The Deep Litter Method of Chicken Waste Inside the Coop
What is the Deep Litter Method?
It is a method of chicken waste management which involves droppings and bedding material to compost inside the coop instead of being cleaned out and replaced regularly.
With the deep litter method, a carbon-based litter such as pine shavings absorbs nitrogen from the chicken droppings, which ferments in an odor-free process to produce a rich, humas just the same as a traditional compost pile.
I personally can not allow droppings to built up inside my coops, I'm sure if executed properly the deep litter method could work.
The Deep Litter Method could be a time saver for those backyard chicken keepers that use traditional types of litter, but it also can be a health hazard to the chickens if implemented incorrectly. If you choose to use the deep litter method, it should be well understood and properly managed.
It is definitely not a hands off waste management system.
When managed incorrectly, deep litter will produce toxic ammonia gases, harbor parasites like capillaria worms and harmful bacteria, endangering the health of the flock.
Deep litter that is too dry will be dusty and can carry airborne spores that are harmful to a chickens respiratory health.
I prefer to use sand for litter.
If you have any questions or comments on this post, please feel free to leave it below.