PDZ Coop Refresher

[bayareapilot]

I have recently been using PDZ Coop Refresher. I have had 3 chickens die after coop cleaning and applying this. I don’t know if this is the definitive cause, but now I’m wondering. The girls are absolutely fine and healthy, I clean the coop, put in the refresher and when I go to close the coop at sundown, bam, another one of my ladies has died. I don’t know if they’re eating it but I am guessing they are. It says all natural and organic on the bag, but I can’t find a list of actual ingredients. Am I crazy? Any thoughts?

Thank you!

So sorry to hear about your loss of your chickens. I've been using sweet Pdz for about 10 years with all my chickens and never had a problem with it. I always use the granules I never use the powdered version, I don't know if that would make a difference?

I'm not a vet but I would look to something else as a possible cause

 

[Lil TexHens]

Do you use the granules or powder? I can't tell from the photo. And how is it working for you? I was thinking about doing this inside the coop, I was thinking it would be easier to scoop out poop like cat litter. I keep reading not to do 100% PDZ... if it's all natural, it wouldn't hurt the birds, just the wallet.

I use the granules! It is more cost effective if you can find the 40 lb. bags. If not, the 25 lb. bags. I highly recommend Sweet PDZ (zeolite)!!! Oh yes, all natural and safe!

 

[bayareapilot]

Do you use the granules or powder? I can't tell from the photo. And how is it working for you? I was thinking about doing this inside the coop, I was thinking it would be easier to scoop out poop like cat litter. I keep reading not to do 100% PDZ... if it's all natural, it wouldn't hurt the birds, just the wallet.

I just spread it out on the dropping board. For the rest of the coop, I use regular general use sand from the box stores and will sometimes mix a little sweet pdz in with it too.

 

[misha42201]

Has anyone tried sand or speedy dry in the coop. It would be easy to clean but I'm new to this & thinking outloud.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I've heard that sand absorbs odors and moisture and thus becomes smelly and heavy. I had considered using it but saw too many bad reviews here so changed my mind. I use pine shavings mostly now.

 

[aart]

Has anyone tried sand or speedy dry in the coop. It would be easy to clean but I'm new to this & thinking outloud.

Answered you here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-coop.1390497/

 

[chickity-chick]

I have been using it for years with no problems. I use it in the tray that is under the roost so i can scoop the poop like cat litter! My girls sometimes do eat it and a couple prefer it to regular granite grit...go figure! Are you using it as a floor cover? I have a friend that was using sand on the floor of her coop and lost a couple of hens because they were eating too much sand. I'm really sorry to hear about you loosing some chickens.

You just gave me a bit of a fright. I have a sand run-all play sand with some pea gravel. Should I be worried about them eating it?!?? I don’t want them to die!

 

[bayareapilot]

I've heard that sand absorbs odors and moisture and thus becomes smelly and heavy. I had considered using it but saw too many bad reviews here so changed my mind. I use pine shavings mostly now.

All I can do is tell you that sand is absolutely great. I use regular general use bags of sand from home Depot or Lowe's. I have a long-handled all metal Kitty scoop and I just go through the area and scoop up the clumps. works beautifully makes cleaning a breeze I'll also to I mix it with a little bit of sweet pdz.
Using sand as a substrate was one of the best suggestions I ever got from Bay area chicken.com

 

[BigBlueHen53]

All I can do is tell you that sand is absolutely great. I use regular general use bags of sand from home Depot or Lowe's. I have a long-handled all metal Kitty scoop and I just go through the area and scoop up the clumps. works beautifully makes cleaning a breeze I'll also to I mix it with a little bit of sweet pdz.
Using sand as a substrate was one of the best suggestions I ever got from Bay area chicken.com

Thank you for this. Do you use the sand just on your poop boards, or on the floor of your coop, or in your run?

 

[bayareapilot]

Thank you for this. Do you use the sand just on your poop boards, or on the floor of your coop, or in your run?

On the poop words I use straight sweet pdz. Absorbs the ammonia and the moisture very effectively.
In the bottom of their Coop and in their run area I use bags of sand. Again very easy to clean everything stays nice and fresh.