What is the best bedding to use in coop?

[Klomax22]

Okay so i have had my flock since spring. I have used sand the entire time in side the coop which is a 15 foot x 8 foot shed converted. but now im getting to a point where it just stinks so bad. Nothing i do works its so ammoniated and im not sure why. So i was curious as to what others use and what would be more absorbent and help keep down on smell. I dont want my girls to start with respiratory issues because of the ammonia smell. Any ideas would help. Thanks in advance.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Some people use sweet PDZ, an absorbent material usually sold for use in horse stalls.

I'd also look into ventilation; that may be part of the issue here.

 

[Klomax22]

Some people use sweet PDZ, an absorbent material usually sold for use in horse stalls.

I'd also look into ventilation; that may be part of the issue here.

Thank you for your response. I actually do use the pz stall refresher and i have window plus the shed has the double door and 1 side is framed off and screened with chicken wire. So im not sure how else to ventilate in there?

 

[AussieBloke]

I have always used wood shavings, and i throw all the grass clippings in there aswell.

I use a deep litter system which helps

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I wouldn't use sand if I didn't clean it every day. Takes 5 minutes to rake and scoop up. Never any smell.

 

[moniquem]

I use shavings in my 4x4 coop, I have 4 chickens. I also take 5 minutes in the morning before I go to work to scoop out the droppings and refresh shavings as needed. I usually have about 2-3 inches of fresh shavings on the floor.

For the run floor I empty out the bag after mowing. I take a moment a couple times a week to rake the clippings around. I have removed the clippings and started fresh about once per month. Now that I'm almost done mowing I can throw in the raked up leaves.

 

[LoveMyChickenBabies]

I use straw/mulch/dirt mix. You should try it out!

 

[blackdog043]

Do you have a picture of your coop? It sounds like you don't have enough ventilation. Maybe we could give you some ideas, to get more ventilation.
How often do you scoop the poop out of the sand? It needs to be done everyday.

I use pine shavings in the coop with some PDZ sprinkled in them and I also have a poop board with 1/2" or less of PDZ on it, that I scoop every day. I add some fresh shavings about every other month. I haven't cleaned out the shavings yet and it's been over a year. My coop doesn't smell and I hardly ever see a fly. They do spend most of there time in the run and that is deep litter.

 

[AussieBloke]

Do you have a picture of your coop? It sounds like you don't have enough ventilation. Maybe we could give you some ideas, to get more ventilation.
How often do you scoop the poop out of the sand? It needs to be done everyday.

I use pine shavings in the coop with some PDZ sprinkled in them and I also have a poop board with 1/2" or less of PDZ on it, that I scoop every day. I add some fresh shavings about every other month. I haven't cleaned out the shavings yet and it's been over a year. My coop doesn't smell and I hardly ever see a fly. They do spend most of there time in the run and that is deep litter.

My coop is very open and same, it barely smells, and have had it like that for 5 years without cleaning out the bedding.

Do get flys, live in Australia sooo.... cant do a lot about that.....

 

[HenHouse4Life]

I prefer pine shavings and add or replace as needed. I do a mini clean daily and more thorough cleans about every month or so. I did use sand before but to me it's like cat litter.... sure you can scoop it out, rake it.... but every once in a while you just need to replace the whole litter pan.
If it smells that bad I would replace all the sand with fresh or choose another bedding option.
Sounds like you have plenty enough ventilation.
Good luck!