Keeping Run Smell & Flies Down?

[Xtineart]

I've tried sand but the weather is too wet here to use it as anything but indoor only floor covering, it gets far too wet and sludgy outside. I tried a few times before giving up, even when laid over a thick layer of grit and stones it just never drained properly and held onto the water.

 

[Heme]

Correct: Sand will absorb the waste materials and works great. The Contractor sand at Lowes is a 50 Lb bag for just over $3.00 and I get the rough mix with all variations of grit and pebbles. The birds love the small particles as it helps with digestion. Mixing with Diatomaceous Earth 1 Cup DE to 10 Lbs. Sand, spread on top to the coop floor helps keep pest from gathering under the wings and feathers. Make a good base for the birds to dust bathe and keep healthy.

 

[Heme]

SAND "Contractor Type" > Some Contractor sand is almost play sand, a fine grit many times rust in color or grey. This is not the suggested Sand. Look for the contractor sand that have various grit of many sizes (tiny to medium pebbles) which is almost gravel from the bottom of a stream bed. Some of the particles digested by the hens are useful for digestion and larger grit or pebbles simply act as a loose floor base material. Eventually a large percentage of the sand mix will be absorbed into the soil and disappear eventually.

Naturally, hard clay will retain water at its surface, so I prepare sufficient top soil and contractor sand mixed together to make a 5 to 6 inch floor covering in my coop. Add the hay or straw over the top of the floor adds another benefit to moisture control. Include the Diatomaceous Earth to control mites, etc.

 

[Eagleview]

We live in Western Washington and our small run is always wet this time of year and smelly. I am looking for ways to keep the smell down, no flies right now. I will look at using sand, had not thought of that. Hate to put down lime or lime pellets. I am open to other ideas or experience. The small yard is well sloped but of mostly clay soil. The birds spend most of the day free roaming what used to be our yard.
Thanks

 

[Heme]

Wow CLAY....in Tennessee we have mostly grey or red clay. I had water in my run also and although my land slopes, the water did not run off that well. I got a gravel sand from Lowes (not play sand) use for mixing with cement. It has a composition from fine to mini size gravel that the chickens like for digestion. I mixed the bag of sand with a bag of top soil, PDZ and Diatomaceous earth in a few large pals. The soil mixed with sand drained very well, and the PDZ kept the smell down. The Diatomaceous earth did a fantastic job eliminating mites and other pests. Every few weeks I added to the original layer as the girls loved to dust off in the run and toss the dirt in all directions.

Sand was about $3.50 for a 50 lb. bag.

 

[joan1708]

Too keep the smell and flies down. I make sure there is plently of room for the birds. I make sure there is plently of litter (I use mostly leaves, and shredded paper). I have PDZ but I don't really use it because I don't need it.

 

[CabSauv]

New here and to raising chickens. I'm still in the design/research/planning phase. I had a thought on excess moisture. (I live in NW WA and moisture is a huge concern of mine, as it's soaking wet here all winter long) has anyone tried/considered Dry Z Air or something similar. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BQYD92/ref=pd_aw_sims_2?pi=SL500_SS115&simLd=1
We use it in our shed and boat to help dehumidify the air, we have something similar we hang up in the closet with hang-drying clothes. They're just crystals that absorb and moisture. Obviously you'd have to find an absolute fool-proof way to keep them AWAY from the chickens (maybe a secure box attached to the ceiling) but maybe it will help reduce excess moisture. Can't say anything about the flies that's others haven't already

 

[Xtineart]

I've moved my coop now (due to floods here) onto a higher patio area which is all concrete paving slabs, but it seems to work as I can jetwash the run every few days to keep the muck down and the girls still get to free range most of the day so dont mind the hard floor too much.