My house smells like a barn!!

[NYRIR]

This is just a rant...I have had these turkey poults in my house for a little over 6 weeks!! I realize a lot of people probably think we are nuts to keep them in the house,but here were my reasons...I wanted to be able to watch them super close so they would stay healthy,and they have.I got 19 and still have 19 6 weeks later.I wanted them people oriented and knew if we put them in the garage,they would not get as much attention.I know we should have built the turkey coop first but,we've foolishly,impulsively bought all our birds first!

You would think we would have learned by now,but....we haven't.We get starry-eyed over a new bird and that's it! It's over!They would be outside now but my job got in a pinch, and I've been working OT...*sigh*...and to top that off....2 of our cars broke down in the last week...so DH has been busy working on cars after work!
I Love my turkeys BUT I AM READY FOR THEM TO BE OUTSIDE! We have a daytime area for them but not one for night time that's safe.

Darn those pesky predators!!
So we have brought this on ourselves,and truth be told...they don't bother ME as much as it bothers me when I have COMPANY...most people DO NOT get it!!

Ok...I am grateful we have jobs....I am grateful we have turkeys now...I am grateful we are able to work at all....

Maybe if I pound it in enough, I'll feel like that!

Ok,I feel better now!

 

[jinxschuh]

I kept my chicks in the basement for quite a few weeks too. Now I understand turkeys have quite a different and stronger order so I'm not sure if this will completely work for you, but it is worth a try.

I cleaned out their box nearly EVERY DAY. Because I was changing it so often I didn't want the cost of shavings so I would put down lots of layers of news papers in the bottom and just used news paper strips as bedding. It was easy to roll the news papers up when changing and lay new ones down and since I used lots of layers I could take as many layers off as I needed to until I got down to clean paper which then kept the plastic box clean eliminating additional order source with out having to wash the box. I also kept a very strongly scented candle going as many day time hours as I could safely in the same room they were in. If candles don't work try incents. The trick is to keep them going long enough during the day that it fills the house all the time and just not trying to mask it when someone is on their way over. It helped that they were in the basement so I could keep them separate from any of the main living areas. But this is how I managed the order while I had little ones to keep a close eye on. My chicks are now 12 weeks old and their run is done enough to keep them outside, but I’m still not completely done with it either.

Good luck!!

 

[kathyinmo]

YIKES ! ! ! Good luck!

 

[featherbaby]

I had chicks inside in a huge box on my dining table through the winter months. I kept the poo scooped out twice a day, put fresh shavings in frequently, and most importantly.....I sprayed the rest of the house with febreeze for fabrics (not the air freshener one). I didn't spray around their box or even in the same room, but my AC circulated the diluted scent through out the house. It really worked! a caution...don't spray it over them or anywhere near where they can breathe it in....their respiratory systems are not able to handle chemical particulate in the air! I don't even burn candles (and incense is WORSE) in the house with birds. Too risky for them.

 

[sheaviance1]

Don't sweat it, your company is coming over to see you, not your house.

 

[jinxschuh]

I didn't know that about the candles. I had one with in 10 feet of their box the whole time they were in the basement and they are no worse for wear...

 

[NYRIR]

Yes, I do clean it daily...and I'm using shavings.They do seem to have a stronger scent than chickens to me...or maybe it's just different and I'm immune to the chickens now LOL...
I hadn't thought of the Febreze....I usually don't use any spray chemicals in the house...but the newspapers and the candle idea are great...
Guess I'll have to run to Yankee Candle tomorrow...they work the best!
Yay! I am selling some tomorrow....so will have less in the house at night

 

[NYRIR]

Quote:
LOL...I know,I know...

 

[NYRIR]

Quote:
Thank you! Will try the paper idea and the candles. Maybe in another room...

 

[Henicillin]

I've been using Carefresh recycled paper bedding with the Gang of Fourteen after trying aspen shavings for a week or so. It's very absorbent and really seems to cut down on smell - I have a good nose and I don't detect any stink in the garage where they live. Even the lawnmower box they lived in up until today doesn't stink, and they were in it for a couple of weeks. The only problem is that the stuff is pretty expensive, at least at TSC (eighteen bucks for the biggest bale - ouch). It does last a while, though. I was also using puppy training pads under the shavings in the box brooders for extra absorbency.

I'd keep the birds in the house in a minute if I didn't have five cats and two dogs who would all appreciate nuggets on the hoof!

I was telling my DH about your turkeys, and trying to convince him that we could use a couple. He hasn't taken the bait yet, though, dang it.