Using DLM, only for a month or so, already smells like ammonia...

[JessHall]

Our chicken numbers are falling, since we've been raising some from a hatchery order, and the people splitting them with us are FINALLY taking them.

The coop has only been built for like a month, and it's very well ventilated.
I turn the bedding almost every other day, but last night I noticed an ammonia smell. What can I do, or do I need to start all over again?

 

[joedie]

You can try sprinkling the bedding with DE. It dries the poo and reduces the ammonia smell. I use it about once/week.

 

[CityChook]

Define "very well ventilated."

How many chickens?

To me, ammonia smells in deep litter says moisture. Where is it coming from?

How deep is your litter? What is your litter?

 

[Judy]

Pelleted lime helps a lot, too, and is cheap.

 

[patandchickens]

What CityChook said, every word of it

Pat

 

[estpr13]

Add more wood chips to absorb the poop and keep the flooring materials dry. If rain water gets to it the bedding will "off gas" or release the amonia. A second option would be to remove and replace the bedding materials entirely.

The first option would be considered "Deep Litter" method which I do and the second method is just keeping the coop clean.

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
Exactly, don't let any moisture get into the bedding. I know that's hard to do, especially if you keep water in the coop-but it's necessary. This is what causes the nasty ammonia smell, and it isn't good for your or the chickens. Hope you find a solution soon!

 

[JessHall]

I know where the moisture is coming from... They had a leaky waterer and I didn't know it.

Only the dirt below the seven inches of pine shavings was wet.
I removed all shavings from that area and left it exposed while the chickens were free-ranging. I don't have to work tomorrow so I will let the chickens out and remove the litter again but this time I'm going to add some stall dry and let it air until dry.
As far as how ventilated the coop is, it's an open coop.
Thanks for all the help.