Baking soda?

[depeelm]

So I save a pretty small coop because I only have 3 girls but recently I have noticed that the smell is getting worse and worse. I use cedar chips and clean it almost every weekend but the smell is just bad. I have heard of that powder stuff you can use to make it smell better but I wanted to try some baking soda first as I know it takes away odor from my fridge etc. has anyone done this and is it safe?

 

[Spartan22]

Someone from BYC last year told me to keep them dry, ventilation is a big factor.
Do they have a run? Do you collect night droppings in the morning? I collect them in the morning before heading to work, takes 5 -10 min. And top shavings everyday, so I don't have to clean much. It keeps down odor, without using anything. Vinegar in a jar w/ hole on lid tucked in a corner helped also when I don't have time to clean. Vinegar absorbed ammonia (odor) without harming the birds.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you have smell, you must have dampness, you need more ventilation, is what I would think. Those coops need to be dry.

 

[Folly's place]

Cedar is not good bedding; the oils are irritating to lungs and skin. A dry coop has very little odor, so ventilation and cleaning are in order here. How big is your coop? The dog house type coops are meant to fail, IMO; chickens aren't meant to live that way! Mary