Why the Deep Litter Method Is the Best Chicken Coop Setup (And How We Make It Work

From a source that we trust: a quick video insight.

When we first got into raising chickens, we knew we wanted a low-maintenance system that would keep things clean, odor-free, and as natural as possible. After trying a few methods, the one that won us over completely was the deep litter method—and we haven't looked back since.

We use this method in our personal coop with a flock of 9 chickens, and get this: we only clean it out once every year and a half. Seriously. No scraping out bedding every weekend, no nasty smells, and no headaches. It's been an absolute game-changer. For anyone who doesn’t want to spend their weekends scooping out old litter, this system is a total lifesaver.

What Is the Deep Litter Method?

The deep litter method is basically like composting right inside your coop. You start by laying down about 6 inches of bedding—we personally use hemp bedding from Aubiose, but you can find similar options at other stores too. Over time, you slowly build it up to about 12 inches by adding fresh bedding on top every now and then. It’s a slow-and-steady setup that really does the work for you.

Here’s the catch: the key is to leave it alone. That’s where most people go wrong. The first time we tried it, I made the mistake of constantly stirring the bedding, thinking I was "helping it break down." Nope. That actually messed everything up. We ended up with a strong ammonia smell and had to strip everything out and start over. Lesson learned—let the bedding do its thing.

The natural bacteria in the bedding break down the droppings over time, creating a warm, dry environment that doesn’t smell. It creates a mini ecosystem in your coop that works surprisingly well with very little effort.

Easy Clean-Out, No Smell

We get asked all the time: "Doesn’t it stink?" And the honest answer is: nope. Not at all. As long as it’s working correctly, you shouldn’t smell anything. If you do start to smell ammonia, that’s your signal that something isn’t right. Usually, it means the bedding isn’t staying dry enough or it’s been messed with too much.

Once we stopped over-managing it and just trusted the process, everything balanced out. We literally don’t have to think about it for months at a time. And when we finally clean it out, we’re left with a pile of rich, compost-ready material that goes straight into our garden beds.

Not only does this save time and effort, but it’s also a great way to give back to your land. Your chickens help make compost, your compost feeds your plants, and your plants feed you—it’s a pretty awesome cycle.

Why We Design Our Coops for Deep Litter

This method works so well for us that it only made sense to build our coops with it in mind. We design them with:

• Enough floor depth to build up layers over time

• Ventilation that helps the system stay dry and fresh

• Easy clean-out access when you do need to swap it out

We’ve learned through experience what works and what doesn’t, and that knowledge goes straight into every coop we build. Whether you’re new to chickens or just looking for a better way to manage your setup, deep litter is a no-brainer.

Let Us Help You Set It Up Right

If you’re tired of the constant clean-up, tired of the smells, or just want something that’s simple and works—we highly recommend giving the deep litter method a shot. We’ll build you a coop that’s designed for it from the ground up.

Want to chat about a setup that’ll work for your flock? Reach out anytime—we’d love to help you get started with a system that’s easy, effective, and way less messy.