Rancid-smelling chicken coops are a common problem for chicken farmers.
Bad odors in your chicken coop can increase human sickness, cause the eggshells to be dull and white, produce a rotting-flesh smell, and even corrode the metal wiring on the fence.
The following are some easy ways we at chickenthingsandmore.com suggest to keep your chicken coops from smelling so bad:
Keep it Dry
Keeping your chicken coop clean is essential for the health of your birds. A dirty chicken coop will not only have an unpleasant smell but will also create a place where bacteria thrive and spread.
It is also important to keep moisture out of the chicken coop. Moisture in the coop can increase the concentration of ammonia. Ammonia is harmful to humans and can also lower the disease resistance of young birds.
Ammonia is the substance that produces chicken coop smell
During the rainy season, water can easily get into the coop. It will also contribute to the formation of ammonia in the poop. Water can also cause the chicken coop smell to be stronger.
Keeping the coop clean helps to eliminate the odor of the poop. This can help dispel odors and encourage the chickens to lay eggs.
One of the best remedies for chicken coop smell is lime. Lime helps to reduce moisture and prevent inflammation. It helps the chicken coop smell good.
Barn lime is also beneficial for the overall health of the chickens. It is rich in calcium, and it kills bacteria and other pests. It is also effective against mites, worms, and ticks.
Another way to keep the coop clean is to use an enzymatic cleaner. The enzymatic cleaner will break down the enzymes in urine and feces, and it will neutralize the odors. You can apply it to the floor of the coop, or the nesting boxes.
Getting the best floor for your coop is an important decision and we have brought just the article to help you out.
Cleaning your chicken coop doesn’t have to be an expensive or time-consuming job. Just make sure that you clean it at least once a week and avoid a stinky chicken coop.
Install a box fan to keep air circulating
Using box fans to keep your chicken coop cool can be a good way to eliminate the unpleasant chicken coop smell.
A box fan will also help improve air circulation inside the coop keeping the chicken coop smelling fresh. It is not necessary to run the fan at high speeds, but it does help to keep noisy flies away.
You can install a fan at the side of your coop, or hang one above a doorway for odor control.
Fans can also help reduce the overall temperature of your coop, which is important for the health of your chickens. This is particularly important in summer when the hen house can get dangerously hot.
Chickens can be quite sensitive to dust. If your coop is not properly ventilated, it could become a breeding ground for diseases. It is also important to ensure that your coop is clean to avoid bad smells. You can keep the coop clean by using a hose to remove debris from the coop floor.
In addition to fans, you can also help improve air circulation by adding multiple east-west windows to your coop. This will help prevent direct sunlight from entering the coop. You can also add a barrier wall to prevent drafts.
Another way to keep the air circulating inside your coop is by adding a layer of pine shavings. Pine shavings absorb moisture and prevent standing water. This will keep the coop dry, which can reduce the chances of disease outbreaks.
If you don’t have time to install a fan, you can still help keep your coop dry by adding a bowl of ice. You can also use agricultural lime to help keep the floor dry.
A good way to reduce the ammonia smell in your chicken coop is to avoid adding too much chicken manure. Chickens produce ammonia odors when they are wet, and this can be harmful to their health.
Use fresh herbs and rose petals
Using fresh herbs in your chicken coop is a great way to keep the coop smelling fresh. It also helps to keep pests and insects at bay in the coop area.
Many herbs have antibacterial, antiparasitic, and insect-repelling properties. They also boost chicken immunity and control the coop smell.
Some of the more popular herbs include basil, lavender, thyme, rosemary, lemon balm, and peppermint. These plants can be used fresh or dried as potpourri or to dust bathe.
These petals can also be used to create a garden smell in your chicken coop. They have a high vitamin C content and are also antioxidants. They can also be used in sleeping areas for odor control.
Other herbs that are great for keeping a chicken coop from stinking are basil and lavender. Basil can help prevent chickens from acquiring the disease and improve their mucous membranes. Chickens love it!
Lavender helps to soothe and calm chickens and keeps them away from pests. Lavender’s smell also makes it an excellent choice for laying hens.
Roses have a unique smell and can also be used in the sleeping area. They can also be used as a spray to keep a chicken coop smelling fresh as no one likes a stinky coop.
The petals can also be used to naturally repel pests. They’re also anti-inflammatory and antifungal.
Herbs can also be used to deter insects, rodents, and other pests. They’re also a great natural remedy for deworming your birds. They can also be mixed with chicken feed or used as dust baths.
Clean out any damp bedding every few days
One of the biggest enemies of keeping a chicken coop completely clean is moisture. If you keep the area dry, you’ll decrease the likelihood of a coop smell.
Keeping your chicken coop floor clean is important to keep your chickens healthy. This means checking your chicken coop every few days.
One of the biggest contributors to the overall smell of an enclosure is soiled bedding. The type of bedding you choose will determine how often you have to clean your coop.
Some common bedding materials for chickens include hay and straw. These are inexpensive and absorbent. They can last a long time. However, they can also attract flies and moisture. This causes a buildup of ammonia, which can make your coop smell bad.
Another option for fresh bedding is sawdust. This can be bought for very little money at a feed store. However, sawdust has a bad smell. This type of bedding is dusty, so it should be scooped up regularly.
Old newspapers are also a good source of dry bedding. However, they can stick to hens’ butts and eggs.
Wood shavings are also popular chicken bedding. They’re not only cheap, but they’re also absorbent and have a nice smell. Wood chips also help keep moisture out of your coop. These wood chips can be bought from anywhere.
Sand is also a great choice for coop bedding. However, sand can also have a bad smell. You can scoop up the sand daily from the coop floor with a kitty litter scoop, as you do with a cat litter box. It’s also a quick and easy way to change the bedding and avoid the chicken coop smell.
A clean coop will also help prevent the buildup of ammonia. If your coop smells, spray with a deodorizer and change all the bedding.
Another option is to compost the litter. This helps to generate heat for your chickens and keeps them comfortable during the cold months. The heat helps to kill any harmful microbes.
You can use the deep litter method, let the decomposition process take place during winter, and have an odor-free coop floor.
Use Bug repellants
Keeping your Automatic Chicken Coop Door from smelling is a good way to prevent the disease from affecting your flock. Insects like flies and mosquitoes are carriers of diseases. They can also damage your seedlings and fruiting vegetables.
The best way to keep your chicken coop from smelling is by using natural insect repellents like pine shavings. Unlike chemicals, these products are safe for your flock and the environment. However, they may take a couple of applications before they are effective.
The best insect repellants are citrus essential oils. These oils are safe for your flock and can be used to spray the coop and surrounding areas. They can also be soaked into cotton balls.
Rosemary and mint are two other herbs that you can use. Rosemary helps to ward off insects, while mint is a powerful repellent. These herbs can be hung inside the coop or sprinkled around the coop. They also help to keep the air smelling fresh and get rid of the chicken coop smell.
Another insect repellent is garden lime (also called aglime or agricultural lime). It repels ants and ticks from the coop floor. You can use it on the floor of your chicken coop or around the nesting boxes.
It’s a safe alternative to harsh chemicals and it’s organic-compliant. You can buy first Saturday lime for this purpose.
What Are the Best Chicken Coops to Buy?
Keeping chickens in your backyard can help you provide natural fertilizer, and eggs for your family. But you also need a good coop to protect your birds from predators.
Here are some of the best ones –
- Omlet Eglu Cube Chicken Coop
This chicken coop is a great choice for up to 10 birds. It is an elevated coop and is completely recyclable. With its draft-free vents, the coop can be kept cool in the summer and warm in the winter thanks to its double-wall construction.
- Trixie Natura Chicken Coop
This chicken coop is a bit smaller so it can only accommodate 2 large chickens or 4 smaller ones. It has a nesting box and a roosting place. It has vents to keep the air circulating with doors that back up as ramps for chickens to come down on.
- Cutest Coops Classic 4×6 Coop
This wooden coop can accommodate 12 chickens. It has 3 nesting boxes and has proper protection in place to keep your chickens safe from other animals. Its area is 4 feet by 6 feet to give ample space to your birds.
Best large chicken coops
Depending on the size of your yard, you may want to buy a large chicken coop. These coops are great for raising chickens.
They are durable and have a variety of features that make them ideal for raising chickens. They are also affordable, so you don’t have to break the bank to buy one.
A chicken coop is the safest place for your chickens to live. They need a place to stay away from predators and to sleep at night.
- Omlet Eglu Cube Chicken Coop
Once again on our list, we have the Omlet Eglu coop. It is easy to deep clean, has a large area for your backyard chickens, and has runs you can buy additionally to give your chickens more space.
- Pets Imperial Monmouth Large Chicken Coop
This is a large chicken coop with metal mesh to keep predators at bay. It comes with ample space for your backyard chickens to play around and still be safe.
- Prairie Chicken Coop
This is a barn-style coop with a wooden coop floor and has a play area at the back for your chickens to roam around. It’ll keep your birds protected from animals.
Best Small chicken coops
Whether you’re raising young chicks or adult chickens, you need a reliable place to keep them safe. A coop is an easy, convenient way to keep your flock protected.
You’ll have to consider what features are important to you before purchasing a coop.
- Producer’s Pride Sentinel Chicken Coop
This is a small chicken coop made of wood with a steel frame. It can accommodate up to 6 chickens at a time. It has a sturdy ramp with a sliding door for chickens to enter the coop.
- Trixie Mobile A-Frame Chicken Coop with Run
This coop can hold 2 large chickens or 4 smaller ones. It is made of wood with metal mesh to keep your birds protected. It has wheels so you can easily change the location of the coop. Contains 2 nesting boxes and has a 1-year warranty.
Small chicken coop dimensions
Choosing the right size for your chicken coop is important. It should be large enough to accommodate your chickens without making them uncomfortable. It should also protect them from bad weather.
Choosing the wrong size coop can cause problems for your chickens, including ill health, manure build-up, and pecking amongst the flock.
The ideal size for a coop is about 5 feet by 10 feet. This gives you enough space for six chickens. Larger breeds may require more space.
Depending on the breed of chickens you want, you may also need extra vertical space. For example, standard breeds may need four square feet per bird, while bantams may require two.
Chickens will also require a nesting box. The size of the nest box should be one square foot for every three hens. It should also be lower than the roosts.
Chickens should have a place to dust and bathe, which helps them stay clean and mite-free. They also need access to an outdoor run. If your chickens have no outdoor range, they may need more space inside the coop.
Your coop should also be on level land, with good drainage and good ventilation. It should also be protected from wind and rain. It should also be in a location with good shade and shelter. Besides, it should have a door that is easy to open and close.
It’s also a good idea to add steps to the chicken coop. Depending on how high the roosting poles are, you may need to install steps. You may also need to install electric net fencing to keep predators out.
To make a coop, you need a sturdy frame, and plywood panels are a good material. These can be cut at a lumber store and fastened to the frame.
The plywood panels must be flush along all the edges. Also, be sure to cover them with hardware mesh to prevent predators from slipping in.
Chicken coop for sale online
Keeping chickens is a growing pastime. There are large free-standing coops, commercially built ones, and small portable ones.
Many of the poultry brands offer models that are large enough to walk inside. Using the right coop can make your chickens happy and healthy while keeping them safe and secure.
The most obvious way to keep your chickens happy is to provide them with an appropriate diet. The right type of food will not only keep them healthy, but they will also be more likely to breed and produce eggs.
Another good idea is to give your hens a fresh water supply. A good coop will also provide some sort of ventilation, which can reduce toxic ammonia fumes from building up.
The coop may also be equipped with a self-watering system. It is not uncommon for chickens to try and roost on ceiling fans when they aren’t in use.
The coop may also have a pop door, which allows your chickens to access the run without fumbling with doors. Having a solid door is also a good idea, as rodents may chew their way in.
The coop might be the only place your chickens will sleep at night, so ensuring their safety is a top priority.
The best coop might not be the largest in the world, but it should be able to accommodate your flock’s needs. If you have space in your backyard, a small portable coop might be just what the doctor ordered.
We specialize in Best Chicken Coop for 6 Chickens and all sizes which can suit all your needs whether it’s space, security, or ease of cleaning.
