Lime in the coops?

[mama dixie]

I had a horrid time with coxy and went to a avairy specialist and she had me put down a thick thick layer of ag lime then cover it with straw. the ag lime kills the coxi and it really helps the smell alot. I did not have any problums from the ag lime I use it once a year now. just wear a good mask and gogles when you spread it.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
Ag lime or hydrated lime? Ag lime is just crushed limestone, the same as the fines in a gravel driveway. Hydrated lime will kill the microbes and help with the smell.

 

[saladin]

Mac,
I think that mama dixie heard correctly. Ag lime helps prevent cocci by drying up the area. Since cocci flourish in a warm wet environment the ag lime by absorbing the extra moisture will help. Of course, ag lime is not going to kill anything, but it will dry it out. That was probably the reason for the advice she was given.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
So what's the point of the mask and goggles then?

 

[saladin]

Quote:
So what's the point of the mask and goggles then?

You got me? Maybe she is allergic to dust?

 

[mama dixie]

I wore the mask and goggles becuse it is a fine powder that I used and if I did not wear the mask I would of inhaled the dust. I have ashma. I must admit I wear a mask alot when with my chickens becuse of this. But the bird vet who gave me this golden advice that helped me save my flock advised me to always wear a mask when working with ag lime in the garden or otherwise asthma or not it is horid for your lungs and so I tell everyone to be safe and wear a good mask and goggles. when I did not wear gogiles I get the worst eye goobers ;O on our new coop it has a dry run and I am going to put some cheap floor covering I can mop in the main nesting area . it only takes one time to lose a bird you love to make you do all you can to keep coxi at bay. I hope this helps make what I was told more clear. it only cost me like close to 1,000 in bird vet bills to get this advice so thought I would share.

 

[SteveBaz]

DE only!!!! it will not create issues later on

 

[saladin]

Steve,

Ag lime doesn't have any issues. I don't understand what you are refering too.

By using ag lime as was suggested there are several advantages:

1. Reduce smell.
2. Reduce cocci outbreaks (if re-applied once wet).
3. Once taken to the compost pile because the lime has already begun to breakdown (it takes 3 months) then it is garden ready faster.

As to hydrated lime. Mac will have to respond. However, hydrated lime as a use around the farm is a very old traditional method: from whitewash on down the line.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
IMO, DE=snake oil

I did try ag lime in the hen house once. The national organic standards do not allow the use of hydrated lime in deodorizing manure as it can increase nitrogen losses, so I normally only use it for sanitizing between flocks. After a torrential rain I had water come under a wall and wet several tons of litter along that wall. After a week it was starting to rot and was absolutely foul. I spread a couple hundred pounds of ag lime and it didn't help much. It caked up and didn't do a lot to dry it out. The area resembled wet fines in a gravel driveway. I finally stirred in several hundred pounds of hydrated lime and it helped tremendously, it sanitized the litter and killed the smell, it also heated up and helped it to dry out. After I stirred it in I could hold my hand against the top of the litter pack and feel the warmth.

http://www.plamondon.com/faq_deep_litter.html

 

[N. Virginia]

Hydrated lime is very caustic to skin when wet; don't know about chickens, but I've seen it burn right through a horse's skin after they lay on their wet, limed bedding. The result was a bleeding wound that took months to heal. Maybe chickens are tougher, but I wouldn't want it on my chicken's feet.

Sweet ADZ works well for odor. DE works for insects. Never used barn lime.
good luck,
N. VA