Some basic questions about coop bedding and dust bathing.

[fushalilly]

I have a medium sized coop made of compressed plywood painted with oil based water proofing paint.
The coop gets stinky and moist quickly once the birds drink, poo, and do what chickens do in there. How do I prevent mold, mildew, bugs, and everything else?
Should I put a layer of sand under the pine shavings? SHould I even use pine shavings or is there something better thats relatively cheap?

Also, should I get like a small container of sand so the chickens can dust bathe, or will they do that on their own in the yard?

 

[wynedot55]

shavings will be fine in your henhouse.as for the smell you might try a lil DE.i think that keeps the stink down some.

 

[plapczynski]

The coop should be draft free.

You should also have some sort of ventilation (I have a 1-2' gap along the roof line.

You should also have some windows or vents to open if the temps are warm enough.

The bedding will help as well