The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Stereo on March 21, 2014, 02:24:32 pm

Title: Deep litter brooding
Post by: Stereo on March 21, 2014, 02:24:32 pm

Was watching this

Pt 3. The Salatin Consultation 2010 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVay3BxzTPw#ws)

Salatin talks about deep litter brooding ie. just keep on putting more stuff in the brooder until it's a couple feet deep! This goes for multiple broods, so the second lot go onto the first lot's litter and you just keep adding.

Sounds like a disaster but I've read up on it and it seems that people are saying they get less mortality with this system and the rotting litter underneath keeps the chicks warm as well.

Anyone use this system?

Title: Re: Deep litter brooding
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on March 21, 2014, 05:59:57 pm

I have used it with the ducks. I have an old dog kennel with attached run that I converted into a brooder. It doesn't have a floor and that is important as you want the soil microbes to be active.

Title: Re: Deep litter brooding
Post by: Clansman on March 25, 2014, 01:42:54 pm

Important not to let it get too wet or it will just go slimy and smell bad but it works well