Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Once the chicks are running about on the litter you've laid on the floor, keep in mind
that it is much better to keep the litter about 1 inch thick and clean it more frequently
than to put down a bulkier layer of litter. Layers thicker than 1 inch accumulate harm-
ful disease-causing organisms and toxic ammonia, created as the poultry waste product
breaks down. These harmful chemicals and organisms build up in thick litter and cause
your young birds to develop respiratory and digestive problems.
When the litter becomes packed and starts to smell strongly of ammonia, it's time to
clean. You'll know because when you open the door, the smell of ammonia hits imme-
diately. Use a flat-bladed shovel and pitchfork to scoop up litter and place it in a wheel-
barrow to cart off. Before you put off cleaning for another day, consider that the birds
are living with that strong odor or on that damp floor 24 hours a day. It's a condition that
is quite stressful and damaging to their body systems.
Cleaning Between Batches
It is always a good idea to totally clean a building between batches of chicks. I scrape
and clean to the maximum, and if the floor is wooden or concrete, I pour straight bleach
on it and sweep it around with an old broom to kill as many organisms as possible. I do
this rather quickly as the smell gets to me. I then air the building out and cover the floor
with a thin layer of agricultural lime, as if dusting the top of a cake with powdered sugar.
Once I put down fresh litter I'm on my way to the next batch of chicks.
