Deep litter, ammonia smell

[Ratchnick]

I have about 6 inches of shavings in the coop, i turned it today and got a strong wiff of ammonia. Is this from the bedding being to wet, or not stiring enough or both?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Is the duck house on a dirt floor or something else?
Are you using large flake or small?

I am using large flake over a painted wood floor. I fluff them every morning. I change them out every 2 weeks. With the fine shavings I did not feel they fluffed well and stayed wetter.

Personally I don't like leaving poopy bedding in the coop more than a week or two.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I am getting the ammonia smell too and we just had three days of rain. I think mine are too wet. I am on my out to shovel the wet stinky shaving out and put down some new ones.

 

[Ratchnick]

I'm using small flake, and its on a painted plywood floor also. 5x10 floor with 7 saxonies.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Mine is a 5x8 with 7 welsh harlequins.
Try the large flake and kick them around every morning. I think you will be surprised how well they fluff back up. To me fluffed with air pockets means more surface area is able to dry.

I was not happy with how the fine shavings packed down so fast and got gross.