Deep litter method

The deep litter method is a coop bedding approach where fresh material is added on top of existing bedding as it soils, rather than fully removing and replacing it on a regular schedule. Over weeks and months, droppings and bedding break down together with the help of beneficial bacteria, gradually composting in place instead of being scooped out.

Done well, this slow composting process generates a small amount of natural warmth, which can take some edge off cold winter nights, and it cuts down on how often a full coop cleanout is needed. The tradeoff is that it depends on good ventilation and reasonably dry bedding to work safely, since a damp, poorly ventilated deep litter setup can trap ammonia fumes that irritate chickens' respiratory systems far more than a regularly cleaned coop would.

This differs from a sand-based coop floor, which is typically scooped clean rather than layered and left to compost. A common mistake is simply piling on fresh bedding indefinitely without ever managing moisture or airflow, or never doing a full cleanout at all, which lets problems build up well past the point the method is actually helping.