how to get my run smelling fresher

[wildwestcoast]

Hi all, we finally got some nice sunny warm days up here in western Canada I was out in the yard working on the new coop and noticed the chicken smell was a little stonger than my neighbours might appreciate. (I live in town) I read in an old thread about using food grade diotomaceous earth in the run. just wondering how much I need to use and how often I would need to reapply. also other people suggest lime? can I use both or is one better than the other?

 

[Shadrach]

Hi all, we finally got some nice sunny warm days up here in western Canada I was out in the yard working on the new coop and noticed the chicken smell was a little stonger than my neighbours might appreciate. (I live in town) I read in an old thread about using food grade diotomaceous earth in the run. just wondering how much I need to use and how often I would need to reapply. also other people suggest lime? can I use both or is one better than the other?

Neither is going to solve the problem.
Lime will kill all the bugs and your chickens won't be able to use the run while the lime decays.
Scrap the crap out. Add a few bucket fulls of woodash and dig the run over.

 

[danceswithronin]

Farm supply stores like Tractor Supply and Rural King sell activated charcoal and Sweet PDZ meant to freshen livestock runs. I haven't tried them yet but they have good reputations.

I also think it helps to add a layer of mulch (I usually go 4-6 inches deep) over the existing run space and then put some timothy hay in a layer over that.

Growing fragrant herbs around the run should help too. And any measures to help try and keep it more dry. Wetness in a run increases the smell.

EDIT: Edited to say I actually HAVE Sweet PDZ and activated charcoal, just haven't done a cleaning on my coop since I got it.

 

[wildwestcoast]

good to know about the lime. I don't want to do that! thanks for the tip about the woodash.

 

[danceswithronin]

good to know about the lime. I don't want to do that! thanks for the tip about the woodash.

Woodash is good for the chooks to dust bathe in too, helps repel lice and mites.

 

[wildwestcoast]

I will look and see where I can get some of that locally. thanks for the tips

 

[wildwestcoast]

I usually dump it all in one corner of the run (it's quite large) when I clean out the stove for them to dust bath in. they do love it

 

[aart]

I assume most the smell is coming from the run?
More info might help.

No 'dust' is going to solve the problem.
Dry plant material... a thin layer of straw and/or pine shavings should help almost immediately.
Long term.....
My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.

 

[wildwestcoast]

I assume most the smell is coming from the run?
More info might help.

No 'dust' is going to solve the problem.
Dry plant material... a thin layer of straw and/or pine shavings should help almost immediately.
Long term.....
My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.

When I replace the chips things smell fresh for a while but I am hoping to keep the smell to a minimum. Because my new neighbors house is close to the back of our property where the chickens live. It's mostly just me wanting to stay ahead of it rather than letting it get too chickeny back there. I find fresh shavings work but was wondering if adding something might make it even better, or last longer.

 

[wildwestcoast]

And yes, smell is from the run. I am thinking we should not have raked it up