What can I do to make my brooder not smell so bad.

[BeardedChick]

Oh boy, I was hoping you'd made it through a few weeks. Week 4 seems to be when they really start smelling like chickens...

 

[Leah-yes I know I'm crazy]

If you're using something like a plastic bin you're going to have to scoop it out a couple times a day. Just no way around it. I like the fine wire mesh with a pull out tray to catch droppings. A few pieces of newspaper every day or so and good to go straight to compost pile. It's also less disruptive on the chicks when you don't actually have to mess around in their space.

 

[crazyhen]

Welll, the odor got bad here too.
Then I went to the store and got some puppy trainning pads with baking soda in them and some pine shavings. The pads absorb any moisture that got through the shavings and both me and chicks were happier.
Now they are 5 weeks old and in a largefreezer refrigerator box in my living area. No smell. I add some fresh pine shaving everyday. I only have 6 though. At day three I change everything out and put the shavings around the many berry and fruit plants I have. Over the winter this will break down. New puppy pads and shavings then go in..
I am in the process of getting a coop area set up for them with a heat light. It is very cold today here for this area and they will not be as warm as they have been in our home. I have a thermometer set up and will check the temp early in the am to make sure it is high enough for them. They will go out at 7 or 8 weeks. jean

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
I have one week olds, and a couple of month olds in the house right now. I never even thought about the puppy pads until cthrash1 brought some over - they are wonderful!!!!!

I don't know why it isn't mentioned more often on here - unless it is the cost factor. But then, I don't mind paying a tiny bit more for less stink and easy cleanup. Wal-mart has the puppy pads at a reasonable price, actually.

The last batch of babies I did I had paper towel under pine shavings.
They were constantly scratching the pine shavings into the water and that stunk something fierce.

I much prefer the puppy pads. I haven't had a stink issue yet (of course, they aren't that old yet, either.)
It takes me all of 2 minutes to change bedding.

meri

 

[TaLani]

Do you think some DE sprinkled on the pine shavings would cut down on the smell??

http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_80&products_id=456

 

[birdsofparadise]

I built my brooder with a wire mesh floor and then raised it up on concrete blocks. The little big of air flow from the bottom really seems to help keep the litter dry and smell free.

 

[cmom]

For the first 2 wks of life my chicks start off in a wire brooder. I put some pine shavings down with some DE in it and it helps dry up the poop and not so smelly. Also having the chicks in the litter, helps the chicks in resistance to cocci.

Here is a picture of my brooder

 

[Cackel]

Stupid question I know But what is DE

 

[Buckaroo]

Diotamacious Earth (spelling) Its tiny fossils. Its all natral, and works because it sucks up the moister drying things out. Also a good wormer, and kills mites. You can even eat this stuff (food grade Only) its good for everything.

I been taking the stuff for a while now, still can't spell, but my baldness is almost gone. Also great for wrinkles

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
You look like one of my inlaws

meri