Eradicate Odors From Your Chicken Coop

Keeping your chicken coop and run clean and odour-free is important for the health and safety of your chickens and yourself. A dirty chicken coop can lead to the spread of bacteria and diseases, such as salmonella, which can be transmitted to humans. While a certain level of smell is inevitable, there are several ways to minimise it. Firstly, ensure your coop is well-ventilated, with windows and fans to keep the air circulating. Keep water to a minimum and fix any leaks to prevent water from reacting with chicken faeces and causing an ammonia smell. Regular cleaning is essential, and you can use natural odour neutralisers like vinegar, baking soda, lime, or enzymatic treatments. Using bedding materials like sand, wood chips, or pine shavings can help absorb odours and keep the area dry. Additionally, providing ample space for your chickens and maintaining a solid roof and good drainage can help reduce the impact of rain, which can intensify smells.

How to stop a chicken run from smelling

Use sand, rake, and hose down

Keeping your chicken coop and run clean and odour-free is important for the health and happiness of your chickens. One effective method to achieve this is to use a combination of sand, raking, and hosing down. Here's how you can implement this approach:

Use Sand

Sand is an excellent flooring option for chicken coops and runs. It serves as a natural desiccant, helping to absorb moisture and keep the area dry. This is crucial because standing water and damp conditions can quickly lead to strong odours and the growth of bacteria. Choose construction-grade sand for this purpose, as play sand is not suitable and can cause respiratory issues. Aim for a layer of sand that is approximately 4-6 inches deep. This depth allows the sand to absorb moisture effectively and provides a comfortable surface for your chickens to dust bathe and play.

Raking

Regular raking of the sand is essential to maintain a clean and odour-free environment. Raking helps to break up any clumps of sand that may have formed and facilitates better absorption of moisture and odours. Depending on the weather conditions and the amount of use, you should aim to rake the sand daily or a few times a week. Raking also helps to mix in any deodorizing or pest-repelling agents you may use, such as food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) or herbs like basil or mint.

Hose Down

Hosing down the sand at regular intervals is a powerful way to deep clean and refresh the area. It washes away any accumulated dirt, debris, and odours that raking may not completely remove. Set a schedule for hosing down the sand, such as once a week or every two weeks, depending on the level of soiling and odour buildup. Choose a time when your chickens are usually asleep or away from the run to minimise disruption to their routine. Thoroughly rake the sand after hosing it down to ensure even distribution and effective odour control.

Using sand, raking, and hosing down in combination creates a healthy and pleasant environment for your chickens. It minimises odours, absorbs moisture, and provides a clean space for your flock to enjoy. Regular maintenance of the sand flooring is key to maximising the benefits of this method and keeping your chicken run smelling fresh.

Use Sweet PDZ, a natural deodoriser

Sweet PDZ is an all-natural deodoriser and bedding product that can be used to neutralise odours in chicken coops and runs. It is made from zeolite, a natural, absorbent, and odour-neutralising mineral that is safe for use around animals.

Sweet PDZ is often compared to stall deodorisers like Stall Dry, which is also made of small granules, and Saturday Lime. However, Sweet PDZ is superior to these products in terms of performance and economic value. It is also safe for use around chickens, horses, rabbits, dogs, birds, and other small animals.

Sweet PDZ is particularly effective at absorbing moisture from chicken droppings, which helps to keep odours and flies at bay. It can be used in coops and runs with dirt, sand, or stone flooring. One user recommends sprinkling Sweet PDZ in their chicken run every day, and they have noticed a significant reduction in odour.

Sweet PDZ is available in 25-pound bags for around $7, although prices may vary depending on location. It is important to note that while Sweet PDZ is safe for animals to ingest, it may be expensive to cover a large run with this product.

Cover with a tarp to keep rain out

Keeping rainwater out of your chicken run is an important step in preventing bad odours. Rainwater can cause mud and chicken faeces to mix, creating a smelly mess. It can also cause bedding to become wet, which can result in a strong chicken coop smell.

To keep rainwater out, you can cover your chicken run with a tarp. This will help to keep most of the rain out and prevent the formation of mud. Make sure the tarp is securely fastened over the run to ensure that it is effective in keeping the rain out.

In addition to using a tarp, you may also want to consider improving the drainage in your chicken run. This can be done by creating a gravel base pad with a thick sand top layer. This will allow rainwater to seep down through the sand and gravel instead of puddling on the ground.

Another way to keep rainwater out is to ensure that your chicken coop is watertight. Check that the roof is in good condition and that there is sufficient roof overhang to prevent rain from entering the coop windows. You can also use a suspended waterer instead of a water bowl to minimise the amount of water in the coop.

By covering your chicken run with a tarp and implementing good drainage practices, you can effectively keep rainwater out and reduce the risk of unpleasant odours.

Use lime to neutralise odours

One of the most effective ways to neutralise odours in your chicken coop is to use lime. Lime, also known as calcium hydroxide, is a fine white powder derived from limestone. It has been used for centuries in agriculture and construction due to its unique properties. Here are some benefits of using lime to neutralise odours:

Antimicrobial Action

Lime has natural antimicrobial properties that help eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the coop, promoting a healthier environment for your chickens. It disrupts the cell walls and membranes of microorganisms, destroying them and preventing disease outbreaks.

Moisture Control

Lime absorbs excess moisture, helping to keep the coop dry and reducing the risk of mould growth and unpleasant odours. This is especially beneficial in controlling the ammonia smell, a common byproduct of chicken waste, which can irritate a chicken's respiratory system.

Pest Deterrence

The alkaline nature of lime makes it an effective deterrent against common coop pests like mites, lice, and flies. A drier coop environment also contributes to better overall chicken health, reducing the likelihood of respiratory issues and other illnesses caused by pests.

Neutralising Odours

Agricultural lime, also known as gardening lime, is made from crushed limestone and effectively neutralises soil pH and eliminates odours caused by acidic soil. By sprinkling lime across the floor of your chicken coop, you can neutralise ammonia and other unpleasant odours, creating a fresher-smelling environment.

Tips for Using Lime:

• Before applying lime, ensure you give your chicken coop a thorough cleaning. Hose down the coop and wash away any dirt, grime, and faeces. You can also disinfect the coop by applying a diluted bleach and water mixture (1:32 ratio) to surfaces, avoiding areas where you want grass or plants to grow.
• After cleaning, sprinkle a light coating of lime across the floor. You can also place lime underneath shavings or other bedding.
• Reapply lime whenever you clean out your coop or notice odours returning.
• Use garden lime or agricultural lime, and avoid using hydrated lime as it can be harmful to chickens.

Install a box fan to keep air circulating

Keeping the air circulating in your chicken coop is an important step in reducing unwanted odours. Stagnant air not only smells bad but also attracts flies and can become uncomfortably hot for your chickens. Installing a box fan is an easy way to keep the air moving and prevent a build-up of ammonia in the coop.

Box fans are a low-cost solution to improving the airflow in your chicken coop. They can be hung at a low speed over the coop doorway, or placed in a window, to keep the coop well-ventilated. Even in the winter months, a slow-moving fan will help to prevent a stuffy atmosphere.

Chicken coops can quickly become smelly, particularly in hot weather, so it is important to keep the air fresh and moving. A box fan will allow new air to enter the coop and remove any odours.

In addition to reducing smells, a box fan will also help to keep flies and other insects out of the coop. This is important for maintaining the health of your chickens.

Box fans are an easy way to keep your chicken coop smelling fresh, and your chickens cool and comfortable.

Frequently asked questions