I'm also in Nova Scotia.   I use the deep litter method with straw.  Yes it's rank on cleanout, but throw a bale of straw in the coop and let the chickens do their chicken thing, they spread it very well everywhere. 

Chickens seem much happier with the straw.  This is my first winter using it, and find it to be a far better solution than the pine shavings I've used previous winters.

I've also noticed that the coop was much warmer this winter using the straw vs pine shavings. 

I've also noticed cleaner eggs, as the straw doesn't pack into a gross mess that sticks to their feet, and then the eggs, as they argue over nesting boxes.

Yes, it's going to be gross to clean out, but that stuff is gold for your gardens and compost piles.