No one likes a stinky coop—not me, not you, not the hens, and definitely not your neighbors.
But is this a valid reason to use lime in a chicken coop? Could be.
However, there are a few things to consider, from the lime type and amount to the health risks.
Today’s post is about figuring out these details.
3 Reasons to Use Lime Inside Your Coop
Let me start by clarifying that you don’t have to use lime in your coop.
Some people get by with diatomaceous earth (DE) powder. In fact, regular clean-ups without any additives might do the trick.
That said, you could go the extra mile and use lime to:
- Keep the stink away by volatilization of ammonia
- Deter flies and pests
- Increase the litter pH (your girl’s poop can be rather acidic)
Lime Basics: Not All Lime Is Created Equal
Okay, so lime is useful for general coop upkeep. But which type of lime should you use?
I’ll admit this question is tricky to answer because different folk resort to different methods.
You could use barn or agricultural lime (also called garden or ag lime) in your coop. This is basically crushed limestone (calcium carbonate).
It’s not super effective in deterring bugs, but it’s also not a high-risk stopgap measure.
Meanwhile, some people opt for a whitewash made with hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide), which is more caustic.
Still, in all cases, you’ll have to be careful and wear PPE to reduce the risk of irritation from the powder, pellets, or wash.
How Chicken Keepers Use Different Lime Types in Coops
Here’s how you can use either lime type in your coop maintenance:
Sprinkling Lime on the Coop Floor
Using barn or ag lime in your coop is fairly straightforward. Just let the chicken out of the coop, give the area a thorough scrub, and let it dry.
Next, sprinkle a light coat of lime on the floor and top it with a fresh layer of bedding to protect the girl’s feet from the powder.
Between deep cleanses, you can sprinkle more lime and bedding to keep the stink down.
Whitewashing the Coop Timber
A whitewash is a suspension of hydrated lime (or mason’s lime) in water that can be used to “paint” the coop. Yes, this is the same white suspension you see on tree trunks.
Aside from giving the coop a nice vintage look, the lime wash should make the wood less habitable for pests.
But unlike the sprinkling method, you can’t eyeball the amount here.
How much lime powder do you need?
Well, the simplest way to find out is to check if your lime bag states instructions for preparing a whitewash. Usually, the “recipe” calls for a couple of cups of salt with around six or eight cups of hydrated lime mixed in a gallon of water.
Again, you have to be very careful not to inhale the powder or get any whitewash on your skin while mixing and painting. This can be particularly tricky because the powder is dusty and the paint is runny.
Oh, and you have to painstakingly cover the whole coop with a small brush.
You likely won’t be able to use a spray gun because the suspension particles could clog the nozzle. Plus, you don’t want to inhale any of it.
The good news is that this is more of a once-a-year chore.
Chicken Coop White Wash, Hydrated Lime Powder
When NOT to Use Lime in Your Chicken Coop
There are two situations where lime would do more harm than good.
The first is if you’re careless enough to let your flock inhale the lime or walk directly on it. But I think you get the idea by now—you’ve got to be cautious.
The other situation? That would be if you’re using the deep litter method in your coop.
I mean, the whole point of this method is to compost on-site, letting the beneficial microbes help with the process.
Lime (or DE, for that matter) could curb the population of the beneficial bacteria.
And if you’re following the deep litter method to a tee, you likely won’t have any pest or odor issues to begin with. So, just skip the liming altogether and trust the process.
But if you’re really insisting on using lime with the deep litter method, at least limit it to a thin layer on the coop floor, under all the bedding layers. This way, the lime won’t interfere too much.
Final Thoughts
Whether you decide to use whitewashes, sprinkle lime, or rely on DE, it’s important to note that there’s no substitute for regular clean-ups and good ventilation.
A filthy chicken coop will stink and attract pests and diseases no matter what!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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