new coop run

[ms bernadette]

Hi everyone! I am new to chickens and have 6 beautiful 8 week old chicks! My question is this: We built our coop and layered the run with rock, sand, and pea rock. I also put in some dust bath dirt in a corner for their dust baths! Now after going through some rain and the chicks spilling their food, we have quite an ordor,knat issue. I thought that I thought that I basically could rake out the run and we would be good. I also noticed under some of the pea rock small worms and some mold growing. Suggestions?

 

[DobieLover]

Hi everyone! I am new to chickens and have 6 beautiful 8 week old chicks! My question is this: We built our coop and layered the run with rock, sand, and pea rock. I also put in some dust bath dirt in a corner for their dust baths! Now after going through some rain and the chicks spilling their food, we have quite an ordor,knat issue. I thought that I thought that I basically could rake out the run and we would be good. I also noticed under some of the pea rock small worms and some mold growing. Suggestions?

Is water pooling or being diverted into the run?
What is under all the items you put in the run (what type of soil)?
It stinks and is moldy because it is not drying out.
The ultimate solution is to cover the run with a solid roof and divert all sources of water that are draining into the run away and to add something organic that will dry well and slowly decompose the poop load. I use free wood chips that I get from a local Highway Department.

 

[ms bernadette]

Thank you! We are in Tenn and the soil is clayish! Ill work on diverting the rain. The coop run is covered but the rain can get in on the sides. Today is sunny so hopefully I'll get rid of the dampness. I have some diatomaceous earth if that would help at all.

 

[aart]

I have some diatomaceous earth if that would help at all.

It will not.

 

[ms bernadette]

Thank you!