Usage of lime.

[Icie]

Just over a year with chickens. Please tell me about using lime or first Saturday lime

I've used it for all kinds of things, in my coop and around my homestead. I have a sand floor so few bugs, no odors, but I sprinkle it around just in case. I use it in nesting boxes, it's part of my recipe for dust baths, I've whitewashed their coop walls and beams with it to limit mites, I've dusted them with it for the same reason, I put some in my dog's kiddie pool and my goat's water bucket to clear and prevent algae, and I use it in my garden to kill bugs on my plants. There are lots of suggestions and videos for it's use on their website. I've had a monthly plan about a year now. I love it.

 

[McChooky]

Calcium oxide (Quicklime) gets boiling hot when mixed with water (120 degrees F)It is not for use in a run or coop or around animals. Calcium hydroxide( hydrated lime) is used for controlling the ph in compost, bedding and gardens. Both have to be used with caution .You don't want to inhale either one.

 

[3KillerBs]

Calcium oxide (Quicklime) gets boiling hot when mixed with water (120 degrees F)It is not for use in a run or coop or around animals. Calcium hydroxide( hydrated lime) is used for controlling the ph in compost, bedding and gardens. Both have to be used with caution .You don't want to inhale either one.

The only type of lime I ever use in the chicken coop or run is ordinary ground limestone -- garden lime.

The only reason I use it is to create a more favorable composting pH because I have very acidic soil and most of the organic material I use is pine.

 

[Audi0]

After all the rain and heat in Florida recently the flies took over fast. Always had an ant problem we put stuff down then they just move a bit away. 1st Saturday really helped with the flies and ants along with hanging fly bags. Also added to the wild bird baths great for keeping algae from growing in it. I use diatomaceous earth too but as soon as it gets wet or rains it does not help where is this will dry back out and still work

 

[GigitheBackyardHerbilist]

its great for bugs

I use it for bugs in the coopand calcium and magnesium for my plants. I put it in the places they use the most for dust baths. I also read it can be used in place of DCE. It's that the right abbreviation?

 

[JanKuziel]

I use it to keep mites and bugs away from my coop and birds. I put it everywhere. It takes care of any smells as well. I keep everything clean but it is still going to smell a little. Since I have neighbors and technically shouldn’t have chickens I don’t want any smells period. Saturday lime really helps manage that. I work it into the sand under their roost bar and all around the run. It’s even in the bottom of their nest boxes. You can even use it around the foundation of your home. It’s safe and very effective.

 

[MamaFox78]

Good to know! I have a big coop with 2 rooms, one sand over concrete and the other half soft dirt... when we clean the coop I spray everything down with vinegar, and once dry I sprinkle DE everywhere. I might try adding a bit of lime to the sand under their roosting perches as that tends to get pretty gnarly after a while, even with regular cleaning and refreshing. I never heard of white washing with it, that might be worth a try too! How do you prepare the white wash??

 

[McChooky]

Good to know! I have a big coop with 2 rooms, one sand over concrete and the other half soft dirt... when we clean the coop I spray everything down with vinegar, and once dry I sprinkle DE everywhere. I might try adding a bit of lime to the sand under their roosting perches as that tends to get pretty gnarly after a while, even with regular cleaning and refreshing. I never heard of white washing with it, that might be worth a try too! How do you prepare the white wash??

Heres the recipe for basic white wash.

 

[McChooky]

Good to know! I have a big coop with 2 rooms, one sand over concrete and the other half soft dirt... when we clean the coop I spray everything down with vinegar, and once dry I sprinkle DE everywhere. I might try adding a bit of lime to the sand under their roosting perches as that tends to get pretty gnarly after a while, even with regular cleaning and refreshing. I never heard of white washing with it, that might be worth a try too! How do you prepare the white wash??

You can't use hydrated lime on the floor of a chicken coop or barn or anywhere else people or animals walk around & can get in it. It will irritate their respiratory system and burn their skin & feet. It can blind them if medical attention isn't provided.This stuff gets hot when you add water.

 

[JanKuziel]

A lot of folks use diatomaceous earth in their coops but The Chicken Chick and other sources warn against it as a potential hazard to chickens health. First Saturday lime does not have those same issues and works as well. Just thought I’d put that out there since so many have mentioned DE.