how to keep the smell down?

It doesn't usually smell bad unless it's wet. Wood shavings keeps mine dry and smelling good.

 

Most of the smell comes from not having proper ventilation, or your coop is way too small for the amount of birds you keep there. DE also helps keep the smell to almost a whiff ( good stuff ).

 

Yes D.E works wonders, we also use pine shavings

 

My coops rarely smell at all, not unless we've had a long run of rainy weather and the air itself is saturated. That transfers into the coop. I de-poop under the roosts daily and that helps a great deal. On occasion, I sprinkle in some DE to dry things out since it's a dessicant. Proper ventilation is paramount!

 

I agree with the previous posts: Lots of rain doesn't help, ample ventilation, ample space per bird, DE, etc. I'll add that dropping boards scraped daily (takes a minute or so) really helps keep bedding drier and poo free...

 

Please excuse my ignorance as I am only just getting started with raising chickens but what is DE?
Thanks

 

I use sand on the floor. I use a snake scooper taped to a broom stick and scoop it out like cat litter everyother day and the chickens love and and I have no smell.

 

Diatomacious Earth (sp?) - basically a fine powder made from fossilized matter (forms of algae, etc.)...I believe. Fresh water DE is the type that's safe for animals/plants.

 

Quote:Diatomaceous earth... is a white powder substance which consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It does a lot of good stuff. It is a natural insecticide (due to its abrasive nature) it helps absorb moisture and because of that odor. It must be "food grade". DO NOT use the DE they use for filtering pools... it will harm your chickens. Some people swear that if you mix a small amount with chicken feed (some people give to all their animals) it is a natural dewormer. BTW... your not ignorant... just starting out... we have all been there! Welcome!