DIY Chicken Coop Plans


09 Jun, 2009

What is a Deep Litter System?

Posted by: Chicken Coop Plans In: Raising Chickens

Deep Litter System

Chickens can quickly transform a lush, grassy area into a muddy, foul-smelling mess.  As a matter of fact, the technical term for this problem is referred to as fouling the ground.  Once the ground is fouled, it's no longer healthy for your birds to stay there, and you will need to relocate the run.

If relocating the run is out of the question, a deep litter system can be used instead.  Gravel and/or bark chips can be used for the litter.  However, to keep the area fresh, these materials will need to be dug out and replaced about once a year.

One problem with this method is that your chickens may become lazy.  After all, the reason they like to scratch around in the grass is to eat vegetation and find bugs.  If they don't have a reason to scratch around, then they won't.  However, you can encourage them to exercise by mixing pellets and corn in with the gravel or bark used in the deep litter system.

In addition to this, you will want to provide them with a dust bath.  This is a shallow box partially filled with dry, powdery dirt where they can stretch their wings.  It helps the birds naturally cope with lice and parasites.

Also, keep a small container of grit available for your hens.  Grit is naturally available to free range birds, but a supplemental source will need to be provided when raising chickens in a deep litter system run.

photo credit: abooth202

Related articles from DIY Chicken Coop Plans:

  1. Feeding Chickens 101 Let's talk today about feeding chickens. In addition to providing...
  2. Urban Chicken Coops from Ikea? I have talked here before about the rising popularity of...
  3. Raising Chickens for Eggs For many of us, raising chickens for eggs is one...

No Responses to "What is a Deep Litter System?"

Comment Form

Start Building This Coop Today!

chicken-coop-plans-ebookHow would this chicken coop look in your backyard? Building a Chicken Coop has detailed plans / material lists for this coop and others (a larger coop and a chicken tractor)... CLICK HERE to get your copy of these chicken coop plans.


  • karissa: Hi my name is Karissa, i hav e 6 chickens and need sonme help on how to build chicken coop or can you give me some sites on some affordable chicken
  • moragmunro: Can you tell me where I can get the sign the rooster crows but the hen delivers, as I think this would be perfect for my new coop.
  • Ben Huff: I have laying hens that is starting to eat there eggs after laying there eggs. How can I stop this?

About

This site is loaded with free information about DIY Chicken Coop Plans. Enjoy!