The joy of deep litter

[Btomkins]

Bit of a pointless post really but a happy one

After reading a few posts on here I decided to give deep littering my stable a go.

I as a bit dubious but decided to give it a go and I have to say it really is the best method I have ever used! (After using various other bedding method over the years)

It only takes 5 mins to muck out, is lovely and deep and soft for Mr Ben, doesn't smell at all (which I was worried about), only take 1/2 a wheelbarrow of muck out every day and top up with 1 small section of straw each night

So far it's been going for 10 weeks and its soooo easy to do.

As I said - pointless but such a life saver especially given the weather we've been having

 

[Mari]

I do the same, just take out the droppings & tidy stable & refresh with chopped straw every other day but I call thei semi deep litter as I thought deep litter was when you took nothing out & just put fresh bedding down each day.

 

[OldNag]

Bit of a pointless post really but a happy one

After reading a few posts on here I decided to give deep littering my stable a go.

I as a bit dubious but decided to give it a go and I have to say it really is the best method I have ever used! (After using various other bedding method over the years)

It only takes 5 mins to muck out, is lovely and deep and soft for Mr Ben, doesn't smell at all (which I was worried about), only take 1/2 a wheelbarrow of muck out every day and top up with 1 small section of straw each night

So far it's been going for 10 weeks and its soooo easy to do.

As I said - pointless but such a life saver especially given the weather we've been having

^^^This. I started a bed off about the same time as you. Saves me time, don't know that it saves straw though. I had intended to clear it out monthly but the weather has intervened.

The bit I'm dreading is when I give it a cleanout as it's fairly well established! Been waiting for a dry day when I can leave the floor to dry and horse can be out all day. Fat chance with this weather, so the deep littering continues

Mine's looking incredibly comfy. Horse has to virtually climb into bed

 

[Btomkins]

^^^This. I started a bed off about the same time as you. Saves me time, don't know that it saves straw though. I had intended to clear it out monthly but the weather has intervened.

The bit I'm dreading is when I give it a cleanout as it's fairly well established! Been waiting for a dry day when I can leave the floor to dry and horse can be out all day. Fat chance with this weather, so the deep littering continues

Mine's looking incredibly comfy. Horse has to virtually climb into bed

Exactly the same here - was planning on starting again after 4 or so weeks but weather hasn't allowed but seems to be ok so far

I'm just avoiding thinking about when the time comes to clear it all out......maybe I will coerce the other half into helping XD

 

[Btomkins]

I do the same, just take out the droppings & tidy stable & refresh with chopped straw every other day but I call thei semi deep litter as I thought deep litter was when you took nothing out & just put fresh bedding down each day.

Maybe it is I really don't know, but I can't think that that would be very nice :/ only the droppings come out of mine, although this is usually pretty easy as he has taken to using the old manger in the corner as a toilet - very handy to just scoop it all out!

 

[gwniver]

i am moving to a new yard were they deep litter with shavings and bedmax and i wasnt sure about it (up till now i have been useing rubber matting and straw)
but now it soud sooo easy

 

[Antw23uk]

I deep litter on shavings (You must always remove poo from any deep litter bed Mari) and its a godsend at this time of the year and with working full time.

I can skip out, refill two haynets and refill water in the morning in twenty minutes whilst she is eating, chuck her back in the stable after her breakfast and off to work i go ... then at a 'normal' time of the morning she gets turned out (lack of T/O at mo due to weather though)

Then in the evening i take my time and go through it thoroughly, same as the weekend. I have two sides of banks where i put the fresh shavings and pull these down during the week as and when i need them.

Downside to doing shavings deep littering :

She pees without fail in the same spot EVERY time so my deep littering is starting to look a bit like everest!
Shavings are going in minimum once a week whilst she is in 24/7 which is draining on the old purse strings!

Oh and there aint no way im taking it out .. i will pay someone to do it in the spring, lol

 

[amandap]

Don't forget to allow plenty of time when the big muck out comes. I did a whole barn for two winters and loved it but the clearing took me a good few days. Machinery can't get in the one I used. I'm hoping to get another shelter up this year so I can rejig my arrangements and do it again.