Garden lime on dirt run?

[LivingFate]

My run stinks! Its dirt, really hard compact dirt I dusted it with garden lime yesterday, I don't have a tiller, tried to work it into the dirt, didn't go so well. Do I have to work it into the dirt? Or can I let the chickens work it in as they scratch around? Will it harm them if not worked in? I use DE in the coop should I put some in the run too?

 

[MissPrissy]

It needs to be worked in and watered down well before your chickens are in it. Lime can burn their feet.

 

[LivingFate]

So if I don't have a tiller can I use a hoe or I don't know what its called but its metal and it looks like a rack? Then just get a hose and water it a bit?

 

[MissPrissy]

The soil needs to be turned under. Get a shovel, scoop deep and flip. Then rake it all smooth.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Yes, you should have raked up the poo and used DE instead of lime. If you can't turn it under, can't you just take a garden hose and wash away all the lime off the soil's surface then put down your diatomaceous earth?

 

[LivingFate]

Thank you off to the run I go!

 

[Dustoff79]

I agree with Joe, DE would be a better alternative. You can also use Zeolite.

http://www.bza.org/zeolites.html

http://www.kmizeolite.com/?gclid=CPOi2Pz7yZYCFSUqHgodyGl9zQ

 

[LivingFate]

My husband put lime in the run last night after we put the chickens into the coop for the night, next time I'll use DE. I'll look into Zeolite. Thanks

 

[ams3651]

i was wondering the same thing, thanks for posting the question. I grew up on a farm and I know lime can be dangerous.