Eliminating Bad Aroma In Chicken Coops: A Quick Guide

Chicken coops can get smelly, and if you don't keep on top of it, you could find yourself with a myriad of health problems for both your chickens and yourself. Ammonia is a natural byproduct found in poultry manure and when in vapour form, smells incredibly strong and foul. High ammonia levels in the coop environment are unpleasant for short exposure times, but chickens are exposed to it 24/7.

- Circulate the air in the coop by installing a box fan to keep air circulating.

- Remove excess water and moisture. Water dispensers should be set correctly to reduce splashing and trough fouling.

- Clean at regular intervals.

- Put fresh herbs and rose petals in the nesting boxes and sleeping areas.

- Use an enzymatic treatment to break down enzymes found in chicken faeces and urine.

- Use a coop refresher like Sweet PDZ.

Circulate the air in the coop

Circulating the air in your chicken coop is essential to keeping the space well-ventilated and odour-free. Here are some detailed tips to improve airflow in your chicken coop:

Install Fans

One of the most effective ways to circulate air is by installing fans. A simple box fan placed inside or facing a window of the coop can do the trick. Running the fan at low speed will keep the air moving, allowing fresh air to come in and removing any unpleasant odours. Not only does this help with ventilation, but it can also keep flies and other insects at bay and maintain a comfortable temperature for your chickens, especially during the hot summer months.

Create Vents

Chicken coops should have at least two vents, one near the top and one near the bottom. The size of the vents will depend on the size of your coop. You can create passive ventilation by using chicken wire or hardware cloth to cover openings in the coop. While chicken wire is cheaper, hardware cloth is more durable and long-lasting. These vents will allow fresh air to enter and circulate while providing an exit for warm, stale air.

Design an Open-Wall Coop

If you live in a hot climate, consider designing a coop with one or more walls made from hardware cloth. This will provide ample ventilation while still keeping your chickens safe from predators. During colder months, you can cover these openings with plywood boards or heavy-duty tarps to protect from rain and wind while still allowing some airflow.

Add Windows and Skylights

Windows and skylights are another way to improve airflow. Place windows near the ceiling so that warm air rises and escapes through them. Skylights or skylight vents in the roof will also aid in ventilation while providing natural light for your chickens. Ensure these openings are covered with hardware cloth or another fine mesh to prevent pests from entering.

Use Natural Ventilation

Take advantage of natural elements like wind and convection to create airflow. Install a screen door or a magnetic screen door to allow for cross-ventilation. Add a pop door, which is a small door at the base of the coop that chickens can use to enter and exit. This door also provides some ventilation when left open during the day.

Adjust Ventilation for the Season

The amount of ventilation your coop needs will vary depending on the season. In cold weather, your coop requires less ventilation to keep the chickens warm, typically around 3-4 square feet of ventilation, including the pop door. In contrast, during hot weather, your coop needs as much ventilation as possible to keep the space cool. Open windows, vents, and doors when needed to increase airflow.

Remove excess water and moisture

Keeping excess water and moisture out of your chicken coop is essential to reducing bad odours and maintaining your chickens' health. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

Water Dispensers

Ensure your water dispensers are not leaking and are correctly set up. For trough waterers, adjust the water level to the height of your bird's back to reduce splashing and trough fouling. Nipple waterers are a great way to curtail water leaks, as they reduce leaking while still being accessible to your chickens.

Weatherproofing

Make sure your chicken coop is weatherproof. Check that the roof is watertight and provides enough overhang to prevent rainwater from entering the coop through windows or other openings. This will help keep your chickens and their bedding dry.

Ventilation

Provide adequate ventilation in your coop to allow excess water vapour to escape. Install shed vents in the eaves of the coop, ensuring that the coop remains draft-free. During hot and humid summers, consider adding a box fan to the window to move the air and vent ammonia.

Bedding

Choose the right bedding material to absorb moisture and reduce odours. Avoid straw or hay as they trap moisture and provide a place for bacteria to grow. Instead, opt for kiln-dried pine shavings, which absorb moisture more effectively. Maintain a thick layer of bedding, especially during winter, to keep the coop insulated and prevent freezing temperatures from affecting your chickens' feet.

Regular Cleaning

Clean out droppings daily or at regular intervals to prevent the build-up of moisture and odour-causing bacteria. If using the deep litter method, ensure you have the correct balance of droppings to shavings.

Outdoor Run Maintenance

If your chickens have an outdoor run, take steps to minimise moisture. Prevent snow build-up and consider adding a roof or cover to shield the run from rain, snow, and sleet. You can also use a gravel base pad with a thick sand top layer to allow rainwater to seep down instead of puddling.

By following these measures, you can effectively reduce excess water and moisture in your chicken coop, creating a healthier and more pleasant environment for your flock.

Clean at regular intervals

The best way to make a chicken coop smell better is to maintain a regular cleaning schedule. Some people prefer to use shallow bedding, which should be replaced once a week, using a vinegar and water spray to neutralise any odours. If you adopt a deep bedding approach, you can leave it for up to a month.

Ideally, you should do a full deep clean every six months to ensure everywhere is spotless. If you keep on top of changing the bedding, the deep clean won't be too difficult.

Daily Tasks

• Remove extra food from feed boxes at night.
• Clean up droppings.
• Collect eggs.
• Dust the walls and ceilings.

Weekly Tasks

• Refresh nesting materials.
• Clean waterers and feeding boxes.

Monthly Tasks

• Clean hard surfaces inside the chicken coop.
• Scrape roosting bars.

Every Six Months

• Clean out old droppings, feathers, dirt, and nesting materials.
• Hose down the chicken coop.
• Scrub down surfaces.
• Disinfect the chicken coop with a hand brush and natural cleaning solution.
• Dry out the chicken coop.
• Make the coop comfortable for your hens.

Tips

• Wear a mask and gloves.
• Use natural cleaners.
• Check for wear and tear.
• Keep the windows open.

Put fresh herbs in nesting and sleeping areas

One of the best ways to keep your chicken coop smelling fresh is to use fresh herbs in nesting and sleeping areas. Not only will the herbs and petals smell great, but the hens will appreciate the tasty treat. Mint is another fantastic addition that will help to keep pests at bay.

You can use any fresh or dried herbs that you grow yourself. Some herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, contain aromatic essential oils. These herbs are often chosen by wild birds to line their nests, as the scent masks the smell of their chicks, helping to keep them safe from predators.

If you're using fresh herbs, simply pick a handful and put several sprigs in each box. If you're using dried herbs, mix them up in a small container, then sprinkle a bit in each box on top of the bedding.

Your chickens will benefit from the herbs, and you will enjoy how nice your coop smells.

Use an enzymatic treatment

If you're struggling with a bad aroma in your chicken coop, enzymatic treatments can be an effective solution. Enzymatic cleaners are designed to break down the enzymes in chicken faeces, urine, feathers and leftover food, neutralising odours and resulting in a fresher-smelling coop.

There are several enzymatic treatments available that can help eliminate tough messes and odours. Here are some tips and products to consider:

• Look for veterinarian-approved enzymatic cleaners that are safe to use around your chickens. These products are typically free from harsh chemicals and noxious fumes, making them a gentle yet powerful cleaning option.
• Absolutely Clean Chicken Coop Cleaner and Deodorizer is a highly rated option available on Amazon. It comes with a garden sprayer attachment for easy application. Simply remove the chickens and bedding, connect the sprayer to your hose, spray the desired area, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse. This product is also suitable for cleaning yards, barns, bird cages and other outdoor areas.
• Poultry Coop Odor Digester by Carefree Enzymes INC is an all-natural, poultry-safe option that helps break down organic waste and eliminate odours. It can be sprayed directly onto droppings several times a week to control odours effectively.
• For a DIY approach, you can create your own coop refresher by mixing zeolite (a mineral called zeolite, or PDZ), diatomaceous earth, bentonite clay and barn lime. This recipe helps reduce ammonia odours and keeps pests like lice and mites at bay.

By using enzymatic treatments and maintaining a regular cleaning schedule, you can effectively manage the aroma in your chicken coop and provide a fresher and healthier environment for your feathered friends.

Frequently asked questions