Need advice on odor issue

[TGarcia]

I've read that some people put down shavings or straw. I've tried the shavings and it does help a little. The smell is not that bad now, and I do keep it cleaned and raked out on a regular basis. But with the warmer temps coming soon, I'm worried that the smell may intensify, and I don't want any issues with neighbors or with loads of flies coming around.

I read some people on here use this lime stuff and just work it into the ground. Which kind is ok to use for chickens? And does this stuff work as good as I've read about.

 

[Moabite]

I use the deep litter method in the coop and sand in the run and have no odor problems. I haven't changed my shaving since November. I will next week though, not because it stinks, but I want to get litter into the compost pile and have it ready for the garden by May. I will also be replacing the sand. Deep litter method works great!

 

[TarHeelBlue]

How deep do you make the litter??? And do you put it in all at once or add some through out the months?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Try http://www.sweetpdz.com/

I use sweet pdz and love it inside my shed coop. I am pretty sure it is also rated for outdoor use in the run.

 

[gsim]

Quote:
I use deep litter method and just add/top-dress it all year long. I use grass clippings. Free and smell great. I do nothing for outside since my run is 1900 sq ft and sloped, odor has not been a problem with only 24 chooks. In your place, I might try coarse sand, the type used for concrete.

For keeping coops clean smelling, installing properly designed poop boards and scraping daily

is best. Also install a covered outside roost for a rainy day hangout. Keeps them outdoors with their poop instead of adding to load and odors in coop.

gerry

 

[WoodlandWoman]

You're talking about shavings and also about working things into the ground. Are you using shavings in a run, have a dirt floored coop or are you talking about managing a coop and also a run? I'm just a little confused. I may need more coffee this morning, too.

 

[elmo]

Is the odor problem coming from your coop or your run?

If it's the coop, do you use a droppings board or tray? That can often help because it makes it easy to clean out a night's worth of poo quickly in the morning, and in most weather chickens will be outdoors during the daytime, which means only a small amount of droppings remain in the coop bedding. How's your ventilation?

If the odor is coming from the run, you may have a moisture problem out there. You can roof the run to keep out rain, improve drainage, put down sand. Dry droppings have very little odor.

 

[Judy]

I believe odor is usually because of moisture or poor ventilation. I remove my litter once or twice a year, for the compost, as Moabite said, and there is no odor, but my coop is more or less open air. I use pine shavings and hay, and never remove poop other than for compost. I do add pine shavings now and then. The only time I've noticed any odor has been when the shavings got wet.

You can use agricultural lime. I find pelletized lime by far the best. It is in tiny granules and doesn't cause the dust the white stuff does, nor does it get stuck on the chickens' feet. Costs an extra $1 or so but I'm still working on my first bag which I've had over a year.

 

[funnybirds]

This is a great question. I've been worried about the same thing.
I wonder about the sand method. Is it easier to clean up or just have a more deodorizing quality?

 

[Judy]

Quote:
From reading only, never having used sand, I'd say it's easier to clean up, can be scooped like kitty litter. But pine shavings are what have a deodorizing quality to them. I spread some around any time it's getting a bit musty in the coop, and it freshens things right up.