Deep Bedding - How To Keep Livestock Warm Over Winter and Build Soil
One way to provide extra heat and create soil for spring is by using deep bedding. Not only will this save you time and money, but it will also improve your earth and keep your animals warm too. But what exactly is deep bedding, and how do you use it? Find out everything you need to know about deep bedding below.
Deep bedding can be used on a variety of animal species from chickens to cattle.
Tips for success at the end.
What is Deep Bedding?
Deep bedding is also known as deep litter, and it’s when you leave an animal's bedding to pile up instead of cleaning it out regularly. Each week, you add a fresh layer of clean bedding to keep your animals dry and comfortable. Deep bedding works like a compost heap. The bacteria from the manure breaks everything down and creates heat, which will keep your animals warm, and over time, it will break the deep bedding down into usable compost.
What Are The Benefits of Deep Bedding?
Deep bedding can benefit you, your animals and your land. It keeps your animals warm in the winter, which is fantastic if you live in a cold area with regular ice and snow. Deep bedding is soft, spongy and cozy, and it can save you time and money because you don't have to muck out each week.
Deep bedding is fantastic for animals that degrade the quality of the soil, such as chickens or goats. It provides a layer of mulch that will protect and nourish the earth, and it may even help protect your animals from harmful pathogens. Pigs and chickens love scratching and digging for bugs, so deep bedding is a fantastic way to keep them entertained.
How Do You Use Deep Bedding?
You can use deep bedding with most types of livestock but don't use it on wooden floors or poorly ventilated areas. Always use absorbent bedding such as pine wood shavings or straw. Start with a deep layer of bedding - around 4 inches. Each week, spread the old bedding around and break down any thick lumps and spread a clean layer of bedding over the whole area. If the bedding smells bad, you need to use more bedding to absorb the moisture.
Once the bedding gets too deep, you can take some of it out in sections. In spring, it’s time to empty all the bedding. If you want to start again with a deep litter, leave a small layer of the old stuff in. The old stuff contains microbes that will kick start the composting process next time around. Leave the old bedding to decompose for a further six months before you use it in your garden. If the bedding isn’t fully decomposed, it will contain too much nitrogen, which will harm your plants.
Where can I learn more details about Deep Bedding?
This method is taught by the famous Joel Salatin and is an important part of his farm model. Learn more about, as he calls it, the Carbonaceous Diaper and how it can be used from chickens to cattle!
Don’t forget to check out his other courses & books as well.
Tips for successful deep bedding
Use the right bedding material: Use organic, absorbent and carbon-rich bedding materials such as straw, sawdust or wood chips. Avoid materials that are high in nitrogen, such as fresh grass clippings or manure, which can cause excessive heat and odors.
Monitor moisture levels: Regularly check the moisture levels of the bedding material to ensure it is neither too wet nor too dry. If it's too wet, add more dry bedding material; if it's too dry, add water.
Control pests: Monitor and control pests such as flies or rodents, which can cause problems in the bedding system. Some people integrate diatomaceous earth or lime into their layers.
Provide adequate ventilation: Ensure there is proper ventilation in the bedding area to promote air flow and reduce humidity. This also helps to prevent the buildup of harmful gases.
Conclusion
Deep bedding is a great way to keep your animals warm through the winter, and for animals like pigs and chickens, it will also keep them entertained. At the end of the season, your garden or homestead will also reap the rewards when you use the compost in your garden. However, you must let deep bedding sit for six months before using it on your plants.
