how to get my run smelling fresher

[WindingRoad]

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.

PDZ. Just sprinkle it on like you would salt on your food. I had a pail that the snow finally melted in . It was a poop pail to put into compost but we got snow early last year before I realized and hadn't had a chance to dump it. I dumped it on the ground the other day. Didn't know there was that much poop in it. And boy did it stink. So I just took a couple of hands full of PDZ and sprinkled it on it. Now no smell and we've had days of rain. Some snow today in some parts of Maine too. UGH... Try PDZ.

 

[Carolei]

I sprinkle Bokashi in the coop and run and it seems to help a lot.
Bokashi is usually used for composting, and it supports healthy bacteria that break down the poop. It was recommended to me by a local feed store. You can also buy it on Amazon.

 

[kwhites634]

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

Just don't let it get rained on.

 

[aart]

Bokashi

Had to look this up, never heard of it....but we don't an anaerobic situation in the coop coop or run.

"Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process that relies on inoculated bran to ferment kitchen waste, including meat and dairy... "

 

[Carolei]

Had to look this up, never heard of it....but we don't an anaerobic situation in the coop coop or run.

"Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process that relies on inoculated bran to ferment kitchen waste, including meat and dairy... "

Nevertheless, it is very helpful in keeping odors down in the coop and run.

 

[Luvs2pugs]

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?

I see there are a lot of responses and i didn't read them all, but have you tried Bokashi? Bokashi is an all natural enzyme that eats animal waste. It's completely safe. I think it's kind of like the bacteria they use for septic systems. We have some local manufacturers here in southern Oregon, but i think u can actually grow/make it yourself. I can tell you that different kinds can have an odor, but it's more like a hay or straw type smell. It's nothing like a dirty coop smell. I use it during the winter or when I'm too lazy to clean out the coop. The dirtier the better for bokashi. It likes it. On a side note, bokashi also promotes healthy soil

 

[oldhen2345]

I clean out the poop every day and have no smell.

Wow- you are really pro active about keeping it clean. I used to use a poop board under the roost in the coop and just take it out every morning and dump it into the composter and put it back at night. Had to get rid of the composter, so don't have anywhere sanitary to put the poop to cool during the spring and summer. In the fall, after I clean the garden out, I start putting it right in the garden and turning it over- I can do that right up til the first of January- after that, it doesn't have enough time to compost before planting again. So, am looking for solution to that issue. I thought about a bucket, but WHOOO WHEEE I don't think the neighbors appreciate the smell when I open that sucker.

 

[Ila88]

Wow- you are really pro active about keeping it clean. I used to use a poop board under the roost in the coop and just take it out every morning and dump it into the composter and put it back at night. Had to get rid of the composter, so don't have anywhere sanitary to put the poop to cool during the spring and summer. In the fall, after I clean the garden out, I start putting it right in the garden and turning it over- I can do that right up til the first of January- after that, it doesn't have enough time to compost before planting again. So, am looking for solution to that issue. I thought about a bucket, but WHOOO WHEEE I don't think the neighbors appreciate the smell when I open that sucker.

I keep it in feed bags. Sell some and the rest gets composted.