Here’s the deep litter method in an eggshell: Start by spreading a 3- to 4-inch layer of clean litter on the floor of the coop. Dry grass clippings or leaves, straw, or wood shavings all work well.

For instance, in cage-free systems, chicken litter builds up on the floor, so chickens scratch around and dust-bathe in their own waste. "There are concerns about that, relative to egg safety," he ...

Chicken in a nest with eggs [iStockphoto] . Producing clean table eggs from a flock raised in a deep litter system has always been a big challenge to most poultry farmers.

Chickens can be kept in fixed sheds called coops, often on deep litter with a run attached, or in mobile pens. There are many options for litter including wood shavings, hay and dried leaves.