My planned chicken run used to belong to my dog...

[dbounds10]

ok so we are building our coop and plan to put it inside the 12x18 run that used to belong to my dog before he got to old to be an outside dog. Is there anything I dhould worry about since he used to live in there?

I mean its cleaned out and he has not spent any length of time in there for almost a year now but I dont want to put them out there and then they get sick. Can I sanitize it with anything?

Thoughts, Comments, HELP

 

[paddock36]

Is it concrete on the bottom or just dirt? I guess that might make a difference in what you use or if you need to.

 

[dbounds10]

Its all dirt and grass

 

[paddock36]

I would say then just to rake it up and maybe put some DE around to help in case there are fleas. DE helps a bunch.

 

[dbounds10]

Thanks - What is DE?

 

[mother o' chicks72]

diatamatious earth

 

[drumstick diva]

I suppose(dog) worm eggs could still be in the soil but, I don't believe they would infect chickens.

 

[dbounds10]

Thanks for the help - is diatamatious earth what they like to dust bath in also?

 

[mother o' chicks72]

no, but it wont hurt them. its stuff that kills bugs.

 

[ralleia]

Yes, DE is often included in dust baths, along with sand and wood ash, and a little Sevin dust.

I'd be more worried about the possibility of feces contaminated with roundworm or something--I'll try to do some more research tonight.

When do you plan to get the chickens in? Is it a sunny location?

If it is, then you might try "soil sterilization." Get a piece of sturdy plastic big enough to cover the entire area. Wait until the weather will be hot and sunny, then water the area down well, cover with the plastic sheet, and let the sun cook the soil for a few weeks.

It should kill most, if not all soil-borne diseases.

Then I'd consider covering the run in pea gravel and some coarse sand. With chickens, dirt and grass rapidly becomes mud and dirt. It'll be cleaner for them and for you to cover the area with pea gravel.