coop yard is very "ripe" :)

[Betsyann]

Hi, we are new to this and our run after it rains stinks to high heaven and we are not sure what direction to go first. Is there any easy way to block the odor with out making our chickens nuts ( my husband spread out shavings and none of the girls would come out of the coop too funny ) we know we need to do something ( to stop this in the future) ( we cleared out an area and then built the coop and just clear cut a run...... nice tree cover to keep them cool but also doewsn't allow to dry out quickly )
but not sure where or how to start any thougths would be welcome.

 

[Kevin565]

. I highly suggest using sand.

 

[chfite]

A layer of sand.

Chris

 

[Betsyann]

so how much do we add and do we just cover the area that seems to smell? ANd would be a good idea to cover the run to stop this from happening?
thanks again

 

[downsm75]

I put 4 inches of sand in mine and rake it when it gets funky. Works great.

 

[downsm75]

Over the entire run

 

[Nicole01]

I clean my run at least once a day at minimum with a kitty litter scoop. It cuts back the smell drastically, but I still have hubby turn over the dirt/sand every 6 months at minimum. We cover the run in the winter with plastic and the run floor never freezes.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Hi, we are new to this and our run after it rains stinks to high heaven and we are not sure what direction to go first. Is there any easy way to block the odor with out making our chickens nuts ( my husband spread out shavings and none of the girls would come out of the coop too funny ) we know we need to do something ( to stop this in the future) ( we cleared out an area and then built the coop and just clear cut a run...... nice tree cover to keep them cool but also doewsn't allow to dry out quickly )
but not sure where or how to start any thougths would be welcome.

This fall use the mower to pick up all the leaf litter in the yard. Put this chopped litter in the run. If you don't have enough trees to provide the litter that you need, see if you can get some from your nieghbors. The high carbon content of the leaf material will bind up the ammonia from the manure and greatly reduce the odor. The constant attention that the chickens will give this material will create a wonderful compost and ensure that there will not be areas that go sour.

Once you get a good layer of litter established in the run, the strong odors should go away and be replaced with a nice earthy smell...even after a heavy rain.

If you don't want to wait till fall, try using wood shavings to a dpeth of 6 inches in the run. That should have an immediate effect on the smell.

Don't use grass clippings in the run to establish the mulch material base. Grass Clippings do not have enough structure and will tend to form a matted layer, that will only make the smell stronger.

 

[Betsyann]

to rock isle home, we tried wood shavings and it freaked the hens out so much they wouldn't come out of the coop for almost two days. ( was kinda funny but what ever) so we will try this and see if it will work.
Thanks to you all.

 

[fried green eggs]

I'd go with the sand. I put 4 inches of course sand with D.E. on top in our runs = no smell and when it starts not draining fast enough and gets packed - we just go over it with a rototiller, add a thin layer of D.E and it's good as new. I also put 3-4 inches of sand in the coops and D.E. and I only need to sift/clean it a few times a year. Much easier then shavings and last a long time.