Oregon

[Noncentzter]

I use sand in my coop, it's approx 4" deep and since this is my first winter with chickens, I'm wondering if what I'm experiencing is normal in the PNW. I think I have adequate ventilation, but the sand is WET and stinky, so is this a ventilation problem or just normal?

john

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Hmmm..I dunno. I only put sand in my run, and put large bark nuggets over the sand. I have deep shavings inside.

 

[chickerdoodle]

Wet and stinky sand is not a good sign.

Ventilation certainly can be a big part of the issue. If you open the door to the henhouse and smell something bad (like ammonia) your ventilation is not good enough. In the PNW you can even have one wall completely open (with secure hardware cloth though for predator protection) as long as there is no draft on the birds. Cross ventilation is great if its higher than the birds when they roost.

Some other ways to figure it out is by the following:

What is the sq. footage of the henhouse?
How many chickens do you have using that house and are they standard size or bantams?
This is to determine if the house is big enough to handle the waste load.

Is your henhouse raised or is the sand directly on the ground? Is there a leak from somewhere?
If its on the ground it is more likely getting wet from the ground up as well as waste on top. Bad combination in the PNW. You may need to build a floor that is raised at least a foot off the ground. A leak is self explanatory.

Do they spend any time outside in the rainy weather? Is your run ( if you have one) covered?
Too much time in the henhouse increases the load of waste and moisture in the house. A covered run really helps keep a lot of moisture out and gives the chickens more space to move about in the open air.

I'd clean it out

and add a little food grade DE to the sand and mix it in. It may help some but you'll need to address other issues.

 

[Noncentzter]

Good questions!

Coop is 120 sq ft. 25 LF chickens. Coop is on a cement slab. No outside run. Free range outside daily. Ventilation is good, no amonia smell. Not really stinky, just squishy in places. During the summer the sand stays dry.

Yes, I guess it's time to replace the sand! Thanks for all the help!!

john

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Off subject here guys, but....


Shawna - I'm trying to PM you back but your inbox is full...

 

[Noncentzter]

Mine isn't and I always enjoy hearing from you! LOL

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
Oh, you're so funny John! Ok, I'll PM you and let you "in" on what I'm doing and needing to talk to Shawna about!!

 

[Xtina]

Anyone in the Portland area or nearby want to trade your large coop for a medium sized coop? Mine is a 4X8, a couple of years old. It's pretty charming, if I do say so myself, but it's also been well used over the course of a few years. It's got four nesting boxes, an enclosed indoor area, and an open-air area, both with roosts. I want to expand my flock and I don't think this size will cut it anymore.

 

[RiddleMe]

Hi!

Newbie to BYC, located in Terrebonne (Central Oregon).

 

[Noncentzter]

Hey RiddleMe...