Ammonia smell in coop

[archeryrob]

Yes, you are correct, But what I read on here all the time is people trying to seal up, caulk shut and insulate their coop and I make assumptions that this is exactly what is going on. People try and make human houses for chicken and their house needs to breath.

I have slots between the boards, open soffits ridge vents in the roof. Two windows, on on on each side that allows a cross flow to evac ammonia and moisture.

 

[aart]

But what I read on here all the time is people trying to seal up, caulk shut and insulate their coop and I make assumptions that this is exactly what is going on. People try and make human houses for chicken and their house needs to breath.

Yeppers!

 

[Hortgirl]

Pictures of your coop inside and out will help.
You need LOTS of ventilation. And if any of the wood was not sealed and gets poop on it, it will absorb moisture and urates which will decompose into ammonia gas.
What type of floor is in your coop and what type of bedding? BTW, it should not be necessary to clean the nest boxes out daily as no one should be pooping in them.

Question, what is best to seal wood? Hoping to add on, I have a line on inexpensive lumber but it is untreated. Thanks

 

[archeryrob]

I used rough cut 1 by lumber for the outside of my coop on the one and pallets planks for the other. It is best to install them up and down and scarf (angle) over laps down. That's how they did barns if you look at them. I sealed with deck stain the first time and clear stain maybe two years after. Make sure to apply seal to the very bottom of the boards heavily as it is the spongy ends that can soak up water.

You can use paint, but I think seal is less work in the long runs, just doesn't look as nice for some people. This is assuming you are using wood lumber and not plywood.

Probably should have this in another thread though

 

[aart]

Probably should have this in another thread though

Yes...but, sigh.

 

[mitch1114]

Pictures of your coop inside and out will help.
You need LOTS of ventilation. And if any of the wood was not sealed and gets poop on it, it will absorb moisture and urates which will decompose into ammonia gas.
What type of floor is in your coop and what type of bedding? BTW, it should not be necessary to clean the nest boxes out daily as no one should be pooping in them.

Our girls poop on the nesting boxes all the time. Most of the time they sleep in there. Or on top of the nesting boxes. The floor is wood and I use pine shavings.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Our girls poop on the nesting boxes all the time. Most of the time they sleep in there. Or on top of the nesting boxes. The floor is wood and I use pine shavings.

Is your floor painted or protected in any way from moisture?

Also chickens should not be sleeping in or on top of nest boxes. Photos of your set up would be helpful. Hard to troubleshoot what we can't see.

 

[mitch1114]

Is your floor painted or protected in any way from moisture?

Also chickens should not be sleeping in or on top of nest boxes. Photos of your set up would be helpful. Hard to troubleshoot what we can't see.

I'll try to get some photos tomorrow.

 

[Hortgirl]

[/QUOTE]

I used rough cut 1 by lumber for the outside of my coop on the one and pallets planks for the other. It is best to install them up and down and scarf (angle) over laps down. That's how they did barns if you look at them. I sealed with deck stain the first time and clear stain maybe two years after. Make sure to apply seal to the very bottom of the boards heavily as it is the spongy ends that can soak up water.

You can use paint, but I think seal is less work in the long runs, just doesn't look as nice for some people. This is assuming you are using wood lumber and not plywood.

Probably should have this in another thread though
You are right! Sorry but thanks forthe info