Keeping the smell down in a coop.

[RonP]

6 birds but looking to get more and about 10 to 12 feet of ventilation. I just didn't know if there was a bedding that helps with the odor. I am wanting to get away from straw.

Describe in detail if you can your ventilation.

I also have in excess of 1 square foot of ventilation per bird.

Personally, I use ~ 4-6 inches of pine shavings.

I gets refreshed when needed, but only replaced about once per year.

My coop is dry and odor free.

 

[TerryH]

Describe in detail if you can your ventilation.

I also have in excess of 1 square foot of ventilation per bird.

Personally, I use ~ 4-6 inches of pine shavings.

I gets refreshed when needed, but only replaced about once per year.

My coop is dry and odor free.

This is my experience as well. The shavings seem to do a great drying out the poop. We do use a poop tray with PDZ. No smell. Ventilation is super important to this process.

 

[NewFeathersInCo]

Thanks for the advice. I don't think ventilation is my problem I think switching from straw to pine shavings will do the trick.

 

[NewFeathersInCo]

Describe in detail if you can your ventilation.

I also have in excess of 1 square foot of ventilation per bird.

Personally, I use ~ 4-6 inches of pine shavings.

I gets refreshed when needed, but only replaced about once per year.

My coop is dry and odor free.

I have a vent one foot down from the ceiling that is 2x6 then a window that is 3x3 and another vent that is 102 and a door for them that is 11

Here is a picture of what it looked like when we were building it.

 

[junebuggena]

I have a vent one foot down from the ceiling that is 2x6 then a window that is 3x3 and another vent that is 102 and a door for them that is 11
Here is a picture of what it looked like when we were building it.

Not enough ventilation. It's nice, but's designed like a shed or house. Coops need a LOT more ventilation. Your vents are in the wrong spots and too low. If you open up the soffits/eave areas and you open up the gables, you'll have really good airflow, year round. Roof vents are another option. And take out the ceiling.

 

[aart]

I have a vent one foot down from the ceiling that is 2x6 then a window that is 3x3 and another vent that is 102 and a door for them that is 11
Here is a picture of what it looked like when we were building it.

This building contains both coop and office/gardening/supply room?
Pics of inside coop?

 

[RonP]

The humidity level inside the coop should not vary much from outside the coop.

You should check with the use of a hygrometer.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/AcuRite-...Temperature-Comfort-Monitor-00619HD/202260980

Most odor issues are moisture related as dry manure has little odor.

From the pictures, I do not see ~12 square feet of ventilation, closed windows and/or doors do not count

 

[1cock2hens]

Growing up we used to kinds of different litters in our commercial chicken houses, we found that using rice hulls kept the smell down the best, we had to buy in extreme bulk to keep prices down.. not something you can find at most stores.....

 

[NewFeathersInCo]

This is a 20X20 foot building. The coop only takes up the corner showed. They have 6X10 inside with 10 foot tall ceilings. That vent you see above the window is 2 foot by 6 foot the other vent is 1 by 2 and the soffits are open with the over hang. We built this to somewhat match our house. Yes there is an office and a supply room. That closed door you see is 6 foot tall and leads to my office. Their nesting boxes share a wall with my office for easy access to their eggs. I have 6 boxes with only 5 chickens. Soon to be 3 more. I love the design of our coop.

 

[junebuggena]

This is a 20X20 foot building. The coop only takes up the corner showed. They have 6X10 inside with 10 foot tall ceilings. That vent you see above the window is 2 foot by 6 foot the other vent is 1 by 2 and the soffits are open with the over hang. We built this to somewhat match our house. Yes there is an office and a supply room. That closed door you see is 6 foot tall and leads to my office. Their nesting boxes share a wall with my office for easy access to their eggs. I have 6 boxes with only 5 chickens. Soon to be 3 more. I love the design of our coop.

House style construction doesn't work for a chicken coop. Chickens need a lot more ventilation than most people realize. The whole building needs more venting. You can't just vent the coop corner. The whole building needs to be opened up more.