When you raise backyard chickens, you’re always looking for ways to keep your flock healthy without loading the coop with toxic chemicals. That’s where First Saturday Lime comes in. It’s a natural product that’s been making waves in the chicken-keeping world (and even landed on Shark Tank!).
I’ve been using it for the past year around my coop, run, and even dust baths, and it’s become one of my go-to eco-friendly products for insect control, odor management, and overall flock health. Let’s break down what it is, how it works, and how you can safely use it for your chickens.
What Is First Saturday Lime?
Not all “lime” is the same. This is where a lot of confusion comes in.
- Barn lime, ag lime, agricultural lime, dairy lime, and quarry lime are all variations of lime products, but not all are safe for chicken keepers.
- Some forms (like calcium hydroxide) can be caustic and irritating to delicate lung tissue and eyes, creating serious respiratory hazards.
- First Saturday Lime is different. It’s made from calcium carbonate, which comes from fossilized remains of aquatic organisms. Through a patent-pending process, the company created a super strong formula that’s safe for animals of any size while still working as an effective pest control option.
It’s marketed as a healthy alternative to dangerous forms of lime and as a monthly insect repellent you can sprinkle safely in your coop, run, yard, and even around bee farms.
How It Works
Insects breathe through tiny holes on their bodies called spiracles. When they come in contact with lime dust, it blocks those spiracles, making the environment an inhospitable place for pests like mites, lice, fleas, ticks, and even small hive beetles.
Because it’s a fine powder, it can also help with:
- Odor Control: Drying out chicken poop and reducing unpleasant odors.
- Moisture Control: Keeping bedding dry, which makes life harder for pests and prevents mosquito growth.
- Soil Health: Like other types of lime, it can help balance soil pH in organic gardening.
Benefits for Chicken Keepers
- Insect control without harsh chemicals.
- Safe to use around animals of any size, from your flock to pets and livestock.
- Odor and moisture control in the coop and run.
- A natural insect repellent for dust baths, your flock’s favorite dust!
- It can help control algae growth in water troughs, water bowls, and bird baths.
- Works well with the deep litter method and on animal bedding (including hemp bedding).
- An eco-friendly product that aligns with organic farming and gardening practices.
How to Use It
Here’s how I use First Saturday Lime around my homestead:
- Coop & Run: Each month, when I receive my monthly subscription, I sprinkle a thin layer at the base of the coop and throughout the chicken run. It helps dry out chicken poop and acts as a protective barrier against insects.
- Dust Baths: Add a sprinkle to your flock’s dust bath area. Mixed with food-grade diatomaceous earth, it creates a powerhouse natural insect repellent.
- Water Sources: Sprinkle a small amount around water troughs, water bowls, or the surface of the water in bird baths, which can help control algae growth.
- Yard & Garden: It’s not just for chickens! Spread it in your backyard or garden using a yard spreader on the lowest setting. It supports pest control and can benefit soil pH.
- Other Animals: Safe for animal bedding, bee farms, and even as part of natural insect control around pets.
Pro tip: Always sprinkle it lightly; more isn’t necessarily better. A thin layer is all it takes to create an inhospitable place for pests while keeping moisture and odors under control. If you dump it on too heavily, you’ll just waste product, create unnecessary dust, and possibly irritate delicate lung tissue (for both you and your chickens). Think of it like seasoning food. You want just enough to do the job without overdoing it. A light, even coating once a month is far more effective than piles of powder scattered around the coop.
Cautions to Keep in Mind
- Although it’s safe, any fine powder can still be an eye irritant. Avoid breathing it in directly or creating unnecessary dust clouds.
- Please don’t confuse it with dangerous forms of lime like hydrated lime or slaked lime. These can cause serious chemical reactions and damage delicate lung tissue.
- While it’s considered safe for food contact, I avoid dumping it directly in feeders or water bowls. Some will inevitably get in their food and water, and that’s OK. Just don’t dump it in there.
- Watch for any signs of illness in your flock whenever you introduce something new. Better safe than sorry!
FAQs
Q: Is First Saturday Lime the same as barn lime or ag lime?
No. Barn lime, ag lime, and quarry lime can be harsh and unsafe for chickens. First Saturday Lime is processed differently, making it safe and eco-friendly.
Q: Can I use it in my chicken bedding?
Yes! Sprinkle it under hemp bedding, straw, or shavings to help with odor and moisture control.
Q: Does it replace diatomaceous earth in dust baths?
It can be used alongside food-grade diatomaceous earth. Both help with insect control, and together they make a powerful, natural dust bath mix.
Q: Will it hurt aquatic organisms if I use it near water?
Used correctly (small amounts around, not dumped into, water sources), it can help control algae growth without harming your flock.
Q: How much should I buy?
It comes in different sizes (5 lb and 20 lb bags) and even offers a monthly subscription with a free gift, so you don’t forget. I recommend starting small, then scaling up once you see the end result in your coop.
Q: Does science back it up?
Yes! Scientific studies show calcium carbonate works by disrupting pests through physical means, not toxic chemicals.
Bottom Line
For me, First Saturday Lime helps me avoid the use of toxic chemicals, manage chicken poop and odors, and keep pests under control, all while staying true to my organic farming and eco-friendly values.
If you’re looking for a great product line of chicken-keeping tools that make your coop cleaner, healthier, and less buggy, this one’s worth trying. The result is a happier, healthier flock and a much more pleasant coop for both you and your chickens!
What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments!
Related Posts:
Essential Dust Bath Ingredients
Keep Gnats Out of Your Chicken Coop
How to Keep Flies Out of the Chicken Coop
What is Chicken Grit
Sign up for friendly chicken-keeping tips, seasonal care guides, and simple ways to create more calm in your days on the farm or in your backyard.