Strong amonia smell in hen house???

[ivan3]

You might consider ~3" of sand over the linoleum. This would help with dispersal/evaporation of excessive moisture working its way to the linoleum (this is very useful in parts of the country that experience inordinate humidity). Mixing DE in with the sand will also act as a desiccant.

We don't use deep litter method so I'm not certain how useful this would be on a long term basis. It definitely keeps things dryer during the rain/snow seasons here. We remove waste daily (linoleum floor in turkey shed wood chips/straw over sand - turkeys are big stinkers - no ammoniacal bouquet, however).

 

[scrapmom5]

Isn't it funny how we can all have the same problem but so many different solutions. Don't you just love that about problems. May all your amonia issues dissipate for ever and your hens lay for you every day.

 

[LynneP]

You're working hard to solve this, and in time you'll have the perfect coop! It's all about personal situations and problem-solving. We're into the heart of winter now after 2 major storms, various power outages and general frustration. Yep, it's harder in winter!

 

[FrChuckW]

You might also consider putting in some small vents nearer the floor but above the litter depth. Hot air rises, and humid warm air can rise faster. So if you have some low vents as well as either a ceiling vent or eave vents that will also help eliminate the problem.

Aside from moving your waterer to the run you might try using some 12" square patio blocks in front of your coop door to elimnate them from tracking mud into the coop.

You mentioned earlier that you had found the leak, and repaired it, however it is quite probable that the wood underneath the linoleum has gotten wet over the time frame and has not completely dried out. You might have to rip up part of the linoleum where the leak was and make sure that the wood has dried thoroughly as well.

If you have the waterer in the coop, you can also use the patio squares to raise it up off the litter level high enough so the birds can drink but not really get it to fouled up by kicking the litter in it,
but it will be stable and not tip over.

that is unless you hang your waterer from the rafters or a side brace instead.