As backyard chicken-keeping is becoming more and more popular due to its extremely satisfying yields of fresh eggs produced in your own identity, it does bring with it some other difficulties; as the title suggests, especially when it comes to properly handling the used litter.
Fortunately, Chris Lesley, a well experienced backyard chicken veteran of 20 years has a technique that will guide her readers to sustainably repurpose their used chicken bedding through what’s known as the deep litter methods.
What Is the Deep Litter Method?
Deep litter method involves placing fresh litter on top of the old, soiled litter to allow the bedding material to decompose inside the coop, and eventually become a rich compost material that can be used for flowers and other plants in the garden. According to University of Georgia, poultry manure structurally improves the soil and also makes it more fertile.
This method also helps keep chickens healthy. The compost material is loaded with beneficial microorganisms that inhibit the growth of pathogens that can be extremely harmful to the birds.Additionally, the decomposing litter adds another layer of insulation to the coop during the cold winter months.
The following are tips to correctly apply the deep litter method.
Tip #1: Having Absorbent Litter
Moisture presence within the litter is fundamental for its proper decomposition, thus having a good absorbent litter is important. As an example, the Government of Alberta (Canada) recommends using pine shavings, although this type of bedding can be expensive.
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Tip #2: Layering the litter
It’s good to start with a layer of bedding that is around four inches (10 cm) thick. Every few days or even once a week, just add a handful of fresh litter material on top of the already existing one. The frequency should depend on how many chickens you have inside the coop; the higher the number the more frequent the adding of the litter.
Tip #3: Dispersing the larger chunks
The decomposition of litter requires oxygen to be involved to promote the reaction, but the chickens natural behaviour achieves that wonderfully as they stir the bedding themselves.However, there will be times when the moist bedding will appear hardened in some spots and formed into big chunks, but this is easily solved by using a shovel or rake to break them up and redistribute the smaller pieces around the coop.This will help expedite the decomposition process and protect the feet of the chickens from injuries as result of walking on hard bedding.
Tip #4: Patience is key
The deep litter method requires lots of patience.It will take several months for chicken litter to properly decompose and be ready for use in gardens.The University of Minnesota-Duluthrecommends waiting until the bedding reaches a height of about 18 inches (~46 cm) before cleaning out the coop.If the litter doesn’t smell and has no large chunks, it is decomposed and ready to be used as compost.If it’s not fully decomposed, simply adding it to anothercompost pile will help speed up its decomposition.
Tip #5: Don’t Clean the coop completely
Leave a couple of inches (~5 cm) of decomposing litter when the time comes to clean the coop, to allow for the good microorganisms to remain present when placing the new bedding on top of it, which helps to kick-start decomposition.
Deep litter method is a win-win situation
Although the thought of throwing away large quantities of chicken litter may render prospective owners hesitant about keeping backyard chickens, the deep litter method may put their minds to rest as it is an easy and sustainable way to repurpose the litter, which improves chicken health, greatly reduces waste and also improves their gardens!
