A little amonia smell

[poultrygeist]

Since the snow and cold our 6 pullets spend more time cooped up. Our coop is pretty well insulated and ventilated. We use the deep litter method and it was changed out recently (about a month ago). The previous litter was good from Sept. 'til mid Jan. Never had even the slightest smell, until a couple of days ago I noticed the smell so I opened the windows to get even more ventilation. Will this help to freshen the air?Or am I doomed into changing out two bags of shavings after only a month? THANKS

 

[LynneP]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-Coop_Hygiene


Some thoughts in my page above...

Are you using any horse stall products to neutralize the ammonia?
You might be happier with spot-cleaning in the winter.
The stuff that freezes (if it does) thaws and gives off its 'aroma'...

 

[chicmom]

Hi there!

Sounds like you better change those shavings. I think it's just with mid winter, and like you said, they've really been cooped up--is the reason why you've got that ammonia smell. Just airing it out a bit is only a temporary solution. The ammonia smell is really bad for your chickens respiratory system, so you've gotta get that remedied very quickly.

I think I'll have to clean mine out this weekend as well. Trouble is the snow is like two feet deep! I'll have to dig a path for my wheel barrow so I can get that old hay removed! BUMMER! I'd better get my boots and coveralls on........Gotta do it Saturday because starting on Sunday we're supposed to get another storm here in Ohio....

Hang in there! Spring will be here soon!
Sharon

 

[poultrygeist]

I use a lot of DE in the bedding, should't that help? I presume that stable boy would hurt the girls! Local tractor supply has sweet pdz would this work as several posters here use it?

 

[ranchhand]

The worrisome part is that if you are smelling a little ammonia while standing taller than the chickens, it is much more concentrated at their head level. Better to go ahead and clean it out 100% and get it over with. I compost the shavings, so we have a huge compost heap right now!

 

[poultrygeist]

The coop floor is elevated 3 feet of the ground and I'm 5'11" so I'm 2' 11" higher than the bedding, What about sweet pdz?

 

[Lesa]

I have found that it works better for me, not to use the DLM. If you use a few wood chips (instead of 2 bags) and just clean them out once a week, you should be all set. I am sure many would disagree with me, but I would not consider it a tragedy if you have a "little" smell. It is winter, they are probably dragging in snow (moisture) and they are pooping machines. Keep it as clean as you can, but it is not your kitchen....

 

[Soccer Mom]

I love the PDZ. I just add a cup whenever I clean and I spot clean the shavings. I don't shovel out the whole mess of shavings until spring. Winter is soooooo much worse than the summer. In summer they spend all their time outside. In the winter they spend lots of time hanging out in the coop.

 

[fordmommy]

Quote:
I have been getting a little smell too. I used a little more DE and it took it right away.

 

[CityChook]

With only 6 chickens, you shouldn't be having moisture problems. Even with older shavings. Are you comfortable with the amt. of ventilation you have going? I could easily go 1 year on one round of shavings (I choose to do a complete change out twice a year) without any smell. Opening the window should help considerably. As long as it's warm enough, I say go for it -- we've been having days in the mid-20s and I've been opening the window every day for fresh air. Helps get rid of some of the dust, too.

ETA - I just went to your site. Your coop is beautiful! Boy oh boy, do I have cedar shake ENVY!