**Zeolite for Chicken Coops: A Simple Guide to Odor and Moisture Control**
Keeping a chicken coop clean doesn’t have to be complicated. One natural solution gaining popularity is **zeolite**, a volcanic mineral that tackles two big coop problems: **smelly ammonia odors** and **excess moisture**. Here’s how it works and why chicken keepers swear by it.
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### What Is Zeolite?
Zeolite is a naturally occurring mineral formed from volcanic ash reacting with water over thousands of years[1]. It’s non-toxic, safe for animals, and acts like a sponge—soaking up liquids and trapping gases. In coops, brands like **KOOP CLEAN™** use zeolite (specifically Sweet PDZ™) as the star ingredient in their bedding mixes[1][2].
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### How Zeolite Helps Your Coop
1. **Fights Ammonia Odors**: Chicken waste releases ammonia, which harms respiratory health. Zeolite neutralizes these odors by chemically binding to ammonia molecules[1][4].
2. **Absorbs Moisture**: Zeolite can soak up 55% of its weight in water[2], keeping bedding drier. This reduces flies in summer and frostbite risks in winter[2].
3. **Safe for Chickens**: Unlike chemical deodorizers, zeolite is natural. Chickens can even ingest small amounts as digestive grit while scratching[1][5].
4. **Eco-Friendly Bonus**: Used zeolite bedding breaks down into nutrient-rich compost, acting as slow-release fertilizer for gardens[1][2].
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### How to Use It
– **Mix with Bedding**: Add zeolite directly to your coop’s straw or shavings (e.g., KOOP CLEAN™ comes pre-mixed)[1][2].
– **Reapply Regularly**: Refresh every few weeks or when odors return (amount depends on flock size). Some keepers sprinkle it under roosts or near nesting boxes where messes concentrate[4][5].
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### Why Chicken Keepers Love It
– “Less flies and easier cleanup,” say users of chopped-bedding blends like KOOP CLEAN™ that combine absorbent hay with zeolite[2].
– Grubbly Farms fans praise zeolite’s odor control compared to other products: “It just works better”[3].
By tackling moisture *and* smells naturally, zeolite keeps coops healthier—and makes chores less stinky!