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Whether your goal is to raise broilers or layers, strictly following these 7 guidelines will help you succeed with a deep litter system.

1: Precise Nutritional Adjustment

This is the first key to a successful deep litter system. Many farmers don’t realize that the nutritional requirements of chickens in deep litter systems differ from those in cages.

Chickens consume feed primarily to meet their energy needs. Compared to caged chickens, which are restricted in their movement, chickens on litter need to run, scratch, and roost, expending more energy. Therefore, when formulating their feed, it’s important to increase the energy level of their diet to ensure optimal performance and compensate for the extra activity.

2: Strict Biosecurity

Without biosecurity, your farm is constantly at risk. Remember, chickens come into direct contact with litter, and the movement of people is a major route of disease transmission.

Restrict personnel movement and prohibit unauthorized personnel from entering the facility.

Establish disinfection facilities and place foot and hand baths at the entrances of all poultry houses.

Use dedicated work clothes and footwear, ideally for each poultry house.

Properly dispose of dead birds, burying them deep or disposing of them in a safe manner; never discard them carelessly.

3: Scientific Litter Management

Even the best litter material is useless if it’s not properly managed. The core function of litter is to absorb chicken excrement and keep the house dry.

Regular Turning and Replacement: It’s recommended to turn the litter thoroughly or partially every two weeks to one month, depending on whether it’s damp or clumping.

Preventing Pathogens: Poorly managed, damp litter is a breeding ground for pathogens (such as E. coli and coccidia), which can easily lead to infection and mortality in the flock. Litter management is widely recognized as the lifeline to the success of this system.

4: Choosing the Right Litter Material

The ideal litter material should have the following characteristics: high water absorption, a dry and soft texture, no pest harborage, low cost, and easy availability.

Preferred: Wood chips. Due to their moderate particle size and good moisture absorption, they are widely considered the best choice for deep bed litter systems.

Material to be used with caution: Sawdust. Although highly absorbent, overly fine particles can easily cause respiratory problems or eye infections in chickens, making them more suitable for battery cage systems where the birds don’t come into direct contact.

Other options: Peanut shells, rice hulls, and other supplemental materials can also be used.

5: Meticulous Feeder and Drinker Management

Unlike cage systems where each bird has a fixed location, birds in deep litter systems are free to choose their own feeding locations. This characteristic requires:

Ensure adequate numbers: Provide sufficient feeders and drinkers to avoid competition, which can lead to stress and uneven growth.

Maintain cleanliness: Clean dirt and feces from feed troughs and water lines daily to prevent disease from entering the body.

Use suspended equipment and adjust its height: Suspended feeders and drinkers are easier to maintain and prevent contamination. They should be adjusted to the same height as the birds’ backs for easy access.

6: Active Disease Control and Management

In deep litter systems, birds are in close contact, posing a relatively high risk of disease transmission. Therefore, proactive prevention and control strategies are essential.

Diligent Observation: Carefully observe the flock’s mental state, behavior, and feces every morning and evening. Fecal pattern is the most intuitive indicator of flock health.

Immediate Isolation: Immediately isolate any weak or symptomatic birds, and urgently replace the litter in the area.

Prevention First: Nip the disease in the bud through good litter management, nutrition, and biosecurity.

7: Thorough Pest Control

Snakes, rats, and termites are the main threats to deep litter systems.

Environmental Cleaning: Remove all shrubs and weeds within 3 meters of the poultry house to eliminate pest harborage.

Physical Protection: Applying used motor oil to the base of the fence can effectively repel termites; promptly seal all holes and cracks to prevent rodent intrusion.