My smelly chicken run...

[pjbarb]

How do I use hydrated lime? Should I turn it into the Run's soil or should I broadcast it? My chicken's will probably eat it if I broadcast. How much should I use? My run is 10 x 15...

I also read food grade DE, but it looks like a problem to find here in CT...

Thanks, Paul

 

[2manyhats]

I don't know about lime, but we have always used DE with out farm animals. You can find it online. Just google it.

 

[dogzrule5]

Do a search on this topic. I just read last week that hydrated lime will harm the chickens; you must use garden or agrictulture grade lime.

I don't know what the difference is but look for it just in case!!

 

[Stephen in SoKY]

Hydrated lime acts much faster & has never harmed any birds here. Yes, you can mix it in with bedding or run soil.

 

[antiquebuff]

I get my DE at http://www.custommilling.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=27
They have very quick shipping and it is very reasonably priced !
I ordered on Monday and had it by Wed. They offer 25 or 50 lb. bags. Check it out! This stuff is amazing.....and you will have happy chickens.

 

[willheveland]

I use hydrated lime all the time.In the winter I use it in the henhouse under the roosts to get rid of the smell.In the summer I use it where my chicken tractor has been if the ground is really beat up after the cornish rocks get moved.
The best thing you can do for your run is put down your lime(kinda dust your ground) then roto-till it in your soil.It is really good for the ground and your chickens will love digging in the nice loose soil.You could shovel some of the tilled dirt in your garden as well.
The nice thing about hydrated lime is it is very cheap($3-$5) Don't get me wrong I know DE is great stuff but VERY $$$$$
Will

 

[redhen]

the DE didnt work at all for me....

....wendy

 

[GallowayFarms]

You want to till the hydrated lime into the soil. If you get your lime at a farm store, it will be safe to use around animals. There are different types of hydrated lime, and yes some can be harmful. That is why when you goto buy it tell them you are using it around live stock.

Secondly it doesn't take alot. Just make sure to work it in the soil. And only add some when it starts to smell.

Yes DE is expensive, bc it is made for use in the food industry. You can get none food grade for less money. But alot of people use too much of it. DE contain silica. If you breath in too much silica it can do damage to your lungs. Food grade DE contains less silica but can be just as harmful if you use too much and don't get it tilled into the soil you are working with or bedding.

It scares me how people rub DE all over everything etc. If you aren't wearing gloves DE can actually make tiny cuts in your hands or if you are breathing in the dust that is bad too. ALWAYS WEAR A MASK when working with DE and/or Lime.

Good Luck

Nick

 

[spatcher]

Anybody ever cut their hands with DE??? Food Grade DE is the same consistency as baking flour and is as dangerous. If you dont know what you are talking about or have not done any research regarding it, please dont give people bad information. It is SO dangerous, that people (myself included) eat it!!! For ANY questions you may have regarding Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth see www.freshwaterorganics.com/what_is_de.htm

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I don't know about DE with the run yet as my birds are still chicks but I can tell you this...I LOVE It under the litter in my cat litter box! It's so much CLEANER to clean up! lol Instead of getting clumps of clay in a corner when I dump...it now just all comes out NO clumps! I will buy it just for that if it does not work in my run. I have heard many swear by it in their runs tho and how wonderful it works. I will be trying it for sure.