MrsEarthern
Songster
I use a mix of straw, pine and cedar shreds inside the coop. Coop bedding gets scattered in one corner of the run to begin to break down with more exposure to light and moisture. Once the chickens have scratched it into oblivion and eaten all the greens in that area of the run I intend to rake it into a pile to compost under a screened frame which I will then plant some Thyme, Oregano, and greens into for them to munch on.
I just use straw in the attached floor run, considering the chickens scratch and turn it so often that it breaks down quickly, I just top it off and once it gets low. The ground can stay damp here 9 months of the year so I am hoping the deep litter will provide some insulation and heat this winter. Mid-Spring I will rake it out and use it to create a new garden bed and start fresh in the floor run.
I just use straw in the attached floor run, considering the chickens scratch and turn it so often that it breaks down quickly, I just top it off and once it gets low. The ground can stay damp here 9 months of the year so I am hoping the deep litter will provide some insulation and heat this winter. Mid-Spring I will rake it out and use it to create a new garden bed and start fresh in the floor run.