13d • General discussion
💨 Ammonia Management: The Silent Threat in Your Coop
Can you smell your coop before you see it? That's ammonia - and it's more than just unpleasant, it's harming your flock!
What IS Ammonia?
A gas produced when bacteria break down nitrogen in chicken droppings. It's colorless but has that sharp, eye-watering smell.
Why It's Dangerous:
☠️Damages respiratory tract lining (first defense against disease!)
☠️Increases susceptibility to respiratory infections
☠️Causes eye irritation and conjunctivitis
☠️Reduces growth rates and egg production
☠️Human health risk too!
Dangerous Levels:
⚠️25-50 ppm: Eye and respiratory irritation begins
⚠️75+ ppm: Serious tissue damage occurs
⚠️If YOU can smell it, it's already too high!
Where Ammonia Comes From:
🐓 Wet bedding (moisture + manure = ammonia production!)
🐓 Poor ventilation (gas gets trapped)
🐓 Overcrowding (more birds = more waste)
🐓 Infrequent cleaning
Prevention Strategies:
VENTILATION (Most Critical!)
💨Air exchange at ceiling level
💨Remove moisture-laden air continuously
💨Even in winter!
DRY BEDDING
💦Fix water leaks immediately
💦Ensure proper drainage
💦Add fresh bedding to absorb moisture
💦Remove wet spots promptly
REGULAR CLEANING
🧼Clean under roosts frequently (80% of droppings happen here!)
🧼Remove caked/wet bedding
🧼Don't let manure accumulate
The Smell Test: If you smell ammonia when entering the coop, your chickens are breathing harmful levels 24/7!
Your turn:
❓Honest check: Can you smell ammonia in your coop right now? 👃
❓What's your cleaning schedule (no judgment)- weekly, monthly, seasonally, or "when it gets bad"?
9:55
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💨 Ammonia Management: The Silent Threat in Your Coop
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