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Ammonia smell in coop??????

post #1 of 14
1/9/09 at 6:09pm
Thread Starter 

Any one know what may cause this?  We use pine shavings on the floor and straw in the laying boxes, the smell seems to be only in one place, almost smells like a cat box.  Poop is cleaned out daily and wood shavings have been in coop for about 3 weeks.

Also strange question......do Chickens pee?

Moa 'ohana
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Moa 'ohana
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post #2 of 14
1/9/09 at 6:11pm

Our coop smells like that after a big rain or when the coop needs to be cleaned out. If you are cleaning it on a regular basis, maybe it just needs to be turned a little.... or just aired out.
Tink

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post #3 of 14
1/9/09 at 6:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tink 

Our coop smells like that after a big rain or when the coop needs to be cleaned out. If you are cleaning it on a regular basis, maybe it just needs to be turned a little.... or just aired out.
Tink


My thoughts exactly, try that.

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Standard White Cornish, Dark's & White laced Red Cornish Breeder..........If you don't have Cornish you don't have Chickens. Breeding the best, to the best.
As good as a few and better than most, What You'll Tolerate in your flock is what you'll get.
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post #4 of 14
1/9/09 at 6:21pm

How much ventilation are you providing the coop? Even in the coldest months, there needs to be air flowing though the coop. If you can smell ammonia, the chickens may be adversely affected.

Get fresh air into there.

Wayne

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Buff Chanteclers in Western Maine

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post #5 of 14
1/9/09 at 6:49pm
Thread Starter 

Ahh the big rain, well we live just North of Seattle and we have had record rainfall and flooding, however our coop is very dry inside. 

We have a window, chicken door, a human door and 2 cross vents.  The doors and window get opened daily and stay open all day until we put the girls to bed.  We might need more vents, we will try that as well.  I did turn the wood chips and mixed in DE.  How long can you keep the wood shavings, any recomendations on how often it needs a full change?  We have 14 girls.......

Moa 'ohana
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Moa 'ohana
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post #6 of 14
1/9/09 at 6:50pm

Check for  roof leaks, or where waterers may have been tipped or spilled.  Mine is always worse in damp weather and when the coop is really warm.  I had to pull out the insulation I had near the roof in several places to get enough air. chickens create a lot of moisture.  Also sprinkle in the shavings some sweetPDZ.  Or if you use and can find it food grade DE.  That will help absorb the moisture.  If you have a heat lamp get a smaller bulb.  Too much warmth will do it too. If I walk in after a ceacal poop I will always smell it too.  Yuck but if you cover it in new shavings or mix it in. It will lesson it.  Remember if you smell it . It is also hard on your chicks resp. tract as well.  Jean

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  Love 1 hb,,  my children, many grands, one spoiled rotten cat,  mtns, chicks, crochet, lots of friends. My hens and a few sweet roos      NPIP 55928

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post #7 of 14
1/9/09 at 6:53pm

I have 11 hens and 1 roo in mine and only use pine shavings.  When it gets a little stinky, I just add another bag of shavings and mix it up a little.  I don't think I've done a complete change for at least 6 months (I also have some bags of mulched leaves in there; not sure if that makes a difference).  My coop is in my garage and when it's not too cold (above 30) I let them free-range and leave the door open for ventilation.

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16 chickens & 17 spoiled rotten Indian runner ducks!
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post #8 of 14
1/9/09 at 7:27pm

DE or Stall Dry also helps mixed into the shavings and stirred.

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post #9 of 14
1/9/09 at 8:47pm

In your wet and humid climit I would use stall dry weekly. It comes in a franular form so you don't have to deal with ingesting powder. It really absorbs moisture well.

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This Montana girl is looking for Silkies !!!!!!!!!                 

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post #10 of 14
1/9/09 at 10:16pm

Pellitized lime will also neutralize ammonia, and kills odors.

Its only about $5 for 40 lbs

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