help! it STINKS!

[sunket77]

My run smells horrid! please help I have used hay and pine chips as litter and a dirt bottom. What can I put in in my run to help the smell??? My DE is wet also, it has been raining for days! YYUUUCCKYY!!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

please help I have used hay

That's why it stinks.
You dont need ANY organic matter in a run.

Lime can help some with the odor.​

 

[Kittymomma]

Lime works for the odor, but there is two different types and one will burn their feet if you don't keep them off for several days. I agree about the hay, it holds the wet and makes things worse.

There was a great thread going about stall dry (not stall dri) and DE that you should check out. I don't think it would work on an outdoor run permently, but should help if you take the hay out, put some stall dry or the "safe" lime down to dry things up and get rid of the odor.

Also, a lot of people have had good luck with a layer of gravel for drainage with a deep layer of sand on top for the run--there was a thread on sand for outdoor runs recently as well. Do a couple of searches and I'm sure you'll find a solution that works for you.

Good luck!

 

[sunket77]

Thanks! I really do need to raise the ground level up a bit I think it would help. The hay is is kind of non-exsistant at this point all that I see is mud!! I will try your suggestions thanks!

 

[australorpchick]

Sand, a whole lot of sand. Not too expensive if you get it from a dirt/stone/rock dealer. DE helps too.

 

[LynneP]

And here are some thoughts from q rainy September part of the world-

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-Coop_Hygiene

Nothing can replace a roofed run, if you can manage it.

 

[patandchickens]

See my 'fixing a muddy run' page (link in .sig below) -- the reason it stinks is that it is too damp, and the reason it is too damp is probably partly related to the amount of organic matter (hay, mulch) but can also be constructively addressed by a number of other fixes too. Your best bet is to do as many things as possible to dry the run out.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[sunket77]

thanks for the links!! very helpful

 

[Anny]

How often do you change the bedding it in?

I have just dirt/sand in my run. You need something that can dry out easily. Wet litter will smell horrible.

 

[Danceswithchicks]

I had raining and flooding too, mold, not nice. Are there large deposits of poo?Do you have a broody hen?