Smell

[quailboy 73]

Is it ok to put lime in a quail and pheasant pen for the smell? I try to keep it raked out everyday,but still has a little bit of smell to it. What should i do?

 

[Robo]

If the birds can come in contact with the lime no, I put a little barn lime in my drop pans though. Just not where they can touch it.

 

[kahlertm]

DE- Diotomacious Earth (food grade) ? By the way, I know I am mucking up the thread, but does DE also "worm" the birds? I have heard claims that it is the cure all end all wonder amendment to your litter/floor/ bedding/ food/ water....shall I go on.

Put it in their food and water and I read that it will cut down on the smell from the inside out. Somebody please stop me if this is "folklore" and has no reality or proof to it. I would like to know from you tried and true folks.

 

[kahlertm]

I just looked it (Diotomaceous Earth) up on wikipedia (not that that is the truth source of the world) and it claims all of the above, (my worming question) used in feed....except smell. So, MPC.com sells it and claims it cuts smell in deep litter.
Tonya

 

[Stellar]

DE isn't good for my indoors as it causes respiratory problems in quail. I use it outdoors on the chickens but not so much on quail. Now, I do sprinkle pyrithrin on the birds twice a year for mites (they don't have that either but it's a precautionary measure). What I DO put in the dust baths is this. I do to the back yard and dig up sand, THEN I put oyster shell and meal worms in there...This is for the coturnix. For worming, a few drops of ACV in the water once a month (I use water bottles). and then I give them vit C from the creeping charlie out back (or crumble up vit c tabs and dissolve in a jug of water and then fill the water bottles).

Quail smell, no doubt. pine shaving eliminate that smell. Also just clean out the dropping pans each day. That's what I do

Fans help for indoors...

Why do I keep my Quail indoors? Lighting control and predator control. But the whole building is open during the day, the birds get fresh air and when I am cleaning cages they see the great outdoors

Also theft control...but I am not going there....

But DE I don't know if cuts smell, I haven't experienced any smell going down with it, mucking out chicken pens and adding new shaving keeps smell away

And now I noticed I am babbling so I shall stop

 

[kahlertm]

Thanks for the tip on the respiratory issue. I was wondering myself if I would have mesothelioma someday from all I inhaled this summer. I puked from coughing at one point. Not brilliant, over here. Mask important Tonya...

I agree with Quaillady on prevention ie; cleaning and pine shavings. I have to keep my bantams and the new quail inside too (separated by at least 3 rooms - garage to finished basement for biosecurity), because of extreme cold. So pans underneath with some absorbant, compostable (which most of it is) litter in it, and/ or cleaning daily to weekly. Our garage which has an entire wall of birds right now, could smell horrible. But instead you get the smell of pine (and a little reminant of teck trol) when you even go near the door.

Big compost pile just out and to the side of the garage, will feed the garden great this year.

So for smell, with chickens I will go with DE and with the Quail I will go with drop pans and rapid removal of the contents into compost.

If I want to stay married, it is a must...

. I just prefer clean. Keeps everybody healthy.

I used to run the County Animal Shelter and Animal Control here. Inspections and investigations too. Prevention was always what could have saved a situation gone bad. Just moving waste away from the animal was the ounce of prevention that could have saved a pound of cure.

Tonya

 

[kahlertm]

Sorry I rambled quailboy. You did say you raked daily. Forgive me...wasn't even referring to your practices. Just what I have seen before on the subject of smell (and health for that matter). Cheers.

Tonya

 

[shelleyd2008]

If they are in a ground pen (sounds like it) you could put a layer of rock down and top it with sand. That should help some with the stink.

 

[MicroFarmMom]

I just used kitty litter in the dropping pan (I got it for a buck at the dollar store), and the container that catches is a good ft below - is this safe?

 

[ChickenChaps]

Ive read too, DE is no good wet, mixing with water doesnt do anything for helping with worming internally. Correct me if Im wrong.