How can i dry my run up to make it not smell?

[papoultry08]

When i got my chickens at age 12, they were free range, until they OBLITERATED the garden and my old man made me build a run. Now im 14 and ever since weve mixed the chicken run with a duck pond, its been particularly wet. Its in a pretty shaded area which dosnt help with it drying either. Im going to cover the whole ground with pine shavings today after school which i think will help with the smell. Im also in the progress of expanding the run. Any suggestions on how to dry it out would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Ducks with chickens is rough, but try reading this. You might see something that can help you.


Pat’s Big Ol' Mud Page (fixing muddy runs):
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

There are two basic ideas. Try to keep water out to start with (with ducks that is even harder) or get it out of the run once it gets in. Pat's article has some good details. If you have questions after reading it, get back to us and we'll try to help.

 

[Cknldy]

Gravel or sand. After a foot of snow started to melt in my first year of having chickens I learned really fast the amazing trick of gravel (in that case grit was what was on hand) and how fast it helped. The shavings are going to absorb the moisture but then you'll have a mucky pine shavings run. Anything is better than nothing but try small gravel.

 

[papoultry08]

Ducks with chickens is rough, but try reading this. You might see something that can help you.


Pat’s Big Ol' Mud Page (fixing muddy runs):
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

There are two basic ideas. Try to keep water out to start with (with ducks that is even harder) or get it out of the run once it gets in. Pat's article has some good details. If you have questions after reading it, get back to us and we'll try to help.

ill see if I can seperate the ducks and the chickens. Thanks for your help!

 

[papoultry08]

Gravel or sand. After a foot of snow started to melt in my first year of having chickens I learned really fast the amazing trick of gravel (in that case grit was what was on hand) and how fast it helped. The shavings are going to absorb the moisture but then you'll have a mucky pine shavings run. Anything is better than nothing but try small gravel.

Sounds like a great idea. Do you mean to cover the whole run in a couple inches of gravel?

 

[Cknldy]

Even a thin layer will immediately help because it gets pushed into the mud. Small gravel the size of grit is great because they can eat it for grit, it will get pushed into the mud and you can add more when needed or just add 1/2 inch or from the beginning. I don't mean make it like a gravel dog kennel run, just enough gravel for it to break up the mud and allow better drainage.