Hello everyone, We currently have a chicken tractor but will be adding a 9x12 sf run attached to it, all open air. It will have a covered tarp roof that will be removed during high wind and heavy rain, so it will definitely get wet underneath.
We are wanting to use the deep litter method. There is a good article on this site about the process, however it mentions that high humidity and excessive moisture is prone to mold and bacteria that can lead to coccidiosis and bumblefoot.
We live in the deep south and it is very humid and hot here now every day (until end of hurricane season) so I'm wondering if this is a bad idea? The soil is sand and the yard is full of tree debris, leaves, sticks, etc. that we would use along with wood chips and hay as the base layer but it will be wet almost all the time given the weather conditions and almost daily rain. If there is anyone here who lives in a humid climate and uses this method, it would be great to hear how you do it successfully.
My questions are:
1) Is the open air (all steel enclosure) not good for this method?
2) We JUST now cured one of our hens of bumblefoot after two months of consistent treatment. We certainly don't want to create a situation where that could encourage this problem for her or the younger pullets....thoughts?
3) Is there a recommended base layer/s that would be better in this climate as wood chips / mulch stay wet for a long time?
4) I've read where pine and other shavings stay wet so would not make as good of a top layer for the rainy south?
5) Do we need a permanent roof structure for this to be effective or even plausible?
Thanks for any input before we start this endeavor.
We are wanting to use the deep litter method. There is a good article on this site about the process, however it mentions that high humidity and excessive moisture is prone to mold and bacteria that can lead to coccidiosis and bumblefoot.
We live in the deep south and it is very humid and hot here now every day (until end of hurricane season) so I'm wondering if this is a bad idea? The soil is sand and the yard is full of tree debris, leaves, sticks, etc. that we would use along with wood chips and hay as the base layer but it will be wet almost all the time given the weather conditions and almost daily rain. If there is anyone here who lives in a humid climate and uses this method, it would be great to hear how you do it successfully.
My questions are:
1) Is the open air (all steel enclosure) not good for this method?
2) We JUST now cured one of our hens of bumblefoot after two months of consistent treatment. We certainly don't want to create a situation where that could encourage this problem for her or the younger pullets....thoughts?
3) Is there a recommended base layer/s that would be better in this climate as wood chips / mulch stay wet for a long time?
4) I've read where pine and other shavings stay wet so would not make as good of a top layer for the rainy south?
5) Do we need a permanent roof structure for this to be effective or even plausible?
Thanks for any input before we start this endeavor.
