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There are a number of things that will do that though. Proper management for one. Fixing drainage problems, leaky waterers, absorbent bedding, deep litter, etc. There are also easier to get, cheaper products that will dry the litter, e.g., barn lime ($2 /50 lbs), hydrated lime ($7 / 50 lbs), gypsum ($8 / 50 lbs). I've used gypsum under the waterers because it helps to bind ammonia into the litter vs releasing it as a gas. Barn lime can help to dry out damp areas. Hydrated lime will dry out wetter areas and deodorize, it raises the pH enough to kill the microbes that produce the enzymes that break down the manure producing ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.
I've heard a few folks here say that DE only works if you keep the litter dry and that it doesn't work the way it is supposed to when the litter is wet. No kidding... The key there is keeping the litter dry, not necessarily using DE.
So true! We have been struggling with keeping the run dry but the coop is nice & dry. Guess where all the flies are? In the run of course so we are making some major changes to get it under control.
There are a number of things that will do that though. Proper management for one. Fixing drainage problems, leaky waterers, absorbent bedding, deep litter, etc. There are also easier to get, cheaper products that will dry the litter, e.g., barn lime ($2 /50 lbs), hydrated lime ($7 / 50 lbs), gypsum ($8 / 50 lbs). I've used gypsum under the waterers because it helps to bind ammonia into the litter vs releasing it as a gas. Barn lime can help to dry out damp areas. Hydrated lime will dry out wetter areas and deodorize, it raises the pH enough to kill the microbes that produce the enzymes that break down the manure producing ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.
I've heard a few folks here say that DE only works if you keep the litter dry and that it doesn't work the way it is supposed to when the litter is wet. No kidding... The key there is keeping the litter dry, not necessarily using DE.
So true! We have been struggling with keeping the run dry but the coop is nice & dry. Guess where all the flies are? In the run of course so we are making some major changes to get it under control.