Official BYC Poll: How Do You Keep Your Coop Smelling Fresh?

[aart]

Where do you purchase these equine bags of PDZ?

In the equine aisle at tractor supply.

 

[Empty Nestor 76]

I clean the coop daily and add fragrant herbs

I do the same, clean daily, and sprinkle dried basil....no odor

 

[PopoMyers]

Where do you purchase these equine bags of PDZ?

Your local farm store (Tractor Supply, etc.)

 

[PopoMyers]

It won’t hurt them. Mine eat the PDZ and the sand without any problems.

They eat a lot of mysterious things that we don't even know about.
So glad for this natural, safe product. My girls even eat some of the shavings, and don't let them near any styrofoam!

 

[McChooky]

A thin layer of Sweet PDZ on the poop boards, poop boards scooped daily, hemp bedding on the coop floor, hemp bedding changed out annually, 22 sq ft of year round ventilation with an additional 22 sq ft opened up for warm weather ventilation and probably most significantly, a predator proof run attached to the coop where the pop door is never closed where the chickens immediately retreat to when coming off the roost.
The run is covered with wood chips that get raked about every other month to even them out and everything cold composts in there. I've never removed material from the run. My brother-in-law commented when he entered the coop for the first time "I can't believe it doesn't smell in here."
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I used 1/2" hardware cloth on top of my run and along the bottom but 1/4" on the upper part of the sides. Fortunately my coops ventilated good so I don't have to leave my pop up door open to get fresh air inside. I love the design of your coop! Well done!

 

[M Brennen]

They eat a lot of mysterious things that we don't even know about.
So glad for this natural, safe product. My girls even eat some of the shavings, and don't let them near any styrofoam!

Mine eat shavings too, although I wonder if they impact their crops. We made the mistake of putting s styrofoam on the ceiling where the chickens could reach. We learned that real quick.

 

[gtaus]

Mine eat shavings too

I have never seen my chickens eating shavings. But I wonder if eat the shavings because they are hungry or because they are curious. Who knows what goes on in a chicken brain?

FWIW, I keep a hanging DIY 5 Gallon PVC bucket feeder in the coop with feed available 24/7. I don't know if that would keep them from eating shavings, but at least I know they are not eating shavings because they are hungry. My chickens will get all crazy and fight over kitchen scraps I throw out in the morning, but I have never seen them fight to eat feed from the hanging feeder.

 

[M Brennen]

I have never seen my chickens eating shavings. But I wonder if eat the shavings because they are hungry or because they are curious. Who knows what goes on in a chicken brain?

FWIW, I keep a hanging DIY 5 Gallon PVC bucket feeder in the coop with feed available 24/7. I don't know if that would keep them from eating shavings, but at least I know they are not eating shavings because they are hungry. My chickens will get all crazy and fight over kitchen scraps I throw out in the morning, but I have never seen them fight to eat feed from the hanging feeder.

Mine are clearly not hungry. I have four grain containers of various sizes around the coop and run. There is always feed 24/7. I have noticed chickens eating shavings since they were babies. I specifically didn’t put shavings in their space until they were at least six weeks old. Years ago, I had a bad experience with losing three out six babies with sour crop due to what I believe was eating shavings. I recently had an adult bird with sour crop who I noticed was only eating shavings and wouldn’t touch her food (she was the only bird in the box). After I separated her for a while and emptied her crop a few times, she started eating her food again. I’m not sure if it is connected, but they seem to fill up on shavings instead of food and then don’t get enough nutrients to put on any weight. Many of my birds are thin despite having more than enough food.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

A thin layer of Sweet PDZ on the poop boards, poop boards scooped daily, hemp bedding on the coop floor, hemp bedding changed out annually, 22 sq ft of year round ventilation with an additional 22 sq ft opened up for warm weather ventilation and probably most significantly, a predator proof run attached to the coop where the pop door is never closed where the chickens immediately retreat to when coming off the roost.
The run is covered with wood chips that get raked about every other month to even them out and everything cold composts in there. I've never removed material from the run. My brother-in-law commented when he entered the coop for the first time "I can't believe it doesn't smell in here."
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Why e cameras are good, that’s a good idea. We have some too! Also, nice looking coop & flock!

 

[PopoMyers]

Mine eat shavings too, although I wonder if they impact their crops. We made the mistake of putting s styrofoam on the ceiling where the chickens could reach. We learned that real quick.

Haven't had any impacted crops from them eating small bits of shavings, and in my yard, if styrofoam is anywhere, they will find it. I've had to chase them down to prevent them from swallowing it, not always successfully. Thankfully, it passes through.

You also said that they are thin. How long have you raised chickens? I have different breeds, this is a new hobby for me since summer 2020. I, too, was concerned about their weight, until I read not to expect them to be filled out like market meat birds. Mine all weigh differently, as discovered when picking them up. Some are heavier than others, but since they seem and act healthy and have been wormed and pest treated recently, I don't worry so much anymore.