Hemp in run question

[M_Struna]

This is my first winter. I started deep litter in the Fall with hemp bedding. We still have a few good months of Winter to go and I think I may have overdone it. The run is pretty full and the girls have brought up dirt from the base of the run. So the substrate is now a mixture of soil and hemp. We’ve got the sides tarped with a bit of top exposed for ventilation however some snow managed to get in. It seems a little damp and their feet seldom appear clean. I did buy a bag of horse pellets from TSC. Should I just keep turning over the hemp to try and dry it out or should I add the pellets to the mix? I would love to take half the hemp out and add new hemp but we are buried in snow and it’s not feasible. I really don’t want them to get any illnesses. The coop is completely dry with chicken sand on the floor, but this run is making me squirrelly. Am I being ridiculous?

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you're doing deep litter you want a mix of types and sizes of substrate, with coarse wood chips being the main base ingredient to allow for drainage and aeration. All the smaller stuff will pack down otherwise.

 

[M_Struna]

If you're doing deep litter you want a mix of types and sizes of substrate, with coarse wood chips being the main base ingredient to allow for drainage and aeration. All the smaller stuff will pack down otherwise.

That makes sense. I’ve been trying to avoid pine since I’m allergic. I only got the pellets because I understand the kiln drying that they undergo makes them less irritating to people with allergies. I’ll know better next year. I’m just not sure how to optimize the situation I have going on here now.

 

[rosemarythyme]

That makes sense. I’ve been trying to avoid pine since I’m allergic. I only got the pellets because I understand the kiln drying that they undergo makes them less irritating to people with allergies. I’ll know better next year. I’m just not sure how to optimize the situation I have going on here now.

Might try contacting a landscaping supply to see if you can source wood chips other than pine, though a lot of that is probably dependent on your area. For now you can try adding more bedding just to keep the surface drier, and then address the litter situation and drainage (if needed) once spring comes.

Did you double check that you have enough ventilation with the winterizing that you've done? A damp run isn't an issue by itself (I don't winterize and I don't have a roof, so the run is simply wet on the surface most of the winter), but you do want to make sure that everything can air out as much as possible so you don't start getting mud and odor.

 

[M_Struna]

That makes sense. I’ve been trying to avoid pine since I’m allergic. I only got the pellets because I understand the kiln drying that they undergo makes them less irritating to people with allergies. I’ll know better next year. I’m just not sure how to optimize the situation I have going on here now.

Also,

Might try contacting a landscaping supply to see if you can source wood chips other than pine, though a lot of that is probably dependent on your area. For now you can try adding more bedding just to keep the surface drier, and then address the litter situation and drainage (if needed) once spring comes.

Did you double check that you have enough ventilation with the winterizing that you've done? A damp run isn't an issue by itself (I don't winterize and I don't have a roof, so the run is simply wet on the surface most of the winter), but you do want to make sure that everything can air out as much as possible so you don't start getting mud and odor.

Might try contacting a landscaping supply to see if you can source wood chips other than pine, though a lot of that is probably dependent on your area. For now you can try adding more bedding just to keep the surface drier, and then address the litter situation and drainage (if needed) once spring comes.

Did you double check that you have enough ventilation with the winterizing that you've done? A damp run isn't an issue by itself (I don't winterize and I don't have a roof, so the run is simply wet on the surface most of the winter), but you do want to make sure that everything can air out as much as possible so you don't start getting mud and odor.

I definitely have enough ventilation. I’ll attach an old photo. The left lower (west) side is 6’ and I’ve got tarps 6’ up all the way around which leaves plenty of ventilation above the tarps on the north and east sides. The south is the coop wall.

I did notice today that there were water drops hanging from the bottom of the Premier waterer and that corner of the run is where the dampness is concentrated. I noticed Premier is now selling a bundle with the waterer and a drip pan, so it must be an issue. I’ll pick a rubber pan up and see if that helps. And I have more hemp coming this week.

Thank you so much for your replies. I’m still figuring things out and I’m committed to doing the best I can for my girls.