Homemade Chicken Coop Deodorizer
Chickens are fun to watch, their eggs are delicious, but let’s be honest, their coop can get pretty smelly at times. That’s why I love this Homemade Chicken Coop Deodorizer, because it actually works. It’s simple, non-toxic, and something you can use during your regular cleanings or in between to keep those strong odors under control.
Raising chickens is one of the most rewarding parts of homesteading. Fresh eggs every morning, happy hens scratching around the yard, and that satisfying feeling of self-sufficiency.
From Pigs to Chickens: How I Learned the Value of a Clean Coop
When we first began our homesteading journey, our very first animals weren’t chickens at all, they were pigs. Believe it or not, we raised dozens of them over the years, some tipping the scale at well over 150 pounds. Those early days taught me a lot about farm life, hard work, and, yes… farm smells!
Back then, I was sure pigs were the messiest animals around. But that belief didn’t last long, at least not until we started raising chickens. If you’ve kept chickens for any amount of time, you know exactly what I mean. Chickens have a knack for pooping everywhere, and they do it constantly, even while they’re walking.
That means a chicken coop can start smelling less than pleasant pretty quickly, especially during warm weather or when the coop is closed up tight. Having a quick, simple solution can make all the difference in keeping a clean chicken coop. It helps keep the air fresher, reduces ammonia buildup, and supports a healthier, hardier flock overall.
Chicken Coop Odor: What Causes That Smell?
If you’ve spent any time in a chicken coop, you’ve probably caught a whiff of that strong ammonia smell. But what exactly causes it, and more importantly, how can you stop it?
Ammonia is a gas that forms when uric acid in chicken manure breaks down, especially when the bedding gets damp or warm. Think of it as the chicken version of urine, it’s perfectly natural, but when it builds up, it releases that sharp, eye-watering odor that can quickly fill your coop.
And while that smell might just seem unpleasant to you, for your hens it can actually be dangerous.
Why Ammonia Is a Problem for Chickens
Ammonia gas is more than just stinky, it can seriously impact your flock’s health. It irritates a chicken’s eyes, throat, and respiratory system, leading to coughing, eye redness, and even infections like conjunctivitis. Over time, constant exposure can weaken their immune systems, slow growth, and cause a noticeable drop in egg production.
Trouble breathing is a key symptom of a sick chicken and one you will want to watch out for.
Poultry Care Spray – Chicken Wound Spray for Pecking Sores, Foot Injuries, Bumblefoot, Vent Prolapse, Minor Cuts & Irritations, Safe Wound Care for Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys & Geese,Easy to Use, 10 oz
VetRx Cat & Kitten Treatment for Sniffling Sneezing Nasal (2oz)CanineGluca Chick’n Aid, 8 oz Essential Chicken Supplement, Ideal for Hydration, Immunity, Digestive Health. Enhanced with Poultry Vitamins, Electrolytes, and Probiotics, for Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys
The tricky part? By the time you can smell ammonia, your chickens have already been breathing it in for a while. Humans can only detect ammonia once it reaches about 20 parts per million, but your hens are standing just inches above the source, so they feel the effects much sooner.
Action Step: To really know how your coop smells to your hens, get down low, about chicken height, and take a quick sniff near the bedding. If you can smell even a hint of ammonia, it’s time to clean and refresh the coop.
A quick fix is to have access to the outdoors year-round, either free-range or in an enclosed chicken run. This way, your flock can get out into the fresh air whenever needed, helping to keep them healthier.
How to Prevent Ammonia Buildup in the Coop
The best way to manage coop odor is to stop ammonia from forming in the first place. Here’s how:
- Keep the bedding dry. Moisture is the biggest culprit, so check for leaks, wet spots, or spilled water around drinkers.
- Clean regularly. Scoop out heavily soiled areas a few times a week, and do a full clean-out as needed.
- Use a natural deodorizer. A simple, homemade chicken coop deodorizer helps absorb moisture and neutralize odors between cleanings.
This is where PDZ (zeolite) comes in, it’s one of the most effective, non-toxic ways to keep ammonia under control naturally.
What Is PDZ Coop Refresher?
PDZ is a mineral called zeolite clinoptilolite, and it’s a game-changer when it comes to odor control in your coop. Zeolite works by absorbing and neutralizing ammonia before it becomes a gas, helping to keep the air clean and safe for your flock.
When mixed into your chicken bedding, PDZ also acts as a slow-release fertilizer. Once you clean out your coop, that bedding can go straight into the compost pile or garden, where it adds valuable nitrogen and potassium to your soil, without burning your plants.
A few things to keep in mind when using PDZ:
- It’s non-toxic and safe for chickens, but try to avoid breathing in the dust while spreading it.
- It can be pricey online, mostly because it’s heavy to ship. You’ll usually find it cheaper at your local feed store.
Action Step: Pick up a bag of PDZ locally and keep it in your coop shed. Sprinkle it under roosts and in nesting boxes weekly to absorb moisture and odors.
Why Make a Homemade Chicken Coop Deodorizer?
Store-bought coop refreshers can get expensive, especially if you use them regularly. Making your own deodorizer is not only budget-friendly (about 60% cheaper than pre-mixed products), but you can also customize it to add extra benefits for your flock.
By mixing PDZ with other natural ingredients, you’ll create a deodorizer that keeps your coop fresh, deters parasites, and even boosts your chickens’ access to minerals.
Ingredients for Homemade Chicken Coop Deodorizer
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own natural coop deodorizer mix:
- PDZ (zeolite clinoptilolite) – absorbs and neutralizes ammonia.
- Bentonite clay – helps soak up moisture and adds trace minerals.
- Diatomaceous earth – be sure it is food grade. This discourages mites and lice.
- Barn lime (agricultural lime) – provides grit and calcium, and helps dry damp bedding.
Pro Tip: Buy these ingredients locally if you can. The shipping cost online often outweighs the convenience.
Homemade Chicken Coop Deodorizer Recipe
Supplies:
- 25 lb. bag PDZ (local feed store)
- 10 lb. bag organic food-grade diatomaceous earth
- 5 lb. bag bentonite clay
- 50 lb. bag barn lime
- Two 5-gallon buckets with snap lids
- A scoop for mixing and applying
Instructions:
- Fill each 5-gallon bucket about halfway with PDZ.
- Add diatomaceous earth until the buckets are about three-quarters full.
- Add 2 cups of bentonite clay to each bucket.
- Mix the powders thoroughly using your scoop.
- Slowly add barn lime, mixing as you go. It’s heavier than the other ingredients, so mix gently to prevent it from sinking to the bottom.
You’ll end up with two large buckets of homemade coop deodorizer—enough to last for months!
How to Use Your Homemade Chicken Coop Deodorizer
Once a day, or as needed, sprinkle a light layer over the bedding, especially under roosts, around feeders, and in any damp spots. If your coop has a deep litter setup, work it into the top layer to help control moisture and odors.
When you clean out the coop, the used bedding doubles as a natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden. It’s a simple way to close the loop on your homestead, less waste, healthier chickens, and happier plants.
Action Step: Keep a small scoop inside one of your buckets so it’s easy to do a quick daily refresh without any extra effort.
Using a Homemade Chicken Coop Deodorizer is an easy, affordable way to keep your flock’s home clean and healthy. It cuts down on ammonia, supports better air quality, and gives you peace of mind knowing you’re using natural ingredients.
It’s one of those small homesteading habits that pays off in a big way, healthier hens, better egg production, and a coop that smells as fresh as a chicken coop possibly can.
More Chicken Coop Resources:
Chicken Coop Deodorizer
Having a chicken coop deodorizer that is natural will help to keep your coop clean and free of pests.
Ingredients
- · 10 lb. bag Organic Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth
- · 5 lb. bag Bentonite Clay
- · 25 lb. bag PDZ (purchase at local feed store instead of online to save money)
- · 50 lb. bag Barn Lime (again, purchase at local feed store, shipping costs are high)
- · 2 5-gallon buckets with snap lids (find at Home Depot or Lowe’s)
- · 1 scoop
Instructions
- Fill each bucket about halfway with PDZ.
- Add Diatomaceous Earth to fill the buckets about 3/4 of the way.
- Add 2 cups of Bentonite Clay to each bucket (a total of 4 cups).
- Use the scoop to mix the powders in each bucket.
- Slowly add Barn Lime, mixing until each bucket is full. Mix gently because the barn lime is heavier than the other ingredients; you don’t want it sinking to the bottom.
Once a day, sprinkle it all over the chicken coop, especially under the roosting area. Keep the buckets sealed with the snapping lids.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
where do you order bentonite clay form and what type?
You can order it from Amazon, the link is in the post. Just click it and you will see the product!
Tracy Lynn