Chicken coop run floor

[proud-armywife]

I am very undecided on material I should use in my run.... Our coop looks like a fruit stand you see along side the roads!!!! Lol anyways the ground in the run is extremely loose dirt at one end and tight dirt with large roots at the other... I don't know if I should shovel the dirt out and put in sand? Or add material to it and stir.... I am afraid of having a stinky coop.... I do not want that. I know some smell is expected but I want to love being with them and not dread the stench Can you help?

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[proud-armywife]

Bump

 

[TalkALittle]

I'd recommend putting in about 6-8 inches of leaf litter, pine shavings, grass clippings, chopped hay, pine straw, etc. Poop will get mixed in by the birds and make a nice compost. Rake up some of what is on the forest floor beyond the coop. That would make a lovely litter for the run. Search the keyword "deep litter". I use this method and have no smell now.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I'd recommend putting in about 6-8 inches of leaf litter, pine shavings, grass clippings, chopped hay, pine straw, etc. Poop will get mixed in by the birds and make a nice compost. Rake up some of what is on the forest floor beyond the coop. That would make a lovely litter for the run. Search the keyword "deep litter". I use this method and have no smell now.

X 2 - the deep litter method is wonderful at odor control.

 

[proud-armywife]

Thank you so much!!! I have been wracking my brain reading articles... I appreciate your input!!!