At Huckleberry Farms, one of the most essential methods we use to manage our poultry coops is the deep bedding system. This approach not only keeps our chickens, ducks, and geese healthy but also aligns with our regenerative farming practices. Based on years of experience and wisdom passed down by industry experts like Joel Salatin, we’ve adapted this method for our own unique environment, making adjustments that work for both our birds and our farm. If you’re considering starting a deep bedding system, here’s how to get started, maintain it, and ensure it’s working effectively.
What is Deep Bedding?
Deep bedding is essentially a composting system inside your coop. By layering carbon-rich materials like wood shavings or wood chips in the coop, the bedding absorbs manure and begins to break down over time. The resulting composting action generates heat, helping to keep the coop warm in cooler months, while also creating a natural ecosystem of beneficial microorganisms that help control odors and promote the birds’ health.
This system is ideal for poultry keepers who want to minimize labor, reduce waste, and keep their birds healthy without constantly cleaning out the coop. Here at Huckleberry Farms, it’s become the cornerstone of our poultry management.
Getting Started: What You’ll Need
To begin, you’ll need:
- Carbon-Rich Bedding: Wood shavings are our material of choice because they absorb moisture well and allow birds to scratch and fluff, which is important for their natural behaviors. We mix in wood chips for added bulk, which works well for both chicks and adult birds. Avoid using straw or hay, as these materials tend to mat down and can lead to poor air circulation, trapping moisture and manure.
- A Well-Ventilated, Draft-Free Coop: Your coop needs to be tight enough to keep out drafts but also provide good ventilation to prevent moisture buildup. If you can let in natural sunlight, even better, as it helps kill bacteria and keeps the environment healthier.
- Regular Carbon Additions: The success of your deep bedding system relies on maintaining the right balance of carbon (from the bedding) and nitrogen (from the manure). Whenever you notice a smell of ammonia, it’s time to add more carbon.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up and Maintaining Your Deep Bedding System
- Prepare the Coop
Start with a clean coop. If you’re starting from scratch, lay down at least 6 to 8 inches of dry wood shavings or wood chips. For best results, aim for a bedding depth of at least 12 inches over time, allowing it to build up as you continue to add fresh material. - Add New Bedding Regularly
The key to deep bedding is adding fresh, dry bedding whenever necessary. This is especially important in areas where moisture tends to accumulate, such as around waterers and feeders. Anytime you see damp spots, immediately cover them with a fresh layer of shavings. - Let the Birds Do the Work
Your birds will naturally scratch and aerate the bedding as they search for food. This aeration helps mix in the manure and keeps the composting process active. You can encourage more scratching by sprinkling a handful of grain on the floor, which will prompt them to dig deeper into the bedding. - Monitor and Stir When Needed
Even though the birds do much of the work, it’s a good idea to stir the bedding occasionally—especially in areas where the birds don’t scratch as much. This ensures that the composting process stays active and helps prevent any areas from becoming too compacted or moist. If you notice any ammonia smells, it’s time to stir the bedding and add more carbon. - Maintain the Correct Carbon-Nitrogen Ratio
The most important factor in a successful deep bedding system is the carbon-nitrogen ratio. Poultry manure has a nitrogen level of around 7:1, and wood shavings can be as high as 500:1 in carbon. To keep the ratio balanced around 30:1, you’ll need to adjust based on how much manure your birds produce. When you smell ammonia, that’s your signal to add more carbon. - Assess Bedding Depth
Aim for a bedding depth of at least 12 to 18 inches as it builds up over time. The deeper the bedding, the better the composting action, which not only reduces odor but also creates a warmer environment for the birds, reducing the need for artificial heating.
Annual Clean-Out: Harvesting Black Gold for the Garden
One of the most satisfying parts of using the deep bedding method is the annual clean-out. Once a year, we remove the bedding, which has by then transformed into rich, dark compost that we refer to as “black gold.” This compost is teeming with nutrients and beneficial microorganisms, making it perfect for enriching our garden beds.
Because our poultry coops have dirt floors, we benefit from the natural integration of earthworms and other soil organisms. These helpful creatures are drawn up from the soil beneath the bedding throughout the year, aiding in the breakdown of manure and organic matter. This creates a healthy, living ecosystem right under the birds’ feet.
Why Clean Out Once a Year?
By allowing the bedding to compost in place over an extended period, we maximize the breakdown of manure and carbon materials. Throughout the year, the composting action reduces the volume of material, and the deeper it gets, the better it works. Cleaning out once annually means you’re harvesting the most nutrient-dense material while allowing the bedding to reach its full potential.
In early spring, before our growing season begins, we clean out the coops and take the composted material straight to the garden. This rich, black soil is an incredible resource, packed with nutrients that improve soil structure, promote healthy plant growth, and enhance water retention. It’s one of the ways we close the loop on our farm—what starts as bedding for our poultry ends up feeding the plants that feed our family and customers.
The Process:
- Turn and Stir: In preparation for clean-out, we turn and stir the bedding occasionally during the year to help aerate and encourage composting. The birds themselves do much of this work by scratching, but we give it a little boost with a rake or hoe when needed.
- Encouraging Soil Life: By keeping the floor dirt-based, earthworms, beetles, and other beneficial organisms are encouraged to come up through the soil, helping to further break down manure and organic matter. Their activity enriches the compost and adds a natural element of aeration and nutrient cycling.
- Harvesting the Compost: After a year, the bedding has broken down into a beautiful, dark compost. We remove this rich, fertile soil and immediately take it to the garden. Whether it’s for raised beds, crop rows, or container plants, this compost is full of organic matter that enhances soil fertility and promotes healthy root systems.
- Resetting the System: After we’ve cleared out the compost, we begin the cycle anew with a fresh layer of wood shavings and wood chips, ready to support another year of healthy poultry and sustainable farming.
By composting the bedding right in the coop, we save time, minimize waste, and generate a valuable resource for our gardens. The deep bedding system not only keeps our birds comfortable and healthy but also contributes to the overall fertility and sustainability of our farm.
Monitoring the System: How to Know It’s Working
The beauty of the deep bedding system is that it naturally tells you when things are out of balance. Here’s what to look for:
- Ammonia Smell: If you smell ammonia, your carbon-nitrogen ratio is off, and you need to add more wood shavings or chips. Ammonia is harmful to your birds’ respiratory systems, so it’s important to address it as soon as possible.
- Bedding Temperature: If the bedding is composting properly, it should feel warm when you dig your hand into it. The composting action generates natural heat, which helps keep your birds warm in cooler weather.
- Healthy Smell: A properly maintained deep bedding system should smell earthy, like fertile soil or moldy leaves. If the bedding smells like raw manure, it’s not composting correctly and needs more aeration and carbon.
- Bird Behavior: Healthy birds are active, scratching in the bedding and searching for food. If you notice birds avoiding certain areas of the coop, it could be a sign that the bedding in that spot is too wet or compacted and needs attention.
Maintaining the System Year-Round
- In the Winter: Deep bedding is especially beneficial in the colder months. The composting action creates warmth, which reduces the need for supplemental heat. To maximize this benefit, make sure the bedding stays deep and is stirred regularly to promote composting. A properly working system can reduce the need for heat lamps and other heating sources, saving you energy and reducing stress on the birds.
- In the Summer: During hotter months, the focus shifts to keeping the coop ventilated and preventing excess moisture. Even though the composting process produces heat, proper ventilation, and consistent carbon additions help maintain a comfortable environment for the birds. Make sure to add fresh bedding regularly, especially after rain or high-humidity days.
Long-Term Benefits of Deep Bedding
- Healthier Birds: The natural microorganisms in the composting bedding act as probiotics, improving the birds’ immune systems and overall health. They also reduce the presence of harmful bacteria and parasites.
- Nutrient-Rich Compost: At the end of the season, the deep bedding can be composted and used to enrich your garden. It’s packed with nutrients and beneficial organisms that can help improve soil health.
- Less Labor: While you do need to maintain the system, deep bedding requires far less frequent cleaning than traditional coop setups. This saves time and effort, allowing you to focus on other areas of your farm.
Final Thoughts
The deep bedding method has become an invaluable part of our poultry management system at Huckleberry Farms. By creating a balanced, self-sustaining environment in the coop, we’re not only supporting the health and well-being of our birds but also contributing to the overall sustainability of our farm. It’s a win-win solution that keeps our birds warm, healthy, and productive while minimizing labor and maximizing the benefits of compost.
If you’re thinking of starting a deep bedding system for your own poultry, start small, observe your birds and their environment closely, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials and depths. Once you find the right balance, the benefits will be clear—for both you and your flock.
