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OK, so I start with one cushy layer of straw, then they add a layer of poo, then I add layer of straw then they add a layer of poo and it smells like amonia.
I don't feed them when they are in there. So nye nye and in they go, no food, no water, just bed time. AND THEY JUST LAY AROUND, NO PERCH ( THEY ARE DUCKS)
one thing you might try, when they've left a layer of poo and they aren't in the coop, sprinkle some DE on top of the poo before you add the straw
it will dry the poo out -- wet poo stinks, dry poo doesn't smell much
alternatively add some sand .... it doesn't ABSORB the moisture, it allows it to evaporate, and it won't rot and get ammoniacal like straw does
of course you might have some issues with the bottoms of their feet walking on gritty sand
another option might be to use some of the "organic" cat litters, made from pine pellets or recycled paper, then you can scoop out the clumps --- both are supposed to help control the ammonia odor from cat leavings ...
question -- do they tend to lay around in the SAME place every time? you might put a different kind of bedding there if that is so
At night, they just find a spot and sit there all night I guess. But maybe I will change to shavings again. It seems to give me cleaner eggs.