Ammonia smell

[cobrien]

I had the same problem recently - the bedding was fresh and not damp, sprinkled occasional DE and stall dry, but had an ammonia smell. I thought I had adequate ventilation, but I increased it a bit and voila no more smell.

 

[lfoose]

Oh and yes, I scrape the poop and take it out to the compost. Then I will put a fine layer of DE on the most poopy parts.

 

[jennh]

I use the deep litter method also, BUT I don't disturb mine, and mine doesn't smell. Maybe you're just "stirring" up the odor?

Jen

 

[lfoose]

Maybe? I've read though, you are supposed to turn the litter.

 

[kassy68]

OH.. like I discoverd,,, mine has been used as a kitty litter box.. uuuugh.. has anyone ever seen a cat fly??? makes me mad, have to wire off the loft so they can cross over anymore..

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Depending on which way the windows open (in or out), nail or screw w/washers some heavy duty hardware cloth over the window opening to serve as secure screens...

 

[chauqg]

Had same problem earlier this year..... Ventilation Ventilation Ventilation and lots, as I was told, will solve the problem,

and it did! I missed the depth of you bedding.. I am using 6 inches of pine wood shavings - I believe that is a minimum. Good luck.

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

I've gotten my girls to turn the litter (if only the top layer is soiled).
Use a few handfuls of bird seed and sprinkle on top of the litter and
they will scratch and turn it for you.

 

[rancher hicks]

The hard cold facts. The frost is from the moisture of the poop. That's where it is coming from. There is not enough ventilation and it needs to be cleaned. Please do some research on the "deep littler method". It does not work in every situation and is not for everybody. If you smell ammonia it is dangerous and the coop needs to be cleaned.

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
<chuckle> Well, I think everybody has probably convinced you now to get some ventilation going.

Definitely get those upper windows open...that will make a BIG difference! Screen them over with the mentioned hardware cloth so that you can still open and close them. Secure the hardware cloth with large washers and screws. You might even want to add some 1"x4" welded wire fencing over the hardware cloth just for added security. It looks like you've got some rainy weather for the next few days but if you can open any of those *upper* windows without getting rain on the inside it will help. I would go ahead and break the paint seals because it is going to have to be done sooner or later and your chickens need the ventilation now. If nothing else open them during the day until you can get the openings covered securely with the

The frost you saw is from a combination of the moisture in the poop, the chickens breathing, and possibly from some dampness coming through the concrete floor. The ventilation will let the moisture in the air escape. Though you are smelling ammonia now, if you get some good ventilation going and dry the litter and structure out some the smell should lessen a good bit or either go away completely. 19 chickens in a 30x15 coop for three months and with scraping and removing the poop from the roosts shouldn't be overloading the litter.

The ammonia smell from microbal decomposition going on in the moist litter. Take away the moisture and the decomposition comes almost to a complete halt.

A coop that has had chickens in it for a while will naturally have a build up of fecal wastes. A large portion of chicken poop is liquid, primarily uric acid. If the litter and house are relatively dry most of the moisture will evaporate out of the waste leaving a more or less dry residue. Remember, too, the bulk of the waste is being removed from the coop when the roost/dropping boards are cleaned, but there will definitely be poop in the litter regardless. When the moisture dries from the waste there is little if any smell. BUT...to dry the litter and waste adequate ventilation to carry the moisture out of the coop is required. Without the venitilation the moisture remains and increases as the the chickens continue to breath and poop. I think (and this is my very rank newb opinion) that if you can get some air moving through the coop and dry the litter out that your ammonia problem will go away a you may very well not have to replace the litter.

Here is an article on using the deep litter method that you might find informative: Deep Litter in Chicken Houses by Robert Plamondon

BTW, what type of litter do you use and how deep is it?

Ed