how do i get rid of smell in the run?

[kylen2007]

I have 12 chickens and 4 ducks in a run that was 10x23 but we have just shy of doubled it arouns the back of the coop. They also have access under half of the barn. We have a small garden pond in the for the ducks. We have been getting a ton of rain lately and the run smells aweful. My dad was over and he thought it was rhe coop but when he walked in to look at the chicken jail we just added all he couls smell was the pine shavings. So its clearly the run. What can i do to get rid of the odor or at least tone it down? We are processing two of the ducks this weekend. The other two are too small. After they are gone i dont mind removing the pons if it will help. I keep reading sand but their coop is on a hill and I am afraid it will just get washed out in a heavy rain. :/

 

[Monkeybean415]

Sand was super smelly in our run because it was always wet due to saturation (our run is covered) I've found hay to be our best option here and if it starts getting a little stinky I just add more fresh hay and the smell goes away

 

[kylen2007]

The odor didnt start until we put in the duck pond and all the rain. Idk what to do it is driving me crazy. We plan to take the duck pond out once we process the ducks and to just use a kiddie pool. Plus i have to have feed outside because the ducks wont go inside the coop to eat like the chickens.

 

[aart]

It's the wet that's making the poops stink.

Lots of dry 'brown' organic material in different sizes, shapes and materials will help absorb the nitrogen of the poops, and set up an environment that should decompose the poops.

If you're on a hill you probably have good drainage, but you might have to use a smaller mesh to keep materials from washing out of run....or terrace the run.

 

[kylen2007]

What do you mean by "brown" material? I really hate to have bedding sitting everywhere. There is also these dark green mold or moss covering the mud where the grass used to be. Its not under the coop only out where the sun hits. I have 1" chicken wire for fencing so it shouldnt get out.

 

[aart]

What do you mean by "brown" material? I really hate to have bedding sitting everywhere. There is also these dark green mold or moss covering the mud where the grass used to be. Its not under the coop only out where the sun hits. I have 1" chicken wire for fencing so it shouldnt get out.

In the composting world there are 'browns' and 'greens'.
Browns are dead/dried plants....high in carbon
Greens are freshly cut plants still wet, or chicken poop and other fresh manures...high in nitrogen.

My run is bare dirt and it stinks when wet, but it's sandy soil and drains pretty fast,
If it's really wet, mucky and stinky.....like after days and days of rain or during snowmelt season, I may spread a bit of straw and temper the nitrogen.

Some folks use a deep layer of 'browns' to create an active compost pile that the chickens add their 'green' to and keep stirred up.

 

[kylen2007]

Thank you so much! I have straw. I use it in the nesting boxes. Just spread a thin layer on the ground? I was putting feed out for my ducks because they refuse to go up the ramp to eat inside. Between them and the chickens they make a huge mess. They will just have to get over it because its causing all kinds of issues including adding to the smell.

 

[aart]

Thank you so much! I have straw. I use it in the nesting boxes. Just spread a thin layer on the ground? I was putting feed out for my ducks because they refuse to go up the ramp to eat inside. Between them and the chickens they make a huge mess. They will just have to get over it because its causing all kinds of issues including adding to the smell.

Yeah, maybe an inch thick...too deep and it can get funky...keep it stirred up if the birds don't.

 

[kylen2007]

Thank you! Crossing my fingers this helps.

 

[aart]

Thank you! Crossing my fingers this helps.

It's not going to miraculously eliminate the stink immediately.
Nothing will do that.

Might think about looking into granular Sweet PDZ, sold in the horse section of farm stores and absorbs ammonia.