What are the best practices for caring for chickens? Let’s take a look at the deep litter method.
When I first read about the deep litter method for chicken coops, I breathed a sigh of relief. Our winters aren’t brutal, but on the weeks when there is a foot of snow on the ground, it’s harder to clean out our chicken coop.
That’s where the deep litter method comes in.
However, before I make any changes to animal care, I like to conduct thorough research. If you’re reading this for the same reason, you’re in the right place!
Here are some key considerations for the deep litter method.
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What is the Deep Litter System/Method?
The deep litter method is a bedding method. It gets its name from the layers and layers of bedding you add when your current layer becomes soiled. The goal is that the top layer is always dry.
Every chicken owner has a preference for the bedding in their coop. But the deep litter method can truly be a mix of quite a few mediums. Since this is a method popular in the fall and winter months, dry leaves make the list as a bedding option.
I have personally experimented with shredded paper and dry grass clippings as bedding methods for my chickens. Shredded cardboard and pine pellets are also options.
Other common bedding options include pine wood shavings (avoid cedar shavings! Some chickens can’t tolerate cedar), dry pine needles, and straw bedding.
Again, the goal is to bury any manure and urine under a dry layer of bedding.
Pros to the Deep Litter Method
When you add all of these organic materials to your chicken coop, it creates an excellent base for compost. As your chickens fertilize (read – poop) on the organic matter, that adds another layer to the compost.
You might ask, “How does the deep litter method compost?” The answer is beneficial microbes.
The fungi, yeast, and beneficial bacteria that make up beneficial microbes eat the ammonia and other byproducts within the chicken coop. This cuts down on the harmful effects of those waste products and converts them into an environment primed for healthy decomposition.
What’s great about these microbes is that since they’re tackling the “bad” parts of waste, they’re in essence cleaning the environment for the chickens.
Another positive to the deep litter method is that you, too, are cleaning the chicken coop. Every time you introduce fresh bedding, you are removing moisture and introducing a dry, clean place for your chickens to live in.
Cons to the Deep Litter Method
If you live in a wooded, wet area as we do, you’ve probably noticed bugs in your garden or around your chicken coop. Usually, we get slugs and worms, which act as fun treats for our chickens.
However, when you use the deep litter method to keep your chickens warm, you may also attract other critters looking for warmth. Most commonly, roaches, beetles, mice, snakes, flies, and even lice.
That last pest is key. Not only is attracting pests a con to the deep litter method, but you could also be attracting pests that can cause disease or injury to your chickens. If you aren’t consistent in cleaning out your coop or you aren’t actively fighting against pests, this is a silent way you could be introducing pests into your coop.
Cleanliness is another con of the deep litter method. Obviously, the goal is to keep your chickens warm and dry, particularly during the cold. But if you aren’t adding dry bedding when it’s appropriate for your flock (I have 20 chickens, so I might have to add bedding more often than someone who only has 6 chickens), your bedding won’t be dry.
Cleanliness is critical here because, if you are using the deep litter method during the winter, the ammonia gases from chicken urine can irritate a chicken’s respiratory system. While chicken litter is supposed to be dirty, we don’t want it to be wet! We achieve a clean coop by keeping it dry or frequently removing wet chicken litter.
A wet floor may also not work if you have a wooden coop floor, as this could lead to early floor degradation. If you do have a wood floor and would like to try the deep litter method, consider lining your floor with vinyl or plastic.
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Importance of Adequate Ventilation
If you keep chickens, you know that respiratory issues are almost guaranteed. Ammonia isn’t the only culprit – a dusty coop can be just as damaging!
Dust in a chicken coop can come from a variety of sources. If you have dirt floors and you’re experiencing a drought, you can kick up dust. If your chickens are molting and feathers haven’t been removed, that can kick up dander or dust.
Finally, bedding can be a contributing factor. Kiln-dried pine shavings are a popular bedding option because they’re a low-dust option, but that doesn’t mean they’re totally dust-free.
When you make sure your chicken coop is properly ventilated, you remove all of these issues. You can ventilate a coop by including windows, a fan, or a cross draft.
Does the Deep Litter Method Work?
During the winter months, you can expect to see a decrease in egg production. But if you are seeing a consistent decline or no eggs at all, you might want to reconsider the deep litter method. Egg production is the most obvious sign that your hens are happy with what you’re doing. Listen to them!
Another thing to consider is how humid or moist your environment is during the deep litter method. If you find that you can’t properly control the moisture in your environment, it might be time for a change.
Finally, it’s important to have a pest management plan in place prior to starting the deep litter method. What will you do if you find bugs or snakes? What if your flock contracts mites or parasites?
Not only is it a great idea to have a plan in mind for how you want to best treat your birds, but it’s also the responsible thing to do. You are creating an environment where, if not properly managed, you can introduce pests to your flock. Have a pest management plan in mind to keep your flock healthy.
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More Great Info for Backyard Chicken Keepers
The first winter we kept chickens, I was a nervous wreck. Were they warm enough? Was I feeding them what I should? Will they survive?
Luckily, I’ve learned how to manage my flock in the area where I live. And the anxiety around keeping animals has reduced with every key piece of knowledge I’ve learned!
If you’re looking for knowledge, check out these other great blog posts!
To see the products we use for our chickens, check out my Amazon Storefront.
How to Care For and Keep Chickens Warm During the Winter
How to Use Diatomaceous Earth Around Chickens
Tips for How to Safely Transport Chickens
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