Methods of Waste Management

There a various ways to cope with the copious amounts of chicken poop you’ll have to deal with. But it almost all cases, you’ll be using composting in one form or another to break down your chickens’ waste and make it safe for your garden.

Manual Litter Removal. Some chicken keepers rely on manual removal of waste from the coop’s bedding materials as it accumulates. This will likely be necessary regardless of what method of management is used, and waste removed this way can still be added to a compost pile. Remember, your chickens’ droppings may contain E. coli and Salmonella, so handle all waste accordingly.

Dropping Boards. This method implements shelving inside chicken coops that’s designed to collect droppings. Waste is collected each day and added to the compost pile, which must be managed accordingly. The benefit of boards is, waste (and excess moisture) are removed entirely from the coop, potentially aiding chicken health.

Deep Litter. This technique of waste management uses the floor of a chicken coop to compost waste, rather than relying on regular removal and the use of a separate compost site. bedding material is placed between 2 to 4 inches deep in the coop, and droppings are allowed to accumulate, eventually creating a rich humus if managed properly. This technique is sometimes used over the winter, to minimize upkeep.

Ferilizer Tea. Use a bucket filled with one-third chicken poop and two-thirds water. After you let it set for two weeks, you can mix the concoction with four parts water and use it as a spray plant leaves. Be aware, the spray may contain harmful pathogens, so handle with care.