Disgusting!

[team_realtree]

I have 8 rhode island reds that are a week and a half old. The smell that is recently coming from the aquarium they are in is abosolutely disgusting. It is hands down the most repulsive odor I have ever smelt in my life. Is this normal? My house smells like crap! They are on large flakes of saw dust and I just changed it yesterday. The bedding is suprisingly clean and the chicks themselves don't smell. Any suggestions?

 

[Ashmeade]

Get some ducklings. The chickens will then smell better comparatively....

 

[chicmom]

Eight chicks? I hope that's a huge aquarium.....They might need more room.....I think you're smelling cecal droppings...it's the poo that is kinda butterscotch colored and runny. It's unfortunately, normal.

 

[TXmom]

Quote:

This is why I've been able to resist ducklings so far...they are soooooo adorable, but I've heard about the mess and the stink

My chicks are just over 2 weeks old, and honestly, I don't think they small bad at all. It's important to have plenty of room for them, the smell can get bad if they're over crowded and/or there's not enough ventilation. My brooder is 4' by 4' for 12 chicks so they have plenty of room to run around. Also, I have about 2-3 inches of pine shavings.

 

[team_realtree]

It is a 20 gallon aquarium. I have another 10 gallon aquarium I was planning on putting some in once they outgrew this one. Perhaps this odor is sign they have already outgrown it?!?

 

[AnnainMD]

I'm curious, what brand of starter are you feeding them?

 

[Lesa]

I would get them out of the aquarium. I doubt you can get enough ventilation in there, and it sounds crowded. You can make a cardboard circle, open at the top (if you don't have animals or small kids) or you can cover with old window screens etc. Hang the light above and you are good to go. If you are cleaning every couple of days, it should not be disgusting. When it's time to clean it might have a slightly "barny" smell, but not disgusting. Good luck!

 

[andrea98]

i have been there ...hubby says NO MORE STINKING CHICKS IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!! but a good fix is horse stall pellets ..they come in 40 lb bags at tsc & work great!!! i have it in my coop & i have only changed it 2 times & its rolling up on a year....keeps every thing very dry!!! give it a try im sure you will be able to tell the difference!! good luck

 

[Soccer Mom]

A brooder shouldn't stink. It means they've outgrown the aquarium.

 

[scootermom]

I have 6 chicks the same age as yours in a tote that is about 3' x 2'. I change the paper and shavings (just a little of the shavings) every day and it really doesn't smell. I do let them out in the garden for about an hour in the afternoon and then in the evenings they come upstairs to play in their "play pen" (anoverturned coffee table).