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Using The Deep Litter Method In The Chicken Coop – What, Why, and How?

The deep litter method is becoming an increasingly popular way to manage a chicken coop. And since the deep litter method helps to keep chickens warm in the winter, this method is beneficial for your birds in the summer and winter months.

clean and cozy chicken coop filled with colorful chickens utilizing the deep litter method

Utilizing the deep litter method in your chicken coop offers numerous benefits for both the chickens and owners alike, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a low-maintenance solution to the question of how to take care of chickens, as well as those who are simply wanting to give their birds a healthier environment.

But what exactly is the deep litter method? How does it work and why should you consider implementing it in your chicken coop?

In this article, we’ll look at what the deep litter method entails, the reasons why you might want to use it, and how to properly set up and maintain your own deep litter system in order to get the most out of its many advantages.

Let’s get started, shall we?

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What Is The Deep Litter Method?

If you’re learning how to take care of chickens, you’ve probably come across the deep litter method. The deep litter method is utilized by chicken owners all over the world with great success.

But what exactly is the deep litter method?

In short, the deep litter method is a method of maintaining cleanliness in your chicken coop without having to scoop out all the chicken droppings on a daily or weekly basis.

Rather than emptying out your chicken coop or run every couple of days, you will instead keep adding clean bedding or litter to the top of your chickens’ soiled floor.

By piling up clean bedding and mixing everything together, the top layer of bedding will eventually break down and become composted, creating a layer of nutrient-rich soil on the bottom.

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This system not only makes owning backyard chickens easier and more efficient for owners, it is also healthier for the chickens.

Rather than living in an environment that is constantly wet and soggy due to the accumulation of droppings, they will be living in a much drier area. Plus, if you’re trying to winterize your chicken coop, know that with this method, the bedding material helps to keep their feet warm and dry in the winter months.

Benefits Of Using The Deep Litter System In Your Chicken Coop

There are numerous benefits to using the deep litter method in your chicken coop or run.

1 – Better Air Quality

The deep litter system also helps to improve air quality within your chicken coop. The layer of bedding material helps to absorb ammonia and other harmful gases that can be produced by your chickens.

Additionally, the deep litter system helps to circulate air within your coop, which can help to reduce the risk of respiratory problems in your chickens.

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2 – Less Work for You

Another benefit of using the deep litter system is that it requires less work on your part. Unlike other methods of chicken coop management, the deep litter system only needs to be turned and replenished once every few months.

Additionally, you will not need to clean out your chicken coop as often when you use the deep litter system, as the bedding material will help to absorb any waste produced by your chickens.

3 – Recycle Chicken Manure and Create Valuable Compost

Utilizing the deep litter system also helps to recycle chicken manure and create valuable, rich compost. The bedding material that you add to your coop will help to break down any waste produced by your chickens.

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This decomposing litter can then be used as fertilizer for your garden or flower beds. Just add it to your compost pile every time you deep clean out your chicken coops (every 6-12 months).

4 – Keep Chickens Warm in the Winter and Cool in the Summer

Did you know that the deep litter system helps to keep your chickens warm in the winter and cool in the summer? That’s because these materials compost fairly quickly. The deep litter method is a great way to prep chickens for cold weather.

The decomposing litter and bedding material provides insulation against extreme temperatures, making it easier for your chickens to regulate their body temperature during colder months.

Additionally, because the bedding material is often cooler than the air temperature within your coop, it can help to keep your chickens cool in the summer months as well.

5 – Reduce the Spread of Disease Amongst Your Chickens

The bedding material that you add to your coop can help to absorb waste and bacteria produced by your chickens, reducing the risk of bacterial infections within your flock.

If you’re looking for an easy and effective way to keep your backyard birds happy, healthy, and disease free, give the deep litter system a try!

6 – Cheaper in the Long Run 

While the initial cost of setting up a deep litter system may be higher than other methods of chicken coop management, it is generally cheaper in the long run. This is because with this sustainable method, you will not need to purchase as much bedding material over time, as the bedding material will break down and compost itself.

And if you use suitable materials or bedding materials that you already have lying around (grass clippings or dead leaves for example), you’ll be saving even more money on your homestead!

7 – More Nutritious Eggs

Another benefit of using the deep litter system is that it can help to produce more nutritious eggs. The deep litter system helps to create a microclimate within your chicken coop that is warm and humid, which is ideal for the development of strong eggshells.

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Additionally, the deep litter system can help to provide your chickens with a source of grit, which is essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption.

8 – Fewer Pests

Generally speaking, one of the primary benefits of using the deep litter system in your chicken coop is that it can help to reduce the number of pests in your coop, especially flies. In addition to using something like a homemade fly spray, the deep litter method can go a long way in preventing flying pests and insects.

The deep litter system uses composted litter and creates a layer of bedding material, such as straw or wood shavings, that can help to discourage pests from taking up residence in your coop.

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Additionally, the deep litter system can help to create beneficial microbes that will absorb any odors that may attract noxious pests to your coop.

And when you add a little diatomaceous earth to your bedding, your risk of pests goes down even more. Then those that do take up residence are easier to spot and remove, both by you and by your scratching raptors. Chickens love digging through the bedding to find any unsuspecting critters that would make a delicious meal.

How To Set Up And Maintain The Deep Litter System In Your Chicken Coop

Now that you know a bit more about why the deep litter method is so beneficial for both you and your chickens, let’s take a look at how to set up and maintain the deep litter system in your chicken coop.

It doesn’t really matter what type of coop floor you are working with when you start the deep litter method.

You can have dirt floor, wood floor, concrete floor, or whatever. It doesn’t really make a difference. The beneficial microbes and the decomposition process will remain the same no matter what lies beneath.

The deep litter system is an immensely popular way to keep your chicken coop as clean and hygienic as possible. It’s easy to get started – just layer the bottom of the coop with straw or wood shavings (or another suitable material) and make sure that it’s loose and fluffy!

Once that’s done, top it off through the year with more bedding when it becomes too matted down. We usually top ours off every 6-8 weeks. Keeping the litter deep prevents odors from getting out and eliminates excess moisture which can be dangerous for your chickens.

Refresh (as in do a deep clean and replace) the entire system every 6-12 months for optimal results – you will be surprised at just how simple and refreshingly easy this process is!

What Kind Of Litter Do You Use For Chickens? Prime Deep Litter Method Materials

There are very few limitations to the type of bedding material you can use in your bird coop.

Some of our favorite deep litter materials have been:

  • Straw (fresh or leftover)
  • Hay (old stuff that’s not fit for animal feed – can even be slightly moldy (read – slightly)
  • Grass Clippings (these can be wet or dry grass clippings – just dump your lawn mower bag inside your coop!)
  • Old, Fallen Leaves (rake the leaves, pile them in a box or wheelbarrow, and dump them in the coop as-is!)
  • Pine Shavings
  • Sawdust
  • Pine Needles
  • Hemp Bedding

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Any combination of these materials is also welcome – don’t feel the need to stick to just one! So long as you use a high carbon litter material, you’re good to go! But whatever material(s) you use, remember to keep the material light and fluffy.

What About The Chicken Droppings?

Good question! The deep litter method is especially effective at absorbing chicken droppings, which keeps them away from your chickens, minimizes odors, and makes cleaning easy.

To help the process along even more, you can add a thin layer of diatomaceous earth (food grade) over the top – this will absorb any additional moisture or ammonia buildup and keep any obnoxious pests from moving in.

When properly implemented, the deep litter method will effectively take care of all chicken droppings and any stinky ammonia smell that otherwise would be wafting from your backyard coop.

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And that’s the basics of The Deep Litter Method! It’s an effective and easy way to keep your chicken coop clean, hygienic, and pest-free – all while making sure that your chickens are comfortable and healthy. So go on, give it a try!

Does The Deep Litter Method Smell?

It might surprise you, but the deep litter method actually produces very little odor! This is because the bedding material used will absorb any odors coming from your coop and keep them from becoming overpowering.

That being said, we still recommend giving the system a good refresh every 6-12 months for optimal results – this way you can replace any old, compacted bedding and keep the entire thing smelling fresh.

How Long Does The Deep Litter Method Take?

The amount of time required to maintain the deep litter method will depend on the size of your coop and how much bedding material is used.

Typically, you will start seeing (and smelling) results after the second pile (as in – the second time you add new, fresh bedding to your coop or run.) Plan on investing 20 minutes or so every few weeks (we go between 6 and 8 depending on the weather).

If you start noticing an unpleasant odor coming from your coop, you know it’s time to add more bedding. And when the smell starts coming back after just a few days rather than a few weeks, or when the litter starts getting thick and piling up more than just a few inches, you know it’s time to refresh and deep clean.

How Deep Should Litter Be In A Chicken Coop?

The deep litter method calls for a bedding material layer of between 2 and 10 inches, as this provides plenty of space for your chickens to scratch and dig.

Any deeper than that, however, and you run the risk of creating an environment that is too moist, which can lead to unhealthy bacteria growth – and we certainly don’t want that!

Can You Do The Deep Litter Method In A Small Coop?

Absolutely! Even a small coop can benefit from the deep litter method. So long as you can easily get inside to mix things around, you’re good to go!

All you need to do is make sure that the bedding material layer never gets too thick (usually no more than 8-10 inches) and that you are refreshing it as needed – this way, your birds will have plenty of fluffy, dry bedding to enjoy!

What Are The Disadvantages Of The Deep Litter System?

There are not many disadvantages to the deep litter system. The biggest issue for most backyard coops is going to be space. If you have a very small coop and you can’t easily get inside to mix up the new bedding, you are not going to be a fan of the deep litter method.

Additionally, if your coop setup does not allow for proper air circulation, you may need to look into other methods.

But overall, the deep litter method is a brilliant and cost-effective way to keep your chicken coop clean, hygienic, and healthy – with minimal investment of time or money. So give it a try – we promise you won’t regret it!

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Charlene has been dabbling in and learning about the homesteading lifestyle for almost 20 years. She recently started a real-world homestead with her extended family and is excited to share 20+ years of knowledge and experience with the world!

While she certainly doesn't know everything about homesteading and is learning more every day, she is excited to learn and grow along with YOU!

Charlene blogs about about homesteading at https://secretlifeofhomesteaders.com/.

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