Deep Litter Method for chickens
If you are looking for ways to keep your flock warm this winter, this guide on the Deep Litter Method for Chickens will help. Get tips on this old-fashioned shortcut to help your coop stay warmer in the cold.
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Every year, like clockwork, winter comes. There is cold, wet snow and below-zero wind chills. In the beginning, I used to worry about our chickens. I wondered if they were warm enough or dry enough, and I would research ways to keep the cold and wet out of the coop.
One of the best tips I found was the deep litter method. It worked so well that I added it to our winter prep routine after that first year.
What is the deep litter method?
The deep litter method is an old-fashioned shortcut that helps keep a chicken coop warmer during winter. It involves layering fresh bedding on top of existing soiled bedding, creating a deep composting effect.
As the bedding thickens with additional layers, it insulates the ground of the coop, helping to keep the chicken’s feet warm and dry.
Why we love it:
The main reason why I love this method is the flock does the work for me. As the chickens scratch and move around in the coop, they mix and aerate the layers, helping to generate heat and break down waste.
It saves time and effort because you don’t have to clean out the coop in the cold winter or heavy snow. Instead, you add fresh bedding on top, which absorbs any dampness or odors from the soiled bedding below.
It creates a natural heating system. The composting process generates heat, helping to keep the coop warm without using electricity or other artificial heat sources.
Deep Litter Method for Chickens
Add this routine to your fall list to get your coop winter-ready.
#1. Start with a clean coop
Before starting the deep litter method, ensure your chicken coop is thoroughly cleaned. This means removing all old bedding and any components and scrubbing the floor and walls. A clean coop will provide a good base for the deep litter method to work effectively.
More Coop Cleaning Help:
- Chicken Coop Cleaning Schedule
- Best Chicken Coop Cleaner and Deodorizers
- Chicken Coop Cleaning Hacks
#2. Add a layer of straw or wood shavings
The first layer you add to your clean coop should be either straw or wood shavings. This will act as the base layer and help absorb moisture from the droppings.
I prefer wood shavings as they are easy for me to clean out in the spring. Straw can be harder on the back, but you can make it easier if you use a pitchfork when cleaning out the coop.
#3. Let the chickens do their thing
As your chickens go about their daily activities, they will naturally scratch and mix up the bedding, helping to aerate it and start the composting process.
#4. Add more bedding regularly
Every week or so, add another layer of fresh bedding on top of the existing bedding. This will help absorb any excess moisture and keep the composting process going.
#5. Spot Clean
When you do your daily chores, if you see a heavily soiled area under the roost or near the food, take the time to remove that area and add fresh bedding. I keep a bucket in the coop along with a shovel so I can do these spot cleans as needed.
#6. Watch for Dampness
It’s important to monitor the moisture levels in your deep litter method. If it becomes too wet, add more dry bedding to absorb the excess moisture. If it becomes too dry, sprinkle some water on top to activate the composting process again.
#7. Watch for Odors
Get into the habit of smelling your coop when collecting eggs. If there is a strong smell of ammonia, that is a sign you need to add a neutralizer to the coop floor. You can use baking soda, fresh herbs, or purchase Coop Refresher to help.
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#8. Clean out in spring
The only downside to the deep litter method is a heavier clean-out come spring. You will need to remove all the bedding collected over the winter, and this can be a pretty big chore to tackle.
Be sure to enlist some help for this job from your family, or you can hire a neighbor boy or farmhand to help.
Where can you use deep litter bedding from a coop?
One of the best reasons why the deep litter method is so popular is that the bottom layer is composted down and ready to use around your homestead.
#1. Amending Soil
The composted bedding can be used as mulch in your garden soil to add nutrients and air. The nutrients will help the soil be healthier for growing plants. The air will help the soil stay loose and allow rainwater and plant roots to move freely.
#2. Mulching
As your garden grows, you can use bedding as mulch. This will add nutrients to the plant’s roots and prevent weeds from growing.
#3. Chicken Run
If you have an enclosed run for your chickens, you can add some of the bedding to any lower areas, helping to keep it dry in the spring rains.
#4. Compost Pile
Since the top layers of the bedding are not entirely composted, you can add it to your existing compost pile. The high nitrogen content from the chicken manure will help speed up the composting process and create rich, nutrient-dense soil for future use.
The deep litter method is a great way to keep your flock warm in the winter and create compost to use in your garden come spring.
Tips for Maintaining Deep Litter Bedding
One of the biggest issues with the deep litter method is the odor. Use these tips to keep things smelling fresher throughout the winter months.
#1. Add Fresh Bedding
Every couple of weeks, add a layer of fresh bedding on top of the old bedding. This will help absorb any excess moisture and prevent odors from building up.
#2. Use Scrap Boards
Place scrap boards on top of the bedding to create a dry area for your chickens to walk and dust bathe. This will also help prevent them from scratching up the bedding too much.
#3. Keep it Dry
Make sure your coop has proper ventilation to keep the litter dry. Moisture can quickly lead to an ammonia smell and unhealthy conditions for your chickens.
#4. Use Herbs or Essential Oils
Adding herbs or essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or lemon can help naturally deodorize the coop and keep things smelling fresh.
#5. Stir it up
Every now and then, use a pitchfork or rake to stir up the bedding. This will help aerate it and prevent clumping, which can lead to odors. Be sure to wear a mask and have your flock out in the run to prevent anyone from breathing in the dust.
The deep litter method provides an effective and low-maintenance way to keep your chicken coop clean, insulated, and odor-free throughout the winter. By regularly adding fresh bedding, spot-cleaning wet areas, and adding natural deodorizers as needed, you can maintain a healthy environment for your flock.
Not only is this tip a timeless classic in the coop, but it is also a good one for the garden.
More Winter Guides for the Coop.
Where we live, the winters get bitterly cold and over the years I have learned some great tips that have helped my flock stay warm and dry.
