Deep litter

Pigs kept on deep-litter material

Deep litter is an animal housing system, based on the repeated spreading of straw or sawdust material in indoor booths.[1] An initial layer of litter is spread for the animals to use for bedding material and to defecate in, and as the litter is soiled, new layers of litter are continuously added by the farmer.[2] In this fashion, a deep litter bedding can build up to depths of 1–2 meters.[3] "The usual procedure for built-up floor litter is to start with about 4 inches (100 mm) of fine litter material with additions of 1 to 2 inches (25 to 50 mm) later as needed without removal of the old. A depth of 6 to 12 inches (150 to 300 mm) is maintained by partial removals from time to time."[4] Many consider this to be a natural means to disposing of animal feces. "The deep litter cultivation is a modern ecological breeding technique based on decomposing feces by microbiological methods, a post processing method for poultry Manure."[5]

  1. ^ Natural Chicken Keeping. "Deep Litter Method". Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  2. ^ Mormino, Kathy (30 October 2013). "The Deep Litter Method of Waste Management in Chicken Coops". Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  3. ^ Groenestein & Van Faassen, 1996 - Volatilization of Ammonia, Nitrous Oxide and Nitric Oxide in Deep-litter Systems for Fattening Pigs. J. agric. Engng Res. vol. 65, pp269 – 274
  4. ^ Plamondon, Robert (28 September 2016). "Deep Litter in Chicken Coops". Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  5. ^ Li, Hui (2014). "Design Of Moisture Control System For Beddings Of Deep-Litter". Agricultural Science & Technology – via Academic Search Premier.