Some chicken lovers may be accustomed to throwing away their old chicken bedding and sometimes replacing it with new and fresh material, but there are so many ways to get more life out of your bedding. Whether you use highly absorbent hemp bedding, wood shavings or just straw and dried leaves, a deep bedding system is one of the easiest ways to keep your chicken coop clean and offers limitless benefits for you and your garden.
What is a deep litter system?
A deep mulching system creates a clean and safe compost pile in your chicken coop or run. This is done by leaving a thick layer of bedding in the coop or running over it and adding more bedding on top as the first layer breaks down. This essentially creates a system where the old litter dissolves and enriches the soil, which in turn saves you the money and hassle of having to buy and replace the litter regularly. Some poultry enthusiasts proudly describe it as the "old-fashioned" approach to using chicken litter. In many ways, a deep litter system is more sustainable, easier to maintain and more cost-effective compared to many other approaches to using animal litter.
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How does a deep litter system work?
As previously mentioned, the deep mulch system works according to the formula to add more matter to the top layer, keeping the garden clean while the lower layers begin to break down and nourish the soil below. This process usually works when the chickens scratch, peck and peck at the litter underneath, which in turn mixes the material in, promotes aeration and as a result the material develops harmless and healthy parasites that feed on chicken manure and litter.
What are the advantages of a deep litter system?
Parasites, chicken manure, rot, old litter – creating a deep litter system doesn't sound fun, but I can assure you that the benefits are numerous and it won't compromise the cleanliness of your backyard.
Neutral flavor
Although it may sound strange, a deep litter system reduces "bird" odor when caring for chickens. This is because chickens normally scratch and mix old and new litter together, while the parasites feed on the chicken manure. This helps eliminate any unpleasant odors.
Easy to maintain
The irony of the deep litter system is that it is one of the cleanest ways to care for your chickens, but requires very little cleaning. Sometimes chickens will naturally scratch and mix in the materials. But if too much manure or old litter seems to be accumulating at the top, just mix it in with a rake, shovel or any other large mixing tool you can find. Be sure to only break up the large clumps that may form as this will restrict airflow through the deep soil system, which is crucial to its success.
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Kills flies and mosquitoes
Another surprise is that a deep litter system will help eradicate flies and mosquitoes in the garden. Again, the parasites grown in the deepest layers of this ground cover system will devour any fly or mosquito larvae before they even form.
Chickens will love it
As many chicken lovers know, chickens love to scratch and peck at the ground with their beaks and claws – it's the perfect way to relieve stress and boredom between a life full ofbusy egglaying eggs and eating chicken feed. If you have had problems with feather pecking, pecking order disputes or other destructive chicken behavior, a deep litter system may be the perfect solution.
Ideal for the garden
In many ways, a deep litter system is like a compost bin in your chicken coop, and it's important not to forget all the wonders that healthy compost does for your garden. Many people will end up spreading the beautiful, rich and nutritious compost they have created through the deep waste system in their gardens to give their fruits, vegetables and flowers a powerful boost.
While there are certainly several reasons to fall head over heels in love with your deep litter system, ultimately it will help eliminate flies and odors and save you time and money while creating top-notch compost, not to mention keeping your feathered friends there. will love. !
How do you start a deep litter system?
It is incredibly easy to start a deep litter system. First you need to choose a type of bedding for animals. Hemp litter is a particularly good choice because of its high absorbency. So simply place a thick layer of bedding in the coop or row, at least 10-12 cm deep. The wisdom is: the deeper, the better. So if you have the space or mulch available, don't be afraid to add "too much."
Some chicken enthusiasts also draw a small mark on the inside of the coop to indicate how much bedding they should have in the cage at any given time. Naturally, the bedding will develop parasites and begin to dissolve. However, all you have to do is simply add more bedding as time goes on.
How do you maintain a deep waste system?
Maintaining a deep litter system is quite simple and does not require much labor at all. Here is a list of some basic tasks when maintaining your deep ground cover system.
- Stir the litter with a rake or shovel and break up any large clumps that may form.
- Add more ground cover if necessary – don't be afraid to add different types of ground cover as they become available to you, such as hemp bedding, wood shavings or even grass clippings.
- Some enthusiasts spread treats, such as cracked corn, over the top layer of bedding, which encourages the chicks to scratch and peck at the surface, mixing in the bedding.
- Clean the coop every six months to a year and move it to the compost or garden. It's a smart idea to leave a small amount of chicken grit at the bottom of the chicken coop because it still harbors hungry parasites that will quickly spread when you add the next layer of chicken grit for the coming year.
Although the deep soil system is very easy to maintain, you must be vigilant and aware of signs that it may not be working properly.
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What should I avoid with a deep litter system?
In general, one of the main signs that the deep bedding system may not be working is a strong odor. The wisdom is that if the garden smells a little on the pungent side, chances are the manure is accumulating and not being consumed by the parasites. In this case you will need to go back to the drawing board and change the base to make sure the bedding you are using is suitable and that you have added enough to the hutch. Some other things to keep in mind are…
- Avoid any form of insecticide, such as diatomaceous earth, which will inadvertently kill all the precious parasites you need to eat the manure.
- There are some conflicting opinions about how a deep ground cover system holds up in wet weather. Some think it's fine, while others think it causes problems. Ultimately, be careful when it comes to water. A small amount of water is generally fine and shouldn't cause too much concern, but if your farm or coop is exposed to a lot of tropical storms, it may be a good idea to waterproof your chicken coop, and not just for your deep ground cover. , but also for your chickens.
- Always ensure that the manure is mixed with the litter. Otherwise, the excess manure will cause problems with the health of your flock.
With all these problems, the strong odor of manure will be an important indicator if the balance in your deep cover crop system is not quite right. Remember the basic principle -a healthy deep litter systemshould not smell.
Starting a deep litter system in your home is one of the easiest ways to get the most out of your chicken litter. This system will not only save you time and money in the long run, but is always the perfect way to entertain your flock and give a powerful boost to the health of your garden. Having a high-quality home is essential if you're planning to create a deep litter system, so be sure to check out our range of chicken coops, including the Taj Mahal, Penthouse and Mansion - all of which have spacious nest boxes, perfect for helping create a deep litter system .
From brooding systems to chicken coops, there are so many things to consider when becoming a chicken parent, and we all want to do a good job caring for our feathered friends. Many chicken keepers struggle with chicken health or behavioral issues, especially in the first few years of owning a flock.
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