Getting My Chicken Coop Ready for Winter with the Deep Litter Method

Guest Post By Karen Howeth - What the Clucks Up

Instagram: @WhatTheClucksUp

If this is your first winter with chickens, you're probably wondering how to keep your coop comfortable when those cold temperatures arrive. We used to use wood chips, but switched to hemp bedding and leaves because we wanted a lower dust option. That's where the deep litter method comes in. Instead of cleaning out all the bedding every time, we keep working with what we have and add fresh material as needed.

Here's what I do. I use a rake to turn and loosen the existing bedding, break up clumps, mix things around, and add fresh hemp and leaves. The chickens even help scratch and turn it! Over time, the bedding and manure begin breaking down through natural microbial activity, much like a compost pile. This process can generate some heat, and the deeper bedding helps provide insulation from the cold floor.

Now, deep litter doesn't mean you never clean your coop! Keeping the bedding dry, managing moisture, and having good ventilation are extremely important. If you smell ammonia, something needs attention. As the material breaks down, it can eventually become useful organic material for the garden once it has finished composting. Every coop is different, but getting your bedding routine figured out before your first winter can make chicken keeping a whole lot easier!

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Karen’s expertise comes from hands-on experience and a genuine passion for learning everything she can about raising happy, healthy birds, and then sharing what she learns with others. She especially loves helping new chicken keepers navigate those “Wait…is this normal?!” moments with practical information, real-life experience, and a healthy dose of humor. Because with chickens, there’s always something clucking up! Connect with Karen on Instagram @WhatTheClucksUp.