Yes, you can use biochar in the chicken coop to improve soil quality and absorb odors, providing a healthier environment for your chickens.

Biochar is a carbon-rich material that’s super absorbent and can be used as litter in chicken coops. You can make your chicken coop a healthier and happier place by putting Biochar in your bedding. It’s a game-changer for your chickens and your garden.

What is Biochar?

Here's the story.

Biochar is made by burning wood or other organic materials in the absence of oxygen. When you burn wood in a low oxygen environment it is called pyrolysis. This process removes water and other volatile substances, leaving behind a material that is primarily carbon.

Biochar  has a highly porous structure. The pores can vary in size and shape. These pores retain moisture and also act as tiny houses for beneficial microorganisms. How big these pores are depend on the type of biomass used and the conditions of pyrolysis.

My Experience with Biochar

Does your chicken coop smell bad?

What if you could have it smell clean and fresh for an entire year?

I've been using a mixture of planer shavings and sawdust in my coop for quite some time. It's a decent system. I give it the "sniff test" every week. If there's an ammonia smell, that’s my cue to either pile on another layer of shavings or biochar.

This Summer, I ramped up my biochar production using a conical pit to burn wood. About a week ago I noted that telltale ammonia aroma in the coop. I shoveled about a feed bag of fine biochar onto the litter and mixed it in.

The result?

The odor dropped off after about 2 days. Now there's no ammonia smell at all, and there’s another week's worth of manure in there. The ammonia-neutralizing attributes of biochar in the coop is phenomenal.

When I scoop it all out, I'll wet it down, and let it compost for a couple of months. Then I will add it to my garden beds or spread it in and around my fruit trees.

Keeping Your Coop Dry

I keep things as dry as possible in my own coop. Moisture is very bad for chickens' lungs. I would never use wet bedding for my chickens. 

Top Benefits of Using Biochar

1. Improved Foot Health: Biochar’s soft, absorbent nature helps prevent footpad dermatitis, a common issue caused by standing on wet or harsh surfaces.
2. Reduced Ammonia Levels: Biochar binds ammonia, reducing odors and minimizing respiratory issues and eye irritation in your chickens.
3. Disease Prevention: By controlling moisture and fostering beneficial microbes, biochar lowers the risk of diseases spreading among your chickens.

Getting Started with Biochar

Why buy charcoal when it is so easy to make and then it's free? It also has a far smaller environmental impact. You want to avoid having it packaged and trucked to a store. You can make charcoal very easily with material from your own trees.

Here's a video I found on using a 55 gallon drum to create your own biochar.

Refreshing Your Biochar

Biochar needs to be replaced every 4-6 months. When it no longer absorbs moisture well or when it no longer controls the odor, it’s time for a new layer. 

Extra Perks of Biochar

Bottom line is...

Biochar isn’t just great for coop bedding; it has other benefits too:

1. Recycling Biochar Litter: Take your used biochar and chicken bedding and add to your compost pile. It will continue to absorb moisture and odors. The compost you create with your old bedding will be the most rich and productive compost you will ever make.
2. Soil Amendment: You can mix biochar directly into your garden beds. It will retain moisture, support beneficial microorganisms, and improve your soil fertility.

FAQs About Biochar

1. Is biochar safe for all poultry? Yes, it’s safe for all types of poultry. Chickens, ducks, and turkeys will benefit from having biochar in the litter. 
2. How often should I replace biochar? Usually every 4-6 months, but it depends on your coop’s size and bird count. 
3. Can biochar reduce coop odors? Absolutely! Biochar traps ammonia and other smells. You will be able to keep your coop fresher for longer.
4. Where can I buy biochar? Biochar is available at agricultural supply stores. But you can make your own very easily.
5. How does biochar compare to traditional bedding? Biochar is more absorbent. It also has the bendit of reducing odors and ammonia. Biochar will also help you in preventing diseases in your flock. It’s also environmentally friendly and carbon negative.

When you incorporate biochar into your chicken coop, you create a healthy environment for your chickens and you get compost that benefits your garden. It’s a simple yet impactful change for your homestead or farm.