As the days have started to warm, albeit slightly, I'm starting to notice the odor of ammonia in my coops. There's a LOT of ventilation in them, so I can't imagine that's the problem, but we've done deep-litter for the floors, and I haven't changed any of it out (only added) since the fall. I did turn the bedding a few times over the winter, but mostly I've left it alone. Yesterday I went out and took 2 30gal trash-cans worth of shavings from under the roost bars out, and added a new bag of shavings to the layer coop, and took 1 trash-can worth of shavings out of the smaller rooster coop and added a fresh bag in there as well. I also turned the old bedding before added the new chips on top. Today, the smell is STRONGER in the layer coop. Should I be concerned? Is this just a result of everything melting and drying/evaporating now that it's above freezing?
We don't have a poop board, but I'll probably make on before next winter.
We don't have a poop board, but I'll probably make on before next winter.