Tried deep litter vs weekly coop clean out for 3 months straight

I used to strip my coop down every Sunday no matter what. Took about an hour and I was always chasing the ammonia smell. Switched to the deep litter method back in February after my back started complaining. Just add fresh bedding on top and let the composting happen underneath. My 6 hens have been way less sneezy and the straw actually smells like hay instead of ammonia. Has anyone else found that deep litter works better in colder months versus summer?

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anna_green481d ago

The deep litter method is a total game changer for winter. I run a small flock of 12 hens and switching to deep litter in November was the best thing I ever did. The composting action actually generates a little heat which helps keep the coop warmer when it's freezing outside. Just watch out for the moisture problem in summer though cause wet litter can get nasty fast. I add a sprinkle of food grade DE and some stall refresher powder every time I turn the bedding to keep the ammonia down. For summer I go back to a partial clean out every few weeks cause the heat makes everything break down way too quick.