Zeolite

I have purchased Sweet PDZ to test the properties compared to other chicken yard amendments. My primary interests was capture of runoff nitrogen and improvement of chicken quality of life.

I sprinkled the product in their coop and mixed it into the shavings. It pours out of the bag easy enough and not as dusty as something like barn lime or ashes. I utilize a deep bedding method in the coop and did not detect any issues with the incorporation effecting the deep litter. I've only had a whiff here or there of ammonia prior to adding new bedding so it is hard to credit zeolite with reducing smells but so far so good. I do believe it works well as a desiccant reducing dampness after a rain. I can not speak to its potential insect repelling properties (Similar to diatomaceous earth) luckily and hopefully won't have to test that anytime soon.

I'm not so sure I would go out of my way to ever get another bag of the stuff. The price point is high compared to alternatives.

Zeolite is an interesting filter media. In a typical swimming pool filter, replacing the sand with zeolite it improves efficiency and length between change-outs.  The Space Station uses Zeolite to capture CO2. My interest was driven by a water table nitrate study in the area, looking at zeolite to reduce septic tank nitrate infiltration into the water table.

Zeolite can also be use to build a solar powered air conditioning or refrigeration.

Take a closed system with two separate compartments connected at the top, one compartment is filled with water, the other is filled with dry zeolite.

The zeolite will absorb any humidity in the system, that causes the water to begin to evaporate and cool.  That causes humidity and the cycle continues.

Once all the water has evaporated the compartment with zeolite is heated by the sun to drive off the moisture.  And the other compartment is cooled and the moisture driven off the zeolite condensed in the tank back into a liquid so it can start cooling again.

It could also be used in a open system where the water from the heated zeolite is vented into the air and new water is poured into the water compartment.

I have heard about the absorption properties of zeolite but this video shows a comparison to really highlight its ability.

If you are like me and utilize a variety of products to assist in manure management, you might find this video interesting.

I utilize both biochar and zeolite in my poultry bedding deep litter system.