Alternatives to DE?

[stephhassler]

It's about 100 degrees here today, so I'm not sure why I'm planning for winter . . . wishful thinking perhaps. Anyway, I have increased the size of my flock 3-fold and I'm worried amonia will build up in the coop this winter. Called my feed supply store and they do not carry DE. He can get me some other stuff, I haven't seen it yet, he said it was a type of bacteria that prevents amonia. I asked him to get me a bag $30 for 20 lbs. I probably should wait until I see the bag and get more specific info. But before I do, has anyone heard of this type of treatment? Anyone using it, and is it comparable to DE?

 

[cgmccary]

Lime (unhydrated), either the dolomitic or limestone variety, is good for odors. I don't use DE; it is all hype.

 

[annek]

I use Sweet PDZ, it is used for ammonia in horse stalls and works great to dry out the poop and keep the odors down. Perfectly safe for chickens too, and you. If you can't find that I think Stall Dri will work too and that is carried by TSC. It is around 14.00 for a 20 lb bag.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
I'll be the first to contradict that statement. DE WORKS WONDERS. The chicken poo is almost entirely dried out and odorless when we've sprinkled DE into the bedding in the coop and mixed some in with their food.

You could also try the removable poop tray. It's literally a screen or tray that sits underneath where your birds roost at night. After a week or so when it fills up, you pull it out and dispose of it how you will. It's great if you compost!

 

[stephhassler]

Also should have noted that none of the stores around here carry Stall-dri. My only option is lime - and I thought lime was risky because it can hurt the hens feet?

 

[Judy]

Lime is fine if you don't get the wrong kind. I use both DE and lime. I buy the pelleted because (1) I can never remember which kind is bad, but know pelleted is ok, and (2) it's not dusty to toss around. I have never found sweet PDZ or Stall-Dri at my TSC or either of my feed stores.

 

[cmom]

I have used DE and Stall Dri. Both worked well for me. The main thing is that your coop is well ventilated.

Here is a very good page on ventilation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Great info. link on ventilation!!! We would have done it all wrong...we'd been thinking low vent. during cold weather (hot air rises after all)...

 

[redhen]

Can you use the lime right inside the chicken coop? or just in the run..

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:
I'll be the first to contradict that statement. DE WORKS WONDERS. The chicken poo is almost entirely dried out and odorless when we've sprinkled DE into the bedding in the coop and mixed some in with their food.

You could also try the removable poop tray. It's literally a screen or tray that sits underneath where your birds roost at night. After a week or so when it fills up, you pull it out and dispose of it how you will. It's great if you compost!

I agree! Not sure about odor since we have none, lol It prevents bugs, worms chickens and is fun to play with in your hand!

I love DE but i do hate it for mites cause it dont kill those suckers