Lime Versus DE For Odor Control

[WoodlandWoman]

Also check to make sure rain isn't blowing or leaking in through the windows, vents or the pop hole door. If you find any areas like that, maybe we can help you find a way to fix it.

 

[corliss]

I only added the sand to the coop about a week ago. I noticed it was damp as it came out of the bag and unfortunately, it hasn't dried out much since. We scoop it every day to remove the poop and I have quite a bit of ventilation in the coop itself. It is puzzling to me why it smells so bad when we are constantly picking up and raking. I'd use Sweet PDZ but it too is composed in part of DE. I just attended a poultry seminar tonight where the speaker felt wood chips were infinitely superior as they absorb moisture, then dry out and can be used for months at a time. I may try the garden lime and see if helps the smell, then switch to wood chips if the sand keeps retaining odor.

 

[MTU58EGGER]

Hello

I went to the Feed store and they recommended I use agricurtial lime. The regular lime could burn there feet.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
I tried wood chips before I put down sand, and in my opinion, sand is much better. Sand doesn't absorb or retain moisture like wood chips do, but I don't think you want to retain moisture. You want moisture to dry up quickly. I wonder if what you have is a drainage problem? Odd, too, that your sand was damp coming out of the bag. I've never had that happen.

Picking droppings out of wood chips is pretty much impossible. You just need to let it compost, which is what organic matter like wood chips will end up doing.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

If the sand was damp when you put it in the coop and hasn't dried out, yet, I'd say that's your problem. Normally, you'd want to start with dry sand. Can you do anything to help it dry out faster? Either open the coop up more, use a fan or take some of the sand out to dry in the sun? I think once you can get it dried out, it should be fine.

Deep litter uses an organic litter and is definitely managed to have some moisture in it. Litter that is too dry can be dusty, which is bad. Litter that is too dry won't compost in the coop. Litter that is too wet will be stinky. Litter that has an imbalance between the carbon in the shavings (too little) and the high nitrogen chicken poop (too much) will be stinky.

In a deep litter coop, unless you have a water leak somewhere, if a coop is stinky, you either need to add more shavings on top or stir up litter from the bottom, if you started with an extra deep amount of litter, instead of doing the layer method. Eventually, even the deep litter coops that aren't started with the layer method need more litter added. Deep litter coops are usually cleared out yearly, in the spring.

In a non-deep litter coop with organic litter, if it's stinky, you clean out the dirty litter that has become too wet and has too much chicken poop in it. This is the management style where the litter is more often kept as dry as possible and cleaned frequently, sometimes spot cleaned daily.

With a sand coop, you aren't dealing with any composting and sand is heavier than litter dust. Your only objectives in a sand coop are having it be dry and raking/scooping out the poop daily.

 

[corliss]

Woodland Woman: Thank you for the clear explanation of the litter process. I am going to try and dry out the sand this weekend and see if that does the trick.

 

[missred871]

If you use lime, make SURE it is Ag lime. Any of the other two limes will definately injure your birds and could possibly cause death. Ag lime however is safe for bird consumption and will help with the odor. We use it in our garden, and with our chickens in their coops. I did extensive research with the lime before using it. So if you dont want to use DE then go with Ag lime, just make sure it is in fact Ag lime.

 

[corliss]

I'm happy to report that with a full airing and some warm temperatures, the coop sand dried out and the smell disappeared. It also helped to throw a couple of shovel fulls of dirt over the area where I have been stockpiling the poop for use next year. Thanks, everyone, for your help!

 

[artsyrobin]

so is ag lime the same as gardening lime?? had someone tell me that gardening lime is not strong enough for the run??

 

[ronniega1]

what does de stand for so i can buy some at the tractor store