Hemp and deep litter method

[lottie dolly]

I have been looking up these things,and wonder if any of you uses either,at the moment i quite like the sound of the hemp,as it's supposed to be dust free,a good soaker upper,and compost's quicker.
Deep litter method also sounds interesting,with less work,as it builds it's own micro system for bugs,and less cleaning out,also 1 said no use of diamatious earth needed as it has it's own climate,and no smell to give the girls breathing bothers.
My thoughts are,if what is claimed is true,it will save on time and money,what are your personal experiances and knowledge ext please,

[veggiechicken]

Are you thinking of using these in the hen house or in the run - or both?

[lottie dolly]

was thinking the hen house floor and nest box's,am just trying to gather info at the moment nothing set in stone


ON doing some more reading,it is sold as aubiose hemp bedding,not just for chickens,any animal,what ever you do,do not grow it yourself ,i was amazed to read about about it on another forum,
All that needs an answer now please is,has anyone using or tried the deep litter method in the coop,

[mrsbusy]

I am going to change bedding to Miscanthus - using shavings at the mo but takes a while to rot down . I have read that you can put Miscanthus straight onto the soil. Think I would still compost it . My hens are right next to the house on the patio slabs for the winter so I muck em out every day - in the summer they go down the garden on the grass but still muck em out - paranoid about flies. One of my girls had fly strike last August - we were away for 1 week and the house sitters didn't notice. Got rid of all the maggots tho and she healed up. Worse thing I've had to do so far tho. I use arley straw for the run but they free range anyway so only go in the run if it's raining heavily. Neighbour does deep litter but well away from the house - he uses straw.

[lottie dolly]

Thanks MRS B,deep litter and straw are not for me,as straw does not soak up,never heard of miscanthus,so have had a goggle,thanks for the heads up,i shall look deeper into that,i did how ever just,come accross a thread about some peeps hens have died from eating the hemp,so i have to realy think now.

[chasingmytail]

In my eyes hemp is far too expensive to justify. I use shavings which when dirty get put on shed floor to be removed by tractor and made into compost. When outside (spring/summer) the bedding gets chucked on the grass. My floor is slatted so luckily nothing needed. Only laying boxes I have experimented and to avoid red mite a massive covering of diatomaceous earth and shavings works best for us however they get wet and sticks to the eggs.