Moving, and they asked me to clean out the run-help???

[MROO]

One thing I do recommend is contacting your agent and having them ask the buyer if they want you to leave the compost first. If you label it as compost, they may be very willing to ignore the recommendation by the inspection. Another thing you can do is go on social media and offer free compost to friends, neighbors and family. I did that with a massive 5' pile of compost.

How I got rid of the chicken run bedding was I first ran it over with a lawn mower to break up the large straw bits followed up with one of those 100$ small tillers and then I spread it around the landscaped areas. It looked like mulch to most people. Good luck on the sell!

Tell 'em you are taking the compost with you. That also may make them think twice!
Or -
Take down the run fencing. Mow it. Till it. Mulch it. Plant it with a few nice flowers or veggie plants. It's now a garden!

 

[hunthaven]

I like the mulch/garden idea. Or take up what you can, and put sod over the rest of it. Or hire someone to cut a tree into circular rounds for you, about 3 inches thick, and scatter them over it as "stepping stones."

 

[Ghosty]

You can set the height on the tiller and just let it run so deep.

 

[aart]

it will at least uncompact it so it's easier to rake out and haul away. I just simply can't rake it out right now with how compacted it is, hence my thoughts on renting a tiller to loosen it up so we can get rid of it.

There ya go!
Do you have a place to put it all?
Tons of work, no envy here...might help work out some of the house buying anxiety.
Good Luck and Congrats!

 

[mixedbreeds]

When I started reading your first post I was thinking tiller, that’s probably the best bet. If you have the cash I would start calling someone to do it for you if possible.

 

[123RedBeard]

I think a "digging fork" like used for digging potatoes would be much better, and easier to use than a rototiller inside of a fenced run ... have you ever used a tiller before?

But ... first, I'd put a add in Craigslist or free cycle type place, and see if you can get someone to come do the job for FREE!

 

[MROO]

How about tilling it up and telling your neighbors it's DIY (dig-it-yourself) free compost. Bet you won't have much left!

 

[springvalley123]

My two cents (although your state may vary):
Your agent is being paid to represent you and make things work in your favor, so I agree with consulting them. Tell your agent how physically hard, unfeasible this might be, and see what the buyer really wants, and if they have a right to have what they "want."
If you end up having to remove the stuff, I'd guess you or whoever you hire, could easily take down and re-put up the fence to facilitate the work. I'd be leary of any advice to change the property such as laying sod, tilling so that the run is a different grade (higher/lower) than the surrounding dirt, etc. If you are really asked to remove the straw, remember that doesn't literally include removing everything that the straw composted into. If it doesn't look like a picture of straw any more, I'd say it isn't straw, and it stays. Again, I'd make sure (through your agent) that that is what the buyer will accept, and whether your agent agrees that is in your best interest. Of course, speaking practically, anything that closes the deal may be in your best interest... Best of luck!

 

[paneubert]

Advertisement on local town facebook group or Craigslist asking for some strapping young lads from the High School or home from college for the summer to come over and do a couple hours of wheelbarrowing might be worth it. Offer to buy them some pizza and drinks, plus some cash. It has worked for me in the past when I need something done quick that was essentially just mindless manual labor.

 

[txplowgirl]

Till it up to loosen it then bag it up and take it to your new place to use. If not just let people know in your local paper free compost come and get it. If it was me I would be tilling and taking it to your new place because a garden needs good compost unless you don't garden. Just my 2 cents.