Deep Litter Method Explained - How Many Hemp Bales for 8'x6' Henhouse

A customer walk through of a 8' x 24' American Coop in Siler City, NC with a Dutch door, an 6' x 8' henhouse, and a heated poultry water system. This large walk-in chicken coop has a covered run, is predator proof, and has our signature deep litter system.
In this video Matt and the customer figure out how many 44 lbs of industrial hemp is needed for the 6'x8' henhouse. In the video, Matt explains how the deep litter system works and how it makes everything easier, it's really a set it and forget it system.
This coop also has two 8-foot roost bars, and two 5-gang egg hutches, so with free ranging it could house up to 20 chickens comfortably.
carolinacoops.com/
919-794-3989

[@burtonwillis6454]

In love with the transom or vent windows above the hen door looking at the coop from inside the run. 😍😍😍

[@tinacarmichael5649]

You guys always amaze me with these awesome coops and all the helpful information you provide I can’t wait to one day be apart of the Carolina Coop family 😊

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

Thank you Tina! We hope you will be soon! Please let us know if you have any questions.

[@cirocobama]

This time I liked the customer even more than the coop. What a nice guy!

[@CrazyMooseManor]

Awesome coops. Awesome videos.

[@gameheelgal]

We LOVE our new Coop! And so do the chickens! Thanks for shooting this video!

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

Thank you Robin! Thanks for choosing Carolina Coops and please let us know if you have any questions and keep in touch, we're family now!

[@GinaLay]

I love your setup!

[@OakKnobFarm]

I'm currently building a coop that follows a similar design. 6x16 overall with a 6x4 coop on stilts and 6x12 outdoor run. I'm about 50% done with the construction. Thank's very much for the video. Seeing the qty of bales needed was handy. I'm about half the size, so 2 bales should be plenty!

[@mattdg1981]

Likewise here brother. Currently building one 6'x10' built off of a 6x6 treated base sitting on the ground. It also has a 4'x6' enclosed coupe similar to what is shown here. Can't wait to get my birds outta the house ( currently 3 weeks old)

[@OakKnobFarm]

@@mattdg1981 Awesome, sounds just about the same size as ours Good luck with the flock!

[@melissasteiner6211]

Absolutely amazing Looking chicken coops I wish I could afford to have you come out to my home.

[@bradlewis9050]

I'm wondering if a thermometer can be introduced to the inside of your coops, so owners can manage things in the winter (in the northern states) etc. So, that owners can manage the cooling/ventilation system etc. There has to be a optimal temp, for happy chickens?

[@nikkoshay5403]

I would use hay as their nesting meterial. It shapes really well and it really helps keep the eggs clean.

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

We agree! Thanks for watching

[@josemontalvo4532]

Your advice is always spot on! Thank you for sharing! Do you have a catalog?

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

Thank you! We have our coops and lots of photos on our gallery pages on our website. carolinacoops.com/

[@0505abab]

Great video very impressive

[@0505abab]

Geniuss on the screen doors

[@EverydayArtByBrittanyGunter]

Can yall do custom hen house without the run. I need one for a small flock but have a run built. My coop was suppose to be for 6 hens but really only has space for 3 tops inside

[@samisgrandma7010]

I have a couple of questions for anyone willing to answer. My husband build a 4x6 coop with a 20 foot run based on these designs, (Thank You!) He set up an auto feeder, waterer, and deep hemp litter; and was going to teach me about how to manage it after I returned from taking care of my mother out of state for a couple of weeks. Well, he unexpectedly went home to the Lord before I got back. I have 11 hens and one rooster. I know nothing about chickens and find myself on a very steep learning curve. First question is do I need to clean the run? They have worn all the grass away and it's just dirt now. When it rains it does have a slight smell, but once it dries it doesn't. Secondly, when I turn over the hemp, am I supposed to go all the way to the bottom of the hemp to turn it over or just the top half? I've been doing it once a day all the way to the bottom unless it raining (I skip that day), is that okay? Thirdly, am I supposed to spray water on the hemp once in a while to keep it slightly damp? Last question is am I supposed to add animal grade diatomaceous earth or First Saturday Lyme to the hemp? I don't know if you've answered these questions in other videos or not. I know my husband has watched just about every one of them. But I'm trying to manage so much that I never had to before that I just don't have the time right now. Thank you so very much.

[@davidlgti1]

Would love to order some hemp bales. We have a wet coop when it rains. Is hemp able to dry out?

[@tshandcrafts9018]

Do you guys ever sell just your plans? I am NOT carpenter friendly and would love to build a coop with the 'bones' of yours IE how you do the hen house but the nesting box bigger because I feel like having to bend/crouch down to get eggs would get annoying real quick.. but I want to be able to some how make mine look like a tudor house

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

We don't sell our plans currently, but hope to do so in the future.

[@meekainc]

Gorgeous! 🇦🇺

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

Thank you!

[@CarolinaGirlCreationZ]

How come not just put one bale in at a time and then once it gets messy, add another bale on top? I thought that's what deep litter method was. Where can I find that sort of bedding? Also, how would one block off the nesting boxes until they are old enough to lay so they don't try to sleep in those? Beautiful coop and run!

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

You can do that, but we like to start with about 4-6 inches of the industrial hemp (the beds are 12" deep), and add some more as it breaks down and starts to smell. We sell the industrial hemp on our website: carolinacoops.com/product/hemp-bedding/ and on Amazon, shipping costs will be different depending on where you live. www.amazon.com/Carolina-Coops-Industrial-Hemp-Bedding/dp/B07HJC79HQ/

[@victoriarybicki6782]

Thank for the video.Very helpfull l plan on having chickens in the spring tring to do everything as safe and economical as possible ( without sparing cost for healthy happy chickens) May I ask how much your coop cost.

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

Hi Victoria, thank you for comments and for watching our video. The American Coop prices and options can be found here on our website: carolinacoops.com/shop/american-coop/

[@vasilesimplicio1356]

Carolina Coops Videos coop cost

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

@@vasilesimplicio1356 please see the link in the above comment.

[@ronaldlopes360]

I had a question. Can snakes slither up the wire exterior up and through the little holes between the roof and roof rafters into the coop?

[@hygqueensav]

I was wondering that same thing, or mice

[@carlamahlberg1854]

Where do you get the hemp from?

[@irenephoon8169]

Hi, We are building our coop with a similar design like yours and planning on using hemp with the deep liter system too. What's the difference between local Industrial Hemp and yours that is imported from France? How do you charge for shipping to California? Thanks!

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

Hi Irene, the hemp we get is from a different part of the plant and is much softer than the other industrial hemp we've used in the past and have seen. However, that being said, industrial hemp that is locally grown makes an excellent bedding for the deep litter system.

[@04DynaGlyde]

Thank you for the videos. How much hemp for a 6x4 coop? And what is preferred adding hemp on top of smelly bedding or turning it for the deep litter method?

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

We recommend two bales of hemp for that size. Put in one bale to start and add from the second bale during the year as needed. We also suggest both, adding on top, but also turning it every once in a while because the stuff on the bottom breaks down so well, it's like new! Hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@Pam_Doddridge]

Do you guys make coops for silkies, they are special and don’t like climbing ladders.

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

Hi Pam, we have made coops just for silkies with lower roost bars. Actually the ladder and perch bars in all our coops is because of silkies.

[@alanalcantar10]

Is anyone going to ask how much that coop was?

[@natebauer4447]

How is the hen house supported underneath? Is it just 2X4/2X6 with screws or do you use joist hangers? Are there concerns on how much weight it can hold?

[@natebauer4447]

A second question, how do you anchor the hen house/run to ground or is it just floating?

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

@@natebauer4447 there is wood structure under the henhouse, the HDPE is cut to size and put inside the henhouse on the floor and screwed on the sides. If you look at the DelRay Beach Florida coop video, you will see a full grown tall man standing inside the henhouse.

[@michaelbobbiharris2587]

If you have duck coops can you do a KZbin video on those?

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

Hi Michael, we have two videos on our channel with duck coops. Please subscribe so you can always see the latest videos from us. Thank you.

[@ronlepow5579]

can the chickens access the part of the run that is under the coop?

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

Yes Ron, that's exactly why we do elevate the henhouse, to give that extra space for the run.

[@mrykzgrl1]

The deep litter method makes compost if I am understanding it correctly. Compost creates heat. Is there any concerns for people who live in warmer climates? I am in Texas and heat is an issue. I have some shady areas but to deep shade. I would love your thoughts. Your coops are gorgeous!

[@serenahiggins1849]

Read with Lollie There are two kinds of composting, aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic is where you turn the material over and introduce oxygen. Anaerobic is where you let the material sit and you don’t turn it over. This will not introduce oxygen to the compost and it will not produce heat. The deep litter method is the anaerobic process so it will not produce much, if any, heat.

[@diffasmr2296]

Do you sell the blueprint of this coop?

[@hollychamberlain4116]

I've been doing deep litter (ish) in my brooder for the past month with your hemp. Because I can't make it deeper than a few inches, I've been scooping some out occasionally before adding more. I've filled a kitchen-sized trash bag so far with what I've scooped out. When I get the coop ready in a couple of weeks, should I add all of the poopy brooder hemp to the coop at the bottom of the pile and then pile fresh hemp on top of it?

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

That sounds like a very good idea. Absolutely!

[@hollychamberlain4116]

Will do! Thanks for responding!

[@wheepingwillow24u17]

Where is the ordering info on that Hemp?

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

carolinacoops.com/product/hemp-bedding/

[@nogoodnecktie12]

Thanks to Covid a supply issues you can’t even buy the hemp or it’s 80$ for 30lb. Will pine still work with the deep liter system?

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

yes pine shaving will work with the deep litter system. Hemp will always be pricey, but certainly if its use was more mainstream, the price would go down. Thanks for watching.

[@nogoodnecktie12]

@@CarolinaCoopsVideos where can I get it your out of stock and most other places ?

[@lynn4205]

So what do you use if all you have is sand.? I live in a sand pit called Florida

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

If you are talking about what to put in the run, we recommend adding a soil mixture or any organic materials, like leaves, grass, or wood chips. For the deep litter method, we always recommend hemp bedding.

[@logannewman7141]

If one can’t afford the hemp what do you suggest that is economical?

[@kylecrusch2804]

I use shredded cardboard and shredded paper. Shred your wife's Amazon boxes and any other cardboard that comes into your house. And shred all your junk mail ...add as needed to the coop

[@dariend6368]

Person inquiring about hemp compost?? It's labeled as industrial hemp bedding. Compost is the byproduct after the chickens have done there magic. The used bedding is used as compost after you clean the coop

[@dirthawg1]

I use the deep litter method in my coop using industrial hemp. After the first 3 months the chicken droppings just balled up and didn't decompose. We stir the litter once or twice a week. Wetting it down appears to have helped. Do you recommend adding water, or leaving it dry?

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

Dirthawg I am actually very glad you asked that because one thing that I don’t Magine very often about the industrial hemp is you actually are supposed to missed it to activate the absorption and micros do you need moisture to help with the composting I get nervous sometimes mentioning that because I don’t want people to add too much water and over the years of practicing the deep litter system we have never had at Coupe that needed to have moisture added to it

[@sharoncourt75]

I dont use deep litter i have a small coop, i ckean 1 a week and add some poweder baking soda for the smeel, i use shavings in the nesting boxes with sage or rosmery branches, if yiu have a small coop rosting area not run they will.keep them selfs warm

[@jrob8764]

What are the dimensions of the roost bars.

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

j rob all of our roost bars for standard chickens are 1.5” x 2.25” x the length. We rip a champfer cut along all four corners to help make it more comfortable for the the girls. When it comes to roost bars I believe you want to keep them wide enough so they can protect their feet from frostbite during winter months.

[@jrob8764]

@@CarolinaCoopsVideos Thanks for the quick reply.

[@gxgaming5232]

Using lime discourages animals including the apron which we introduced in the 70s. The nest boxes need straw. Each box should full of straw.

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

We don't know many chicken owners that would trust just putting down lime to keep away predators, and we don't advocate that at all. We did say in this video and all our videos to use straw in the nest boxes. Anything to encourage their natural instincts. Thanks for watching.

[@wheepingwillow24u17]

JUST FOUND OUT THERE ISN'T ANY HEMP COMPOST, FOR REAL?

[@freemichigan2657]

Why the heck is hemp so expensive

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

Mostly because the US won't allow farmers to produce it without jumping through a lot of hoops, since it was classified in the same class as marijuana (in 1972 under Nixon). Farmers used to grow hemp and during the war were encouraged to do so. There are so many uses and it's a fast growing and sustainable plant. So hopefully the future of hemp will be brighter and the price will come down. We will say that we are the only ones who sell the 44 lbs bales and two bales will last over a year and is much better for your chickens, so in the long run it's worth the price tag and it's not as expensive as you might think if you add up how long it lasts and how it can contribute to your flocks' health.

[@Miguel195211]

Why not give them the caribbean latch? After the big expense of the coop the latches are insignificant money wise. Why cut corners!

[@bobstuart9716]

I think you mean ‘Carabiner’ like used for mountain climbing.

[@christinearmington]

Isn’t there a hemp industry starting up in NC? Maybe you won’t have to import in the future. 😊😎👍

[@CarolinaCoopsVideos]

There is, but it's still very small and only done through schools and cooperative extensions. Hopefully we will have a source in the US that we love soon.

[@kennethsolis6057]

1:35 what the hell is screaming