New to Chicken raising/ lots of questions

[chicken50]

I just ordered my first chickens. I have been really lucky with getting equipment from locals who have backyard flocks.

I have just a few questions now, I have a pole barn that houses everything that you would normally find in a garage. I plan to section off about a 8X8 section for the chickens which include two windows. My question is will the smell be overwhelming in the Barn. (I will have around 12 to 14 Chickens). They will be able to come and go as they please into a fenced area at first then free ranging when I become more educated.

I found a product on a auction site that claims you spray it on the litter and can also add it to the drinking water of the chickens. Does this sound right?

Thank you for taking the time to write back
Jim Bonner

 

[kstaven]

Use the search function here and check "deep litter" "DE" or "diatomaceous earth" and "sweet pdz". All these will help make your life easy and help control odor. I have over 100 chickens in one of my coops and there is no smell from them. People always comment on the lack of chicken smell.

This should get you started. There is tons of information on this forum.

 

[chicken50]

Thank you for getting back to me

For the DE do I just spread it around my litter?

Thanks Jim

 

[kstaven]

Just a very fine dusting in the litter. It goes a long ways. You will find using it you don't get the flies either.