My run stinks!!!!

[BLaBauve]

I have ~ 15x15 foot run that only has 5 chickens in it, and it STINKS! The run is mostly sand and clay. Almost all of it is covered. I use DE with the sand, but it doesn't mix well with the clay. I was thinking of putting wood chips down. . . do you think that could help with smell? The sand seems so hard now. . . even after I rake it. I live in Georgia if that matters. Any thoughts on what could safely help the smell?

Thanks!

 

[artsyrobin]

what i do is get some stalldry, it is DE mixed with clay, it deoderizes and dries it out- we are battling a similiar thing here... sprinkle it around on the ground like you would powdered sugar

 

[BLaBauve]

Is stalldry at feed stores?

 

[patandchickens]

Wood chips will, after the first week or three, make the smell much worse.

See my 'fix a muddy run' page, as the reason for smell is excessive dampness.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[BLaBauve]

What's weird is that my run never really gets wet. Only a tiny area does.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Put down a few bags of pelletized lime
It will neutralize ammonia
Anything organic that hold moisture will also hold odors

 

[Resolution]

I agree with Bearfoot. Another issue is the feed itself. Most pelleted feed and crumble goes straight out the chicken barely digested. They are obliged to drink copious amounts of water to handle the soybean based protein in their ration and its what they are largely pooping out. Look for a baked extruded kibble feed this is digested with much more efficiency than typical pellets and crumbles. Foragecakes are designed to draw odors out of the droppings before they are dropped if you catch the whiff...They may seem pricey but will last fifteen chickens about two weeks.