Meat Bird Stink - how to keep it down?

[DenverBird]

Got a batch of 6-week old meaties in the back coop and the neighbor is complaining about the smell. They're red broilers so they're only half way through their grow-out period.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to keep the smell down?

Thanks!

-DB

 

[Huntress78]

I don't know if there is a way other than cleaning the coop daily and removing the waste from your property.
I start with a clean coop, sprinkle a layer of Sweet PDZ and baking soda then pine shavings. The next day I'll turn it, add more Sweet PDZ/soda and top dress with more shavings. The following day I clean out the whole coop and start over. Even doing this every day I can't believe how bad it smells.

If the smell is coming from composted bedding maybe you could cover it with barn lime.

Oh, and I'd be sure to give that neighbor your best bird when you butcher!

 

[Oregon Blues]

To minimize odor, you must keep them clean. If their bowels are loose or yellowish, then add a big spoonful of yogurt to their drinking water every day when you clean out their waterer.

 

[DenverBird]

Thanks guys - I'd completely forgotten about apple cider vinegar and just dosed their waterer. Hopefully this will help, as I can't clean their coop daily or even weekly. I'll put some yoghurt in there tomorrow for the probiotic aspect.

Any other suggestions?

-DB

 

[wyoDreamer]

There is a thread here in the Meat Bird section on FERMENTED FEED.
The people in the thread are reporting that fermenting the feed is helping to make the poop more solid and less stinky.
Maybe give that a try.

Here is the link to it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

Basically, take the feed and put it in a bucket. Add enough water to completely immerse the feed, along with a "glug" of unpasturized Apple Cider Vinegar that still has the mother in it (I would guess a glug at 1/2 cup). BRAGGS is the recommended brand of ACV with mother that can be purchased at alot of health foods.

 

[maryhysong]

deep litter and plenty of it. the more birds the more poop the more carbon you need to add to absorb it and keep the odor down (obviously a little more room might help, also keep the pen as dry as possible; wet poop really stinks.) Use straw, pine shavings, shredded cornstalks/cobs, sawdust, fallen leaves; any kind of carbon will work, just keep topping it up as needed. When the broilers are done; then clean it all out, pile it up and let it finish composting for the garden.

 

[what did I do]

Free range the birds are happier, the smell goes way down, and the birds are healthier.

 

[galanie]

You can't even clean it weekly? No wonder it stinks. There's the root of your problem. Fermented feed does help, I use it myself. As does giving them as much room as you can.