- Mar 30, 2011
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I have 5 chickens in a coop that is 4 feet by 5 feet by 6 feet high. Three are full-sized hens, one is a Bantam hen, and one is a big rooster.
I have been cleaning poop out every day because I read the moisture build-up from poop can contribute to the rooster getting frostbite on his large comb, combined with the moisture from their breathing.
They nest on a shelf at night on which they poop. The poop freezes on there.
The problem is the next several nights it is to be very cold here. 0 F, and no higher than 5 F. The stores are all out of the bales of pine shavings I was planning to put around the coop to insulate it. I do have bales around the area where they nest, but not around the whole building.
It snowed yesterday, and the snow has formed a nice insulation around the door to the coop. If I were to go in and scoop poop, I would have to destroy this snow insulation to get inside.
So I'm wondering how long I could go without removing the poop without subjecting them to health risks?
I have read that the poop does add a bit of heat, but I've also read that toxic ammonia fumes could build up from it, which are hard on the chickens' respiratory systems. So I'm not sure which would be better-- scooping the poop every day, or leaving the snow insulation in place and not scooping the poop-- at least until the cold snap is over or the snow melts?
The coop is not insulated and does have some ventilation.
The rooster's comb is starting to look bad, like it could have the beginnings of frostbite. He is part white leghorn and has a huge comb. All thoughts will be appreciated.
I have been cleaning poop out every day because I read the moisture build-up from poop can contribute to the rooster getting frostbite on his large comb, combined with the moisture from their breathing.
They nest on a shelf at night on which they poop. The poop freezes on there.
The problem is the next several nights it is to be very cold here. 0 F, and no higher than 5 F. The stores are all out of the bales of pine shavings I was planning to put around the coop to insulate it. I do have bales around the area where they nest, but not around the whole building.
It snowed yesterday, and the snow has formed a nice insulation around the door to the coop. If I were to go in and scoop poop, I would have to destroy this snow insulation to get inside.
So I'm wondering how long I could go without removing the poop without subjecting them to health risks?
I have read that the poop does add a bit of heat, but I've also read that toxic ammonia fumes could build up from it, which are hard on the chickens' respiratory systems. So I'm not sure which would be better-- scooping the poop every day, or leaving the snow insulation in place and not scooping the poop-- at least until the cold snap is over or the snow melts?
The coop is not insulated and does have some ventilation.
The rooster's comb is starting to look bad, like it could have the beginnings of frostbite. He is part white leghorn and has a huge comb. All thoughts will be appreciated.