Deep Litter Method, Heat or Daily Cleaning?

The deep litter method entails building a layer of bedding (like hay and pine flake shavings) in the barn. This allows manure and urine to decompose and create a “heated blanket” resulting in warmth, during the winter. This is only a method that I use in the winter and not in the summer for multiple reasons.

Wondering how to apply deep litter method? Read below.

Hay or Straw: First, I say use hay, not straw because anyone who owns goats know they are the first ones to waste their own hay and drop it on the ground! I spent a year running around like a frugal person trying to catch every drop of hay saying, “stop being so wasteful.” Until…. I gave up. Well at least in the winter months. The goats will drop the hay right on the ground, leave it there and enjoy laying in it. YUP that $8 bale you bought… on the ground! So there is honestly no point in purchasing straw when your already purchasing hay and they are going to waste it anyways. Use what they waste as a layer of bedding to start your deep litter method in the winter.

You might be thinking, why not just use a heater?

Fires: I am the first one to say aww look at the goats, they need a heater! No one wants to think of their babies freezing outside while we are inside in the warm heat all cozied up. Just like any other mom, I lay awake worrying about my livestock, just like my kids.

Lets discuss heaters VS deep litter method.

First, heaters can start fires.
Second, they cost a lot of money over time (even if it’s only $1 an hour that’s $24 dollars a day.
I have friends with goats who have woken up to their entire barn burned down and lost everything. Please see this additional link to discuss electricity and fires in barns.
When I first started with goats I did use a heater, then when we had -7 degrees nights the heater wouldn’t even work it was so cold. So… then what?
Summed up, it is a lot safer to do the deep litter method than to wake up every hour checking for a possible fire or loosing electricity and your goats being used to the warmth and suddenly freezing.

How To Get the Warmth: The breakdown of waste and bedding generates heat, which helps keep goats warm during the winter season. (At least while they are in the barn. When not in the barn read link above under fires.)

Temporarily Reduces Cleaning: The deep litter method reduces the frequency of full barn cleaning, as you only need to remove the top layer of bedding and add fresh material. This will lead to a two or three full day clean out later on so do not be deceived.

Natural Compost: The decomposing hay/flakes and manure create a powerful, natural compost that is used in our garden and can be used in yours too! Plus, you get to tell people how green you are being by literally recycling your livestock’s poop.

                 Do you want to try this? Read my how to below!

Clean out your barn:
- Start by completely cleaning your barn and sprinkle the entire floor with diatomaceous earth and coop recuperate. (PDZ or Strong Animal brands are both great.)
  - Coop Recuperate Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Diatomaceous Earth, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Silica Aerogel, Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil, Lemongrass Essential Oil.
- I also sprinkle Mint dehydrated from my garden last year.
Apply a base layer: Most will say “now add a layer of absorbent bedding like straw or pine shavings, about 4-5 inches thick.” NO THANK YOU! The goats will add this themselves. I will put ONE bag of pine flakes, and they will add all the rest of the hay within days. You can always add in some of the above cleaning materials with pine shavings too as you go along. As the bedding gets dirty then add more fresh bedding on top, without removing the old layer.
Maintain and Clean: Frequently remove any bigger clusters of manure and urine and top up with fresh bedding and one of the above cleaners, as needed.
Spring Clean: In the spring, remove all the bedding back down to the dirt and allow it to decompose fully before using it in your garden.

Factors to consider:

Not for warm climates: The deep litter method is not appropriate for warm climates or during warmer months, as it can attract flies and other pests. THIS IS ONLY DONE IN THE WINTER. In the spring, summer and fall the barn is cleaned almost daily or weekly.

Air Circulation: Make sure there is adequate ventilation in the barn to prevent ammonia. You must have upper openings in the barn so the airflow circulates out and in, otherwise it will create a toxic area, and the goats can catch pneumonia.

Deep Litter Method