. Things don't dry out as easy in Michigan as it does in Alabama. Fog, lots of rain, air humidity can make a coop always be wet inside so change more often is needed because of that if the coop is very open and ventilated. Unless you want to wait for dry weather to dry it out and that could be weeks and months in some places. Yes, a coop can be over ventilated depending on where you live and your weather seasons. You can't build the same coop in Arizona as you do in Canada or Tennessee as you do in Michigan. If you did, I wouldn't want to be your chickens. Who wants chickens with frostbite damage on them. It's not always about moisture to prevent frostbite. Many times it's just the extreme cold that does it not always moisture in the coop floor. Just like icicles on a mustache in winter chickens breath as moisture accumulates on the beak and head area on exposed skin just like our skin in extreme cold weather. There blood has water in it and the extreme cold that's all is need to create frostbite. Most chickens need help in all the colder states whether you think so or not. They were never made for the northern states or regions naturally. That's why they don't live in any of those states naturally because they can't handle it in the wild. If they could they would already be there naturally with so many chicken owners you would think they would escape and be wild but they don't because they need help to survive in winters in many states and regions. I don't care what anyone says, chickens need help if you want to keep them in great original shape. Just because there body survived what you put them through doesn't mean it's ok to do that to a chicken. When I see people with frostbite on there fingers it reminds me of what chicken owners have done to there chickens combs, toes and waddles. Sorry for the rant. Think about it logically and fairly...

[@ChanyataFarm]

I suppose it is one extra step, but there is location information on our About page.

[@terryhamus2277]

Finally someone who has the right idea.

[@Daniel-mz1sj]

Thanks of Brasil.

[@beexdad457]

The bees like ventilation too. Seems like most animals want the fresh air.

[@jamesburt3494]

Looking good I just started doing the same thing .

[@kylecrusch2804]

I have a 12x20 coop, with a 40x40 run. Have not cleaned the coop out in 3 years. 20 birds on a dirt floor. Just throw some wheat in now and then to get the shredded cardboard and paper stirred up now and then

[@danglinghenry8108]

I have 400 birds in a 36x24 building, free range during the day and deep litter is the way to go. I just run the tiller through it once or twice a month. If it begins to smell add more carbon (dried leaves, wood shavings, straw etc....)

[@nilasspasov8417]

I love your chickens coop and runner.Will be great to see video how you build this .

[@ChanyataFarm]

There is a whole video series on us building the coop here on our channel

[@nilasspasov8417]

@@ChanyataFarm Than you..I will look at them.

[@elgatol4203]

Awesome

[@sapelesteve]

Great review! Me & my son are thinking about building a coop. If we do, we will definitely be using the deep bedding technique. BTW, do you have a coop build video?

[@ChanyataFarm]

There is a whole series of coop build videos on my channel you can check out!

[@georgia3450]

Just started my chicken journey and wanted try the deep method. It brings flies and Nats. What am I doing wrong?

[@kylecrusch2804]

My coop is about 20'x12', I use deep bedding in it. But mine is on the ground so I dont have to worry about moisture in it. I stir the bedding about once every couple of months. I also use shredded cardboard and paper for the bedding

[@ChanyataFarm]

Are you happy with the shredded paper bedding?

[@kylecrusch2804]

Yes, no smell, and easy on the girls feet. Also easy for them to move around

[@chefhef7]

After adding the cardboard, does the bedding get hot? ( making aerobic compost)

[@kylecrusch2804]

@@chefhef7 no

[@chickenguy6456]

Your system is better than mine. But I have a way smaller coop 4 by 8 . So I use shallow system. But it’s a 3 part crushed sea shell powered There’s another name for it but I can’t spell it right now cedar chips and than pine chips. Powder first than cedar chips than pine chips . Works great for me I change coop every few months the cedar chips help keep bugs out and the power helps as well

[@brittanywinn3955]

You don't want to completely clean out a deep litter system. The microorganisms in the composting litter system is really good so you should always leave some in to begin that composting process in the new bedding.

[@ChanyataFarm]

That was my rookie move! We know better now

[@1980shameka]

Thanks for the tip!

[@user-wu9sk7fs7v]

we do deep bedding but i mix it up every couple days, works great. your property looks really cool.

[@ChanyataFarm]

It’s a little slice of paradise, thanks for watching!

[@BrianMax]

I use pine shavings inside the coop. I pay my bills online and shred the bills along with all my junk mail and add that on top of the pine shavings. In the run (outdoor cage), I put bags of autumn leaves down and add another bag when they break down. I plan to use the compost on my raised garden beds, but that is a work in progress.

[@OrthodoxBeards]

Please don't use things printed with ink. Most inks contain tons of chemicals and are highly toxic.

[@BrianMax]

@@OrthodoxBeards Everything is made of "chemicals'. If you don't believe me, take a chemistry class.

[@OrthodoxBeards]

@@BrianMax Just trying to give people some solid advice, because many don't know how toxic ink can be. But hey, by all means, if you don't mind and you're not trying to raise organic chickens, they are YOUR chickens, you can do whatever you want! Have a nice day!

[@jeantardif2941]

Ink now are prepared with biodradable vegetable oil. Your infos are from 1950.

[@OrthodoxBeards]

@@jeantardif2941 nope. There are biodegradable inks, but MOST publications, especially newspapers, cannot afford to use these. My husband works in print advertising, no one knows better than he does (except the guys who work in the print line) what's in those inks.

[@Bones1220]

Your editing at the beginning was so good! I am very impressed with how well the bedding worked. Did you expect that level of success?

[@ChanyataFarm]

I was sure it would work well, but it exceeded expectations considerably! I’m trying to step my game up visually!

[@archangel7614]

Nice coop

[@jt04asong]

I have been cleaning chicken coop every 2 months. I have 14 chickens we get a lot of heavy rain and door let's them out and they seem to go. I use pine wood shaving and straw. Would wood shaving be better to keep it dryer? Sometimes the door closes on them and they are wet I going to change the door so I can open and close because weather here rains so hard. NC mountains I love your chicken coop I will be putting another coop up when rain stop. And adding more birds. I am 70 and I love my time with them raised them from 2 days old.

[@ChanyataFarm]

Wood shavings have proved to be very absorbent for us inside of the coop

[@chuly740]

One of the few times wearing a mask makes sense!

[@edv5526]

Besides the wood shavings, what else do you add to the deep bedding? Or is it just wood shaving by itself? Great video by the way!

[@ChanyataFarm]

Mainly just wood shavings. I might add some straw/hay every so often, but that is only if we happen to have an abundance that needs to get used up. The wood chips do fine on their own

[@malachigriffin3389]

Although much more expensive hemp bedding has better absorption. But the price difference doesn’t seem to justify the slight advantage

[@I.am.Mumma.Bear.1]

Interesting way to do it🤔

[@tnkimi]

Just seen your video and subscribed! I'm new to chickens, my oldest are 5 weeks old, I have my coop and run ready for them except for bedding, is the deep layer method only pine shavings? Also could you use this in the run also? Our ground stays damp all the time, so I'm trying to think of something that would work in the run, any ideas?

[@ChanyataFarm]

So yes, the deep bedding is just pine shavings. In the run itself, I use bare wood mulch. Sometimes I’m able to get the chips from a tree service, sometimes I have to buy bags of mulch from the hardware store. This has worked pretty well for us I try to keep at least a few inches of chips in the run I only add chips to the run 1-2 times a year

[@hwinny2]

Do you sell the plans?

[@johnmcfarland4341]

Add some lime. Helps with moisture and odor.

[@Towanda99]

Hemp bedding !!!is the best 🐔🐤🐥🐓

[@ricks2907]

New subscriber here thanks buddy cheers Ricky 🕺💃🎶🎵🐈‍⬛🎸👌🦃🐓

[@FarmerC]

I did deep bedding over the winter and it worked great. No smell. My coop is a little bigger and is a walk in coop. 12x8. I did the easy clean out doors and took a lot of ideas from Carolina Coops. I’m still curious on how the integration of the new chicks went. Do you have a video on that?

[@ChanyataFarm]

Not specifically on the integration, but you can see them hanging out together in my “Free ranging experiment” video

[@itscommonsense9169]

Yes they poop more while sleeping. They tend to roost in the maple tree that overhangs my patio.. every morning there's a fresh PILE. 😩

[@jopperdepopper]

Do you need a minimum amount of chickens/coop space for deep litter to work? Would 5 chickens on 12sq ft work? Thanks for the vid 👍

[@ChanyataFarm]

It should work just the same, just may be a little slower process because it won’t generate as much manure with fewer chickens.

[@troy3238]

I heard that Hemp was better than pine shavings, but you have to get the hemp. from a place in France, or you can order it from a few places in America

[@ChanyataFarm]

And it is 5x the cost at least

[@michelleeasterly1985]

We need hemp farms everywhere.. thats nuts.. hemp can change the world.

[@samburk45]

My coop is a similar size. How many chickens do you have and how manby inches of bedding did you use. Was is also just wood shavings. I have an enormous amount of pine needles available year round at my house. Thank you!

[@ChanyataFarm]

Currently we have 36 birds, 33 hens 3 roosters. We keep between 6-12 inches of bedding inside the coop. Never less than six, then we add shavings every so often until it gets to about 12”, the we start over

[@bornwhitit]

Industrial hemp

[@michelleeasterly1985]

What do you mean?

[@PainterDans]

Nice coop ! Did you stir, mix, or just add more on top when needed ? How often did you top it off?

[@ChanyataFarm]

I do stir/mix it up every so often when the manure starts to build up on top. That, and adding more shavings aren’t really on a schedule, more just an as needed basis

[@vikkitee4686]

So did you turn they bedding over regularly and add more throughout the year?

[@ChanyataFarm]

We only ever turn it over if the manure really builds up a solid layer on top, a few times a year max. We add maybe 2 times a year

[@wayneleamon3186]

So I guess that was one of those Ohio bucks I keep hearing about down here in Southeast Tennessee. Sure was pretty. Looked like a dime but he'll grow.

[@ChanyataFarm]

Wayne there are UNBELIEVABLE whitetail around here! They sure love my bean/corn fields!

[@kamikad7e]

How many times did you add bedding per month , year or other known period ?

[@ChanyataFarm]

For this whole year, not once

[@TiffanyAnnYoung]

What material did you use again for the bedding?

[@ChanyataFarm]

Medium flake pine shavings

[@glennlewman4186]

Have you ever added Biochar to your deep litter?

[@ChanyataFarm]

We have not, but that’d be fun to experiment with

[@justinnielsen9731]

Does wood chips in the run attract ants? Is this something I have to worry about?

[@ChanyataFarm]

I don’t have any issues with ants. The way I look at it, any bugs you do attract are a good thing, bugs = free food!

[@brenth.hillier5796]

Do Chicken's need to have Heating in the winter?

[@ChanyataFarm]

Mostly no. We do not provide any supplemental heat for our chickens. We also have always been sure to only get hardy breeds that can withstand cold weather. If you just do a little research on what breeds can handle the cold you should be fine. It is important that they always have access to water, stay fed, and have a place to get out of the wind when the weather gets cold.

[@harrymonk6]

Do you keep water or food in the coop?

[@ChanyataFarm]

No, only out in the run

[@Jimmythepin]

What do you use in the run?

[@ChanyataFarm]

Wood chips. Usually we buy a few bags of natural wood mulch whenever we see it on sale and add a little bit at a time when it gets scratched away by the hens

[@debbyvanderpool2595]

Just took over raising neighbors goose and roosters they no longer could care for 3 roosters 1goose have 4x4 coop use pine shavings for bedding built roost

[@ChanyataFarm]

Sounds like the start to a great adventure!

[@lisabolante7810]

You have the nicest teeth!

[@t.m.23]

Can you use barn lime in deep litter method?

[@ChanyataFarm]

That’s a good question, I’ve never looked into that. It may help break down the manure into fertilizer/compost faster, but I would be sure to do some research before you try it out.

[@farmerchick3040]

You have to use no sting but my cousin does that. Mixing wood ash in the shavings can help too.

[@1RComyn]

I'm building a chicken coop, like yours. I'm in Kentucky. Where are you located. I'm doing ventilation and I'm concerned about winter.😊

[@ChanyataFarm]

North of Cincinnati. Just be sure to get hardy breeds

[@saleen235]

I saw you grabbing the respirator and the latex gloves but you forgot to grab a Tyvek suit to handle the radioactive chicken poop.

[@ChanyataFarm]

Safety Second, Fashion First

[@saleen235]

I agree. Lol

[@michellecross1810]

Have question will dried leaves add bad Parasites and insects into your chicken run ??

[@ChanyataFarm]

Sparingly dried leaves are not a bad thing. The problem with using leaves as bedding is they are not absorbent. Once they get wet, they will rot and mold, and there is no value to them as forage either because your chickens won’t eat dried leaves.

[@therustedsouth2599]

Why do so many say not to use "pine" shavings? Thanks

[@ChanyataFarm]

I have always used pine shavings and never had any issues. I would say that you would want to use medium or large flake shavings, not the fine, powdery type. Some people swear by the industrial hemp bedding, but I just can’t justify the cost

[@therustedsouth2599]

@@ChanyataFarm Thank you for the information! God Bless!

[@AhamedIfham]

How is the smell in deep bedding system?

[@ChanyataFarm]

Very little smell. Only on the hottest, most humid days is it noticeable

[@gerrymatheson4020]

If done properly there should be no smell. If you're getting some smell the balance between carbon (litter) and nitrogen (waste) is off... add a 1-2" layer of litter (pine shavings, industrial hemp, chopped straw/hay, dry leaves, etc). Sprinkle a bit of scratch on it now and then and the chickens will do the work of mixing/stirring/aeration for you. Here's two great articles... www.plamondon.com/wp/deep-litter-chicken-coops/ carolinacoops.com/chicken-coops/standard-features/deep-litter-beds/

[@bobbilinn4712]

What ground cover do you use in your run?

[@ChanyataFarm]

Normally just whatever grass seed is cheapest at the farm supply store

[@dliu8037]

There is a lot of material in here.

[@steph6337]

I wish my husband would build me a coop/run like this!!!

[@michelleeasterly1985]

So many great you tube videos to learn how..get a girlfriend.. get your materials and start making it..most likely he will join the team if he wants breakfast..lol we can do anything they do..remember that..sometimes they just need a nudge..have fun.

[@kathyrivera444]

What's DE MEAN

[@ChanyataFarm]

Diatomaceous earth

[@kathyrivera444]

@@ChanyataFarm thank you

[@growinggringa4956]

If u need "ppe" for cleaning your coop there is something wrong. Im guessing you r just over cautious.

[@ChanyataFarm]

Better safe than sorry, thanks for watching!

[@LebannersHook]

You should wear a mask any time you're working with dust. Even plain old saw dust or dust from hay should be avoided as these increase risks of respiratory diseases and can increase risk of cancer. Not to mention all the other illnesses that can be contracted from a healthy flock. I'm guessing you're just not cautious enough and ignoring expert advice.

[@hanssmit1341]

Wondering if maybe you should have saved gas (and the environment) and carried the bedding to the compost using your muscles? Many farmers do that.

[@kathyrivera444]

What do you use in the run ?

[@ChanyataFarm]

In the run we just use wood chips/mulch. We make our own, at times we have been able to get it free from a tree service

[@kathyrivera444]

@@ChanyataFarm thank you