I think the push for deep litter in coops is getting out of hand

Honestly, I see so many folks online saying you need a foot of bedding and to just keep adding more. I tried that last fall in my 8x6 coop near Springfield, and within two months I had a serious mold problem under the top layer. It smelled bad and I'm sure it wasn't good for my girls' lungs. I know it works for some, but in our damp climate, turning it every few days with just 4 inches of pine shavings works way better for me. Has anyone else found deep litter just doesn't work where they live?

3 comments

3 Comments

daniel5112mo ago

Yeah, terrymitchell is right about the air flow thing. That thick bedding just holds moisture in our area. Had the same mold issue with my setup until I switched to a thinner layer I can stir up every other day. What do you do when it rains for a week straight?

terrymitchell2mo ago

Tbh it can mess with your coop's air flow too.

kim.emma1mo ago

Ever tried a box fan on a low setting pointed at a corner? That saved me during a wet spring. I run it on dry days too, just to keep things moving. @daniel511, for the week of rain, I put a covered tray of dry stall pellets under the roost. It grabs the worst of the dampness from the droppings overnight. You just scoop out the wet clumps in the morning like cat litter.