Dos and Don'ts for the Deep Litter Method for your Chicken Coop

[@horselover9884]

Love the comparison to sourdough- thank you!!!

[@sarahbennett7338]

Hi, thank you for helping beginners like me! I wondered if you do the same method for both your coop and your run? I’m not sure what to do in the run, and I can’t tell from some of the videos out there. Thank you!

[@splitarrowfarm]

We have been similar with the run. But we also put in a lot more of “table scraps”, garden scraps and half is not sheltered from rain and snow so it’s a little different but we haven’t had any issues yet

[@sarahbennett7338]

@@splitarrowfarm Thanks for the reply!

[@josephfields42]

Please check your volume, thanks for the video.

[@splitarrowfarm]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed!

[@urbangardeningandchickenke1018]

Excellent video with lot of information

[@splitarrowfarm]

Thank you!

[@maryanndenobrega9512]

I've done the deep litter method now for over 5 years. However this year for the first time I began to smell ammonia. Watching this help me to figure out that I really needed to start with the pine shavings before I added the straw. I do turn it each day. I wondered what illness the chickens can get besides bumblefoot. The litter is right under their roosts only. I never see them scratching in it. They are too much in a hurry to go out in their big run

[@splitarrowfarm]

Hi Maryann, so happy to hear that this is helpful! I did also notice that our chickens don't scratch much under the roosts either. Although they scratch in majority of the coop outside of that. Turing everyday will definitely help with this!

[@maryanndenobrega9512]

@@splitarrowfarm went out this a.m. as usual, turned under the roost and put a better foundation of pine shavings... Thanks again

[@pretendfarm]

Very informative ☺️

[@splitarrowfarm]

Glad you think so! Thank you!

[@scottgilliamprettysureihea3757]

I've been using the deep litter method for years and love it. Here's the misconception, in very many applications, such as waist high hen houses with solid wood or plastic lined floors composting absolutely does not occur. It is necessary to have a mass of 3x3x3 minimum for internal temps to reach 140 degrees. With 4 to 12 inches flat, it is not possible. Stick a thermometer in there, check it out! Watch closely, the vast majority of folks cleaning out these coops annually or longer are pulling out dry, dusty, spent chicken litter. True compost will drip water when squeezed in your hands. When the litter is dry and dusty as mentioned, microbes simply cannot survive to multiply. In actuality, the litter, carbon, dries out and neutralizes the poop, thus no small, no flies. Many suggest throwing feed on the poop to get the hens to do the work of turning. Personally, I don't want my birds to be encouraged to eat where they shit. LOL. Its not hard to turn, I suggest doing it yourselves. Clean your coop as needed , ALL of it. No need to leave ANY of it in there. Remember, no microbes. Now it's ready to be put into a compost pile or spread sparsely around the property. All that said, a true composting deep liter system is possible but only when placed on earthen ground and birds are placed on it 24/7 and not allowed to free range and bedding is allowed to become 2 to 3 feet deep. The one in this video does appear this way. Your results may vary. Good luck!

[@splitarrowfarm]

Great tips here!

[@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 👍

[@splitarrowfarm]

I don’t see any issues with this you might just need to turn the deep litter a little more often to make up for the smaller amount of chicks!

[@jopperdepopper]

@@splitarrowfarm fastest KZbin reply ever! 😜 Thanks, good to hear! Gonna give it a try! 👍

[@urbangardeningandchickenke1018]

just joined your channel

[@splitarrowfarm]

Happy to have you along for the journey!

[@carlamahlberg1854]

Is hemp ok? And can you start early fall

[@splitarrowfarm]

Not sure what you mean by hemp, but any type of brown compost material should work. The earlier you start the better so it can start to warm up!

[@corruption2.066]

Hemp is the best for the deep litter method. Expensive though

[@kylecrusch2804]

I use shredded cardboard in my coop for the deep litter

[@splitarrowfarm]

Love this!

[@KHomestead]

@kylecrusch what do you use to shred your cardboard?

[@robbieoneill4364]

You’re so gorgeous

[@splitarrowfarm]

Thank you, Robbie!

[@perkinshomestead]

Please your introduction from "starting a homestead or small farm" to welcome all homesteaders. In truth, homesteaders from every walk of age and time homesteading will be watching this, not just people new to homesteading. From someone who is twice your age.

[@splitarrowfarm]

Hi Perkins Homestead, thanks for the advice here.