Re: Deep litter base
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2024 4:41 pm
I have used both cat litter pellets and Bedmax, both worked well but the Bedmax is cheaper, I first started using it because I had a leak and the loft floor was constantly getting soaked, once a week I used to just clean the worst of the shit under the perches or infront of the nest boxes weekly and rake the rest over adding a harkers loft dressing, due to health issues of my own and Mum being ill this year I didn't clean the loft out for months. The only problem I had was the feeders getting full of rubbish every day, I lifted all the drinkers so they weren't a massive problem but the feeders weren't quite so easy.
I have also used barley straw as a deep litter, I do believe that using a deep litter does reduce stress in a loft, especially if, like mine, a loft is overcrowded.
The only issue I'd really have with deep litter is that although the loft and droppings are always dry, it does potentially mask any early onset health issues that you would usually pick up through monitoring their droppings.
At the moment I'm just cleaning the loft weekly and putting a loft dressing down every time I clean out.
I have also used barley straw as a deep litter, I do believe that using a deep litter does reduce stress in a loft, especially if, like mine, a loft is overcrowded.
The only issue I'd really have with deep litter is that although the loft and droppings are always dry, it does potentially mask any early onset health issues that you would usually pick up through monitoring their droppings.
At the moment I'm just cleaning the loft weekly and putting a loft dressing down every time I clean out.