Buy agricultural lime at farm supply stores, online retailers, or garden centers
The easiest place to find lime for your chicken coop is a farm supply store like Tractor Supply, Agway, or a local co-op. These stores stock agricultural lime year-round and staff who understand poultry use. You can walk in, see the bag size, and leave the same day. Prices typically run $5 to $15 per 50-pound bag depending on your region and the store.
If you don't have a farm supply store nearby, garden centers and home improvement stores carry lime in their outdoor or lawn sections. Home Depot and Lowe's stock it, though selection is sometimes limited to spring and early summer. Ace Hardware and independent garden centers often have it year-round. Call ahead to confirm they have agricultural lime in stock—some carry only dolomitic lime or specialty products.
Online retailers like Amazon, Chewy, and Walmart.com sell lime, but shipping costs can be steep because bags are heavy. A 50-pound bag costs $8 to $12 but shipping can add $15 to $40 depending on your zip code. This route makes sense only if you're ordering other supplies and can bundle the cost, or if you live far from any store.
Key Takeaways
- Agricultural lime is sold at farm supply stores, garden centers, and home improvement stores, with farm stores offering the best selection and lowest shipping cost.
- You need agricultural lime (also called ag lime or ground limestone), not hydrated lime or quicklime, which are caustic and unsafe around birds.
- A standard 50-pound bag costs $5 to $15 and covers roughly 200 square feet of coop floor at a half-inch depth.
- Buy in spring or early summer when stores stock the most, or order online if local stores are out of stock.
Make sure you're buying the right type of lime
Not all lime is safe for chicken coops. You need agricultural lime, also called ag lime, ground limestone, or calcium carbonate. It comes as a fine powder or small pellets and is the crushed mineral form—inert and safe to use around birds. Bags are usually labeled "Agricultural Limestone" or "Ground Limestone" and often say "for poultry" or "for livestock."
Avoid hydrated lime (also called slaked lime or calcium hydroxide) and quicklime (calcium oxide). Both are caustic and will burn skin, eyes, and respiratory tissue. Hydrated lime is sometimes sold in garden centers for soil amendment and looks similar to agricultural lime, so read the label carefully. If the bag says "hydrated," "slaked," "quicklime," or warns about caustic properties, do not use it in your coop.
Dolomitic lime is safe but unnecessary for chicken coops. It contains magnesium in addition to calcium and costs slightly more. Agricultural lime alone does the job.
Farm supply stores offer the best selection and pricing
Tractor Supply, Agway, and local farm co-ops are your best bet because they stock multiple brands and bag sizes year-round. Staff at these stores understand poultry and can answer questions about how much you need and how the process works it. You can compare brands side by side and choose between 25-pound and 50-pound bags depending on your coop size.
Prices at farm stores are usually lower than garden centers or big-box retailers because they buy in bulk. A 50-pound bag of agricultural lime at Tractor Supply typically costs $6 to $10. Local co-ops sometimes offer discounts if you're a member. Call ahead to confirm they have it in stock, especially in fall and winter when demand is lower.
Garden centers and home improvement stores as a backup option
Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, and independent garden centers carry agricultural lime, but availability varies by season and location. Spring and early summer are peak stocking times because homeowners buy lime for lawn care. By late fall, shelves may be empty and restocking is slower.
Prices at these retailers are usually $2 to $5 higher per bag than farm stores, but you may find them more convenient if one is near your home. Call the store's garden department directly to confirm they have agricultural lime in stock before you drive over. Some stores can order it for you if they're out, though delivery takes one to two weeks.
Online ordering when local options are limited
Amazon, Chewy, Walmart.com, and specialty farm supply websites sell agricultural lime, but shipping costs are the main drawback. A 50-pound bag weighs 50 pounds, so carriers charge heavy-item fees. Expect to pay $8 to $12 for the lime itself plus $15 to $40 in shipping depending on your distance from a warehouse.
Online ordering makes sense if you're already buying other supplies (bedding, feeders, supplements) and can combine orders to spread shipping costs. Some retailers offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount. Check the estimated delivery date before you order—if you need lime within a week, a local store is faster and cheaper.
Calculate how much lime you need before you buy
A standard 50-pound bag of agricultural lime covers roughly 200 square feet at a half-inch depth, which is the typical amount for a chicken coop floor. If your coop floor is 100 square feet, one bag is enough. If it's 400 square feet, buy two bags.
To estimate your coop floor size, measure the length and width in feet and multiply them. A 10-by-10-foot coop is 100 square feet. A 12-by-16-foot coop is 192 square feet. Divide your total by 200 to find how many bags you need, rounding up.
Buy one extra bag if this is your first time using lime in the coop, so you have some on hand for touch-ups. Lime keeps indefinitely in a dry place, so leftover bags won't go to waste.
Timing your purchase for best availability and price
Spring and early summer (March through June) are the best times to buy agricultural lime because stores stock heavily and prices are competitive. Demand is high from homeowners treating lawns, so retailers keep shelves full.
Fall and winter (October through February) see lower stock at most retailers. Farm supply stores maintain inventory year-round, but garden centers and home improvement stores may have limited selection. If you need lime in winter, call ahead or order online rather than making a wasted trip.
Prices don't fluctuate much by season, but availability does. Buying in spring ensures you have what you need without delays or special orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same lime I use for my garden in the chicken coop?
If it's agricultural lime (ground limestone), yes. If it's hydrated lime or a specialty product like lime sulfur, no. Check the label. Agricultural lime is safe for both gardens and coops. Hydrated lime is caustic and will harm birds.
How often do I need to buy lime for the coop?
Most keepers reapply lime every three to six months, depending on moisture and bedding changes. If you clean out the coop and replace bedding twice a year, buy lime twice a year. A single 50-pound bag lasts most small flocks (under 20 birds) for several months.
What if the farm store is out of stock?
Call ahead next time, or ask the store to order it for you—most can get a bag within a few days. In the meantime, a garden center or home improvement store can usually fill the gap, though at a slightly higher price. Online ordering is your slowest option but works if you're not in a hurry.
Is there a difference between brands of agricultural lime?
Not meaningfully. All agricultural lime is ground limestone and works the same way. Buy whatever brand your local store stocks at the lowest price. Bag size (25 or 50 pounds) matters more than brand.
Can I buy lime in bulk to save money?
Some farm co-ops and feed mills sell lime by the ton if you have storage space and multiple coops. A ton is roughly 40 bags. This route is worth it only if you're managing several large coops or sharing the purchase with neighbors. For a single backyard coop, buying bags as needed is simpler and cheaper.