What is the Deep Litter Method
What is the Deep Litter Method, and how can it help your livestock to stay warmer this winter? Understand the process, how it can benefit you, and how well it works to insulate your shelters in the cold.
Homesteading tips that include caring for livestock in the hard months of the year. Learn this effective way how to protect your animals and keep this guide in your homesteading binder.
Caring for animals is ruled by the weather.
In the summer, we work to find ways to keep them cool, and when it rains, we inspect shelters for leaks so everyone stays dry.
Then comes winter, an entirely separate situation that tends to take all our attention throughout.
Keeping our animals warm is a goal for all the livestock we raise, from the youngest newest kids to the oldest senior cattle.
What is the deep litter method?
The deep litter method, or the deep litter system, is something I learned about years ago.
It is a technique for insulating livestock shelters during the winter months by creating layers of bedding inside the shelter and pen areas.
This method can be used in any type of animal shelter, from chicken coops to barns, and is especially beneficial for animals that are sensitive to cold temperatures or have trouble regulating their body heat.
I began using it a few years ago, and it has made a dramatic difference in the warmth of our shelters.
How the Deep Litter System Works
Since the floor is the coldest area in a shelter, this system works to give more protection and warmth.
You start with a layer of clean bedding in the fall, and instead of cleaning out the soiled bedding, you leave it where it is and add a layer of clean bedding over the top.
Every week, a clean layer is added to the top, creating a thick barrier.
As the animals go about their daily activities, they naturally mix and compact this material with their waste. This creates layers that act as insulation against the cold outside temperatures.
5 Advantages of the Deep Litter System
The deep litter system not only works great for your animals, but it has several benefits for you as well.
#1. Less Work
Using deep litter means less maintenance during the winter. Since the bedding stays, you will not be faced with cleaning out pens and pushing a wheelbarrow full of bedding in the deep snow.
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#2. Saves Time
It also saves you time and energy, especially during the colder months when chores are already more demanding.
#3. It Works
Additionally, this method provides extra warmth for your animals, and that means you can relax knowing everyone is safe and comfortable.
#4. Helps Your Garden
In the spring, you can easily collect the bedding from your shelters and use it as compost for your garden. It is an excellent source of nutrients and will enrich your soil.
#5. Cost-Effective
Another added benefit of this system is that it is cost-effective. Instead of investing in heat for your shelters, which can be costly and dangerous, you can use this method and watch the temp in your shelters hover at a more comfortable level.
Tips for Using the Deep Litter System
Over the years, I have learned a few tips that help to make this system more effective. Just a note: We use this method on dirt floors, wood floors, and concrete floors in our smaller pens, and it works well on all three.
#1. Start With a Clean Area
Since bedding is going to pile up throughout the winter, it is best to start with a clean surface in the fall. We do our cleaning in October, taking all the bedding out and adding a layer of lime or diatomaceous earth.
On top of that, we add a thick layer of clean bedding that is about 5-6 inches.
#2. Add to It Weekly
Add a new layer of clean bedding every week or whenever needed. You will know more bedding is needed if you smell an odor when you are in the shelter.
#3. Watch Moisture
Keep an eye on moisture levels. If the bedding becomes too wet, add more dry material to absorb it. Remember, your animals will be lying on the ground to sleep, so you want to be sure things are dry.
If you notice a wet area, just add more bedding on top.
What types of bedding can be used?
There are many different options for bedding that can be used in this system, including straw, wood shavings, sawdust, or hay.
Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to do some research and find the best option for your specific situation.
Some things to consider when choosing bedding include cost, availability, absorbency, odor control, and ease of cleaning.
We prefer to use wood shavings in smaller areas like our sick pens and chicken coop and sawdust in our large communal pen. Where we live, sawdust is very affordable, just $1 for a 100-pound feed bag full. The drawback to sawdust is that it’s dusty so we do not like to use it in small, confined areas.
The Drawback of the Deep Litter System
One potential drawback of the deep litter system is the work you will be faced with in the spring.
If you have a large barn with a lot of animals, the bedding you will have to clean out in the spring will be quite more than what you may be used to.
Also, bedding that has been sitting for months in a barn is thick and hard and can be a chore to remove.
To help, you may want to hire a few young, strong boys to assist you with the spring clean out.
Overall, the deep litter system is a great way to keep your animal shelters warm and dry during the harsh winter months.
By watching each area for signs, you need to add more bedding, you can keep the ground dry and the air clean and fresh.
