Coop/run help

[Jackanddianesmom]

any tips on how to minimize flies/ smell from the coop/run? I have some basil and lavender in hanging pots up high bc I saw that was supposed to help with flies. But I don't want the smell to get bad, because it would bother the neighbors. Also, I put a kiddie pool in the run but they don't even look at it. I was thinking smooth pebbles to help with mud since they've eaten all the grass, and in turn it may help with the smell and flies, but any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[CoriM]

maybe you could post a picture of your set-up. Mine doesn't smell typically but it's got a lot of ventilation. When I had sand around my pond area it did smell, but I put about 8 inches of smooth rounded pebbles in that area and rinse the poop down a couple times a day. It doesn't smell anymore. I have straw and shavings on the other half to keep it soft for the ducks feet.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I put down landscape cloth, then a platform (pallet) for the pool and some flat rocks then small pebbles to fill in around the rocks for the pool area. The landscape cloth helps a ton to keep the mud out.

As far as the poop in the coop I clean mine out every morning of all the poo patties and get rid of it. Takes me maybe 10 minutes to do that with 10 ducks.