6 Best Dolomitic Lime For Amending Acidic Soil In Chicken Runs That Cut Odor
Dolomitic lime safely amends acidic soil and cuts ammonia odor in chicken runs. Discover our top 6 picks to balance pH for a cleaner, healthier coop.
That unmistakable, eye-watering ammonia smell from a damp chicken run is a sign of trouble brewing underfoot. Over time, the constant breakdown of manure and bedding makes the soil acidic, creating a perfect environment for odor-causing bacteria and pathogens to thrive. Using the right kind of lime is one of the oldest and most effective tricks for managing this, turning a smelly, unhealthy run into a neutralized, more pleasant space for your flock.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Dolomitic Lime is Key for Healthy Chicken Runs
The ground in a chicken run takes a beating. Constant scratching, high-nitrogen manure, and moisture combine to create acidic soil conditions that can lock up nutrients and foster a sour, ammonia-rich environment. This isn’t just unpleasant for you; that ammonia is harsh on your chickens’ sensitive respiratory systems.
Dolomitic lime is the answer because it’s a two-for-one solution. It’s primarily calcium carbonate, which directly counteracts soil acidity by raising the pH. But unlike standard garden lime, dolomitic lime also contains a significant amount of magnesium carbonate, another essential mineral for both soil and animal health. This dual-action formula sweetens the soil, which in turn discourages the bacteria that produce ammonia, effectively cutting odor at its source.
It is absolutely critical to understand the difference between dolomitic lime (or garden lime) and hydrated lime (also called slaked lime or builder’s lime). Hydrated lime is highly caustic and will cause severe chemical burns to your chickens’ feet and respiratory tracts. Dolomitic lime, a simple pulverized rock, is non-caustic and safe for your flock to walk on once it’s worked into the soil. Never, ever use hydrated lime in an area your animals can access.
Espoma Garden Lime: Best Pelletized Option
Correct acidic soil and encourage vibrant pink hydrangea blooms with Espoma Organic Garden Lime. This pelletized dolomitic lime improves plant growth, maximizes fertilizer performance, and is approved for organic gardening.
For most backyard chicken keepers, ease of use is paramount. Espoma Garden Lime comes in a pelletized form, which is a game-changer for anyone who has dealt with fine, dusty lime powder on a breezy day. The small pellets are easy to broadcast by hand or with a small spreader, ensuring an even application without a white cloud following you around the run.
The main benefit here is control and cleanliness. The pellets fall straight to the ground, minimizing waste and keeping the dust out of your lungs and away from your flock. After spreading, a quick rake is all it takes to incorporate them into the dirt or bedding. You get the pH-balancing benefits without the mess.
While it might be slightly more expensive per pound than a bulk bag of powdered lime from a farm supply store, the convenience is often worth the trade-off. For a standard-sized backyard run (say, up to 500 square feet), a single bag is manageable, effective, and makes a necessary chore much more pleasant. It’s a perfect choice for the hobbyist who values efficiency.
Down to Earth Dolomite Lime for Organic Flocks
Down to Earth Dolomite Lime provides essential calcium and magnesium while raising soil pH for optimal plant growth. The prilled form allows for easy spreading and quick nutrient absorption.
If you’re managing your flock and garden under organic principles, product sourcing matters. Down to Earth is a brand well-known in organic circles, and their Dolomite Lime is OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) listed. This provides peace of mind that you’re not introducing anything synthetic into your coop’s ecosystem.
This product is typically a finely ground powder, which has its own set of pros and cons. The fine texture means it gets to work very quickly, reacting with the soil acids almost immediately after being raked in. This can lead to faster odor reduction compared to pellets, which need time to break down.
The tradeoff, of course, is dust. Applying a fine powder requires a calm day and a bit more care to avoid inhaling it or having it blow away. However, for the organic farmer who wants certified inputs and fast action, the extra care during application is a small price to pay for the results and the adherence to their principles.
Austin Ag-Lime: Top Choice for Large Chicken Runs
When you move from a small backyard coop to a larger setup with a few dozen birds and a quarter-acre of pasture, your needs change. Buying small, 6-pound bags of lime becomes impractical and expensive. This is where a bulk agricultural product like Austin Ag-Lime, typically sold in 40 or 50-pound bags at feed stores, becomes the most logical choice.
The primary advantage is cost-effectiveness. You get significantly more product for your money, making it feasible to treat a large run or pasture multiple times a year. This pulverized limestone is designed for broad agricultural use, so it’s a no-frills, effective product meant to be spread with a push-broadcaster or even from the back of a small tractor.
The challenge is simply in the handling. A 50-pound bag is heavy and cumbersome, and the powdered lime can be very dusty. But if you have the space to store it and the means to spread it efficiently, the economic savings for a larger-scale hobby farm are undeniable. It’s the workhorse option for those managing more than just a handful of hens.
Oldcastle Dolomitic Lime: A Widely Available Pick
Improve plant growth with this OMRI-listed dolomite lime, providing essential calcium and magnesium while raising and stabilizing soil pH. The ultra-fine powder ensures a rapid reaction, perfect for preventing blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.
Sometimes the best option is the one you can actually find without a special trip. Oldcastle is a brand commonly stocked at big-box home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s. This makes it an incredibly convenient and accessible choice for just about anyone.
This is a reliable, all-purpose dolomitic lime that does the job without fuss. It’s often available in both pelletized and pulverized forms, giving you the choice between low-dust application and faster action. Because it’s marketed to a general gardening audience, the bags are usually a manageable 40 pounds, a good middle-ground between small specialty bags and huge agricultural sacks.
Don’t mistake its wide availability for lower quality. The chemical composition of dolomitic lime is straightforward, and a product from a major supplier like Oldcastle is going to be just as effective at neutralizing your chicken run soil as a boutique brand. It’s a solid, practical pick when you need to grab a bag and get the job done this weekend.
Soil Mender Pelletized Lime for Low-Dust Use
For chicken keepers particularly sensitive to dust or those who live in windy areas, a low-dust formula is a top priority. Soil Mender’s Pelletized Lime is another excellent option that focuses on minimizing airborne particles. The pellets are uniform and dense, designed to be spread easily and stay put once they hit the ground.
Like other pelletized options, the major benefit is the clean and safe application process. It allows you to treat the run without worrying about a gust of wind blowing fine powder back into your face or into the coop where your chickens are waiting. This is especially important for those with respiratory sensitivities.
Think of this as another great choice in the "convenience" category, similar to Espoma. Your choice between them might simply come down to local availability or price. The key takeaway is that if dust is your primary concern, opting for a quality pelletized product like this one is a smart move for both your health and your flock’s.
Mosser Lee Dolomite: Ideal for Small-Scale Coops
Not everyone has a sprawling run. For those with a chicken tractor, a small mobile coop, or a tiny, fixed run for just two or three hens, a massive 40-pound bag of lime is overkill. It’s heavy to store, can absorb moisture over time, and you’ll likely never use it all.
Mosser Lee often packages its dolomite lime in smaller, 5-pound bags, which is perfect for these small-scale situations. This allows you to buy just what you need to treat a small area a few times. It’s a simple, practical solution for the urban or suburban chicken keeper with limited space.
The product itself is a fine powder, offering the quick soil-sweetening action needed in a concentrated area like a chicken tractor floor. It’s easy to sprinkle a few handfuls, rake it into the soil or shavings, and move on. This is a classic case of buying the right size for the job, saving you money, space, and waste.
How to Safely Apply Lime in Your Chicken Run
Applying dolomitic lime is simple, but doing it correctly ensures the safety of your flock and maximizes the effectiveness of the product. Rushing the job or using the wrong type of lime can cause more harm than good. Follow these steps for a safe and successful application.
First, and most importantly, confirm you have dolomitic lime or garden lime (calcium magnesium carbonate), NOT hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide). Read the bag carefully. Once confirmed, temporarily move your chickens out of the run. While the lime isn’t caustic, a flurry of dust isn’t good for them to breathe, and it’s easier to work without hens underfoot.
Next, use a sturdy rake to scrape out the bulk of the soiled bedding, caked-on manure, and wet spots. You’re aiming to treat the soil itself, not just the mess on top. Once the ground is clear, apply the lime.
- For powder: Sprinkle a thin, even layer across the entire surface. You’re looking for a light dusting, not a solid white sheet.
- For pellets: Use a hand spreader or just toss them evenly across the run. The coverage will look more sparse than powder, which is normal.
Finally, use the rake to thoroughly mix the lime into the top one to two inches of soil. This is the most important step, as it incorporates the lime where it can actively neutralize acids. Let the area air out for an hour or so, then you can add fresh bedding and welcome your flock back into their refreshed, healthier, and much less smelly home.
Ultimately, choosing the right dolomitic lime comes down to the scale of your run, your preference for pellets versus powder, and your sourcing priorities. By regularly treating your run with the correct lime, you’re not just fighting odor; you’re actively managing the health of your soil and your flock. It’s a simple, powerful tool for any chicken keeper’s toolkit.
