Does any one use ground limestone on shavings on the coop floor?

[Arielle]

Many people use the DE to help dry the flooring material. BUt does anyone use ground limestone instead?

 

[sammyh312]

ag lime will dry their feet out while food grade DE wont. limes cheap, but steer clear of it.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

ag lime will dry their feet out while food grade DE wont. limes cheap, but steer clear of it.

Ag lime is Calcium Carbonate, just like oyster shell.

It will not hurt their feet

Hydrated Lime (which is usually powdered) is Calcium Hydroxide, and can BURN their feet because it it caustic when wet.

DE will absorb as much moisture as anything (which is a big part of why it's used)​

 

[Arielle]

THanks for the input--seems like the DE might dry more than the limestone.Not entirely clear on that. BUt to definitely stay away from hydrated limestone.

 

[kurt s]

I put horse stall mats on our floor that will last forever.

 

[mizzouroo1]

I use waste rock or some call it screenings works great easy to clean coop

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

seems like the DE might dry more than the limestone

Neither DE nor Lime will absorb enough to be used alone, but both will help, and both will control odors to some degree.

Lime is a LOT cheaper than DE, but DE has the added benefit of killing some insects

Mixing either of them with pine shavings will keep things dry and keep odors down​