I dont want to get rid of them!

[JulieNKC]

Quote:
pine shaveing well help too if ur not useing bedding at all

The limestone is agricultural lime I think and you get it at a feed store. I use stall- dry. I sprinkle that down whenever I put new bedding in. My coop doesn't stink, and I have ducks in there too, which make a huge mess.

 

[bantamboy]

you need to use dehydrated lime it is not very expensive and works wonders with bad smells my neighbors complain all the time so we keep some on hand for when the smells get bad. it is a white powdery substance and you can get it at your local farm supply store or feed and grain store. best of luck to you

 

[kingdr85]

you can also use the DE (make a search and you will get alot of info on it) with beddding (pine shavings)

 

[NovaAman]

I don't have smell issues, and I don't use anything but pine shavings. I clean the coop about every other day, and do weekly turn overs. My neighbor uses hay and theirs always smells. They use a fly trap for the flys, I didn't have a problem with flies. Skeeters, OH YEAH, but not flies. I have 15 pooping birds in the coop...

 

[HEChicken]

Quote:
x2. My coop floor is dirt with whatever straw falls on it from the walls and nest boxes. The poop dries out almost upon contact and there is no discernible odor at all.

 

[bantamboy]

yes you want to make sure you keep everything as dry as possible

 

[jbourget]

Quote:

shaving or hay is best.... it does work wonders

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

I have hay in my coop and it works well. I turn it and rotate it every few days to keep the smell down and to "fluff" it back up. Also I have my coop opened up a lot to air it out. Works well for us.

 

[Nicole01]

I clean my coop and run 2-4 times a day. The coop is inside the garage and it doesn't stink one bit. I use wood chips in the cool and construction sand an the run. I have the run covered with plastic and it still doesn't stink. I have no idea why you are having issues?

I wanted to add that I have 12 square feet of ventilation in the coop that is inside the garage. I do sprinkle DE on the roosts(which are shelves). That helps with the odors. I never had a problem with flies either. With the DE inside the coop, the coop is bug free. Keeping the poop picked up in the run elminated the flies outside too. I use a litter box scooper to pick the poop up and I get every single one I see.

Good luck.

 

[chickengrandma]

I use pine shavings. And sometimes a little DE (food grade - not the stuff for a pool). The DE gets really dusty, so I only use it at the peak of the summer.

And, I do the deep litter method: sprinkle a little fresh pine shavings on top of the overnight poo every morning. Takes less then a second. Then stir the whole mess up about once every couple of weeks. And only change it all out 2 -3 times per year.

Look up Deep Litter Method - you'll find a bunch of guidance on it. It is awesome for minimal maintenance and the pine shavings really do absorb the wetness and the smell.