Hi all..
I'm new here so thought I'd ask this.
We've had chickens for about I'm not sure, maybe 2 years now? Anyway, we always struggle to keep the smell down in the shed.
Does anyone have any tips for cleaning out? What do you use? What bedding? Anything else we should know?
Thank you
Jane :D
Our chicken shed smells ok its the mud outside that pongs when its been raining. I use saw dust on the floor of their house and straw in their nest box.
I use woodchips & also some stuff called Stalosan F which is a red powder antiseptic & very good at keeping the smell down.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Stalosan-Discinfectant-8kg-and-5-ltr-Poultry-Shield_W0QQitemZ140122552065QQihZ004QQcategoryZ46292QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Cleaning out every day is the answer. Then straight to the lottie in the compost bin. Hemcore for bedding and nest box and on floors. Good spray with Wilkos £1 bug killer monthly. I've recently started buying mash with bokashi from wiggly wigglers. More expensive but worth it I feel. Any sign of mites I use Diatom powder sprinkled in the nest boxes. Our biggest problem was the mud in the run so we slabbed the area now we can scrape it clean then swill it off. much better.
I found the best and cheapest way was to take the hut roof off on a very warm day and leave it off for a couple of days. The bugs die, the smell goes away and the hens don't mind sleeping under the stars for a day or so! Also gives the chance to 'tar' the roof.
Maybe these days huts aren't made the same way. nailed or screwed on I suppose as against robust timber held down with leather strapping.
Wood shavings, i was told saw dust can cause breathing problems. I put 2 pieces of pvc on the floor first then put shavings on top. Makes mucking out a lot easier just pick the 2 pieces of pvc up and straight onto compost. Clean down with Jeyes fluid keep ventilated all day then let chooks in last thing.
All good advice I use Harkers Pigeon Loft Treatment, sprinkled over bedding it neutralises the amonia and smells like pot-porie.
its a bactericidal stops worm eggs growing etc bit expensive but last for ages.