Category: Managing the Flock

About Agricultural Lime in the Coop

Uses, Precautions, & General Information

In chicken coops, agricultural lime, also known as calcium carbonate or calcitic lime, is commonly used. It is typically sold in garden centers, feed stores and sometimes hardware stores. Agricultural lime is used for various purposes in chicken coops, but is it right for your coop needs? Hope this information helps you decide.

The Benefits of Agricultural Lime
Keeping the chicken coop smelling fresh is important, and lime plays a key role in this. Lime helps to get rid of bad smells by balancing out acidic substances and lowering the levels of ammonia in the chicken waste and bedding. This makes the environment nicer for both the chickens and the people taking care of them.
Disease Prevention: Lime has antimicrobial properties that can help reduce the risk of bacterial and fungal growth in the coop. By controlling microbial populations, it can contribute to the overall health and hygiene of the chicken coop.
Drying Agent: Lime can absorb moisture, which helps to keep the coop bedding dry. This is important for preventing the growth of mold and bacteria, as well as reducing the risk of respiratory issues in the chickens.
Pest Control: Lime can deter pests such as flies and mites, which are common nuisances in chicken coops. Its alkaline nature can make the environment less hospitable for these pests.
Precautions
When using lime in a chicken coop, it’s important to follow recommended guidelines for application to ensure the safety and well-being of your chickens. Lime is typically applied to the floor of the coop and always in moderate amounts. Overuse of lime can lead to excessively high pH levels, which may be harmful to the chickens.
It’s also crucial to follow recommended safety precautions, such as wearing protective gear like masks and gloves when handling lime, as it can be caustic to skin and eyes in its powdered form. Remember, good ventilation is always important to prevent the inhalation of lime dust.
Just a Little Reminder:
Always Be Safe Around Chickens
You should always wear a mask when cleaning the coop; it just makes good sense to avoid inhaling debris from a chicken coop. You can learn more about the importance of wearing a mask HERE.

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An Updated List of Hatcheries to Help You Choose Your Spring Chicks

Start Planning Now, Order Later…


Thinking of adding to your flock this Spring? Unsure about which breeds to pick? It’s a great time to browse and maybe place an order to ensure you get the chicks you want. Check out this list of popular U.S. hatcheries, they will safely ship your chicks right to your local post office.

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Safeguarding Your Health: Wear a Mask in the Chicken Coop, Here’s Why

Understanding why the airborne components in your coop can cause respiratory disease and how to protect yourself.

Poultry dust is the airborne particulate matter that is frequently present in elevated concentrations inside your chicken coop. Occasionally, (usually) reaching a density sufficient enough that it’s visible to the naked eye. Certainly you have seen this in a ray of light while cleaning.
Poultry dust refers to tiny particles that float in the air and are often found in high amounts inside the coop. This dust is considered “biologically active” because it contains microorganisms, and this is a good reason indeed for wearing a mask in your chicken coop.
Poultry dust poses an elevated risk of respiratory diseases, as its fine particles can transport pathogens deep into the lungs. Inside the chicken coop, airborne components such as softwood dust, fungal spores, and harmful bacteria are continually stirred up by the scratching behavior of your chickens, and when you’re cleaning the coop.
This “dust” contains various harmful components such as manure, feed, feathers, dander, and other residues from poultry. It also includes litter, biological contaminants, endotoxins from bacteria, and inorganic particles from building materials like concrete dust or insulation fibers. If you use substances like diatomaceous earth and chemical powders or sprays used for mite and lice control, lime, and other floor applications they also contribute to the composition of the dust.
Dust particles also can carry viral particles, mites, molds, and more. Smaller particles are particularly dangerous as they take longer to settle, remaining in the air for an extended time and increasing the risk of inhalation.
You can help protect yourself by using a disposable dust mask such as the N95. But, use what you can afford, certainly any mask is better than nothing at all.

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