Free Range Yard Smell Maintenance inquiry

[2chickens4me]

Hi All,

I only have two chickens, they have the yard to run around in and their little condo coop at night to keep safe from predators. I often hose the little poops down as to not attract the flies but I’m noticing it smells worse and still so many flies! I’m thinking it’s so clean how can that be but based on other threads, I’m gathering it’s the moisture? Should I use the Diatamaceous Earth on my lawn or will it get clay like?

Any advice is appreciated!!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!
I would stop using water.
Wet poop stinks 100 to message worse than dry.

I don't thin no DE would do anything for the smell.

Permethrin spray should help with the flies.

IMG_20180322_102709

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018

Martin's Horse & Stable Permethrin Spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• flies lice mites permethrin

Permethrin

Martin's PERMETHRIN spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• 6
• flies lice mites permethrin

 

[Evelyn Walker]

How big is the yard? I have 14 birds and the yard never smells unless it rains. Also, I suggest you stop wetting the droppings, as the smell gets MUCH worse when wet. DE won't really do anything for the flies or smell, since it's made to kill mites/lice/fleas.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Welcome to BYC!!! Glad you could join the Flock! Let me know if you need anything!

 

[CannedMonster]

I like to use Sweet PDZ in my coops.
It helps keep things drier, absorbs ammonia and isn’t harmful to chickens.

The “chicken coop” version is expensive so I get the horse stuff.

I’ll sprinkle it on any particularly offensive poops if I’m not able to clean them right away, etc.

 

[2chickens4me]

Thank you everyone for the feedback. Much appreciated.

 

[danceswithronin]

Definitely stop wetting the poop down, that makes it smell so much worse, lol. My chicken run only stinks after it rains (and only when you get right up on it).

PDZ is your best friend for bad chicken smells though.

 

[2chickens4me]

I like to use Sweet PDZ in my coops.
It helps keep things drier, absorbs ammonia and isn’t harmful to chickens.

View attachment 1757114

The “chicken coop” version is expensive so I get the horse stuff.
View attachment 1757116

I’ll sprinkle it on any particularly offensive poops if I’m not able to clean them right away, etc.

But it would be on my grass. I don’t have them in a coop. Can I sprinkle this on grass?

 

[danceswithronin]

But it would be on my grass. I don’t have them in a coop. Can I sprinkle this on grass?

From what I've read, it's not supposed to hurt grass. And any rain will just dilute and wash it away. It's all-natural and biodegradable.

 

[Kiki]

But it would be on my grass. I don’t have them in a coop. Can I sprinkle this on grass?

How small is your yard?
I can't imagine that just two birds could poop that much.

Can you get a photo of the area?