run deoderizer???

[leadwolf1]

South Eastern PA. It is horrible here. All of my chickens are 14 weeks and under...I am trying everything I can to keep them somewhat cool. I'm even making yogurt fruit bars for them, my kids are jealous

I'm going out today to purchase a cheap fan to cool the run...the coop already has one, and a small, shallow pool just in case they would like to go wading

I don't even know where our humidity is coming from it has been so dry! The grass is all dead and the ground is cracking...

 

[OHhappychicks]

I know what you mean about trying to keep them cool. I just did a search on misters for the run. I think I'm going to run to lowes and walmart to see what they have. I think I'm going to search run covers also. We bought shade clothe for another project but hate to use it. I had to order it from home depot, as they don't carry it in the stores. It is supposed to reduce temp by 15 degrees. I think we are going to try to rig up something and put a mister in for them. I also read someone put out frozen watermelon slices for their flock. Going to try that today also. Hope you all get some rain soon. I believe we have a 40% chance tomorrow. We don't need any for a little while.

 

[oxfordethan]

Our run gets a little smelly after a rain. I take a garden rake to it, sprinkle some DE and then top it off with a light sprinkleing of wood savings. Works for me. BTW run is 12x6 sand/dirt...only two hens right now.

 

[OHhappychicks]

THanks oxfordethan! I put some de on it this morn. The sun should be on it in a little while, so hopefully with the combination of the two, it will take care of it.

 

[OHhappychicks]

Since I've posted this, I've been researching D E. I've always known their was a food grade and the other kind used for pool filters. We purchased a 50 lb bag when we first got our chicks 3 yrs ago. Been using it in our coop to contol insects and I guess it has been working as we aren't overcome with flies and such. I was getting ready to spread some more around the stinky area of the run, and add some to their feed that is outside with flies around it, when I decided to actually read the bag. It clearly states on the front for "filtration"!

All this time, I thought it was the natural stuff! When I bought it at the feed store, the clerk was kinda taken aback when I asked him if it was natural de. Then he said "Well the Amish use it"! Which makes no diff to me, but because it was at the feed store, they don't sell pools or filters, I went ahead and bought it! So to get back to my searching D E, I discovered that the permaguard pure DE brand is sold down the road from me about 6-8 miles! It is the only place listed on their site in OHIo! How awesome is that! Now that doesn't happen to often around here! Not only does the seller live close by, but we and especially my DH knows them very well. Who Knew!! I can't tell you how excited I am, that I don't have to go and search everywhere for it. We live in a rural area, and we do have tsc, lowes, walmart, Kmart, but you can't always find what you need around here without going at least 40-50 mi to find it. He sells it for $34 a 50 lb bag. I'm not sure if that is a good price or not, but it is worth it to me not to have to go looking!!

(Hmmm...Now I need to find someone who uses the other de in their pool filter....)

 

[char259]

On one hand I'm very fortunate that we live on a sand hill. It makes for keeping the coop and run very dry and manageable and almost scent free. On the other hand the sand can be terribly HOT during the summer months. Which is another problem altogether. sigh

 

[leadwolf1]

Quote:
Wow!! I can get a 50# bag of food grade de at the local feed mill for 15.50...might be worth it to look just a little further

 

[chicmom]

Quote:
I'll have to try that! I also have sand in my run, and the run has a roof, but boy has it gotten stinky lately....Peee-uuuuuu! Thank you for this tip!

 

[Nicole01]

I rake my run and hose it down. 1-2 times a week. I pick up the poop daily where their favorite spot to lay. I've never had a problem with odor in the coop or run. My coop is in the garage and I clean that 3-5 times a day when I visit my girls. I only use DE inside the coop. Also, it's important to wear a mask whenever using DE. It's very dusty and not good for your lungs.

Oh, I have sand in 1/2 the run. The other 1/2 was grass, but now is dirt.

 

[Farmer_Dan]

whew do those teenagers STINK!!!

I have the same problem right now w/ 25 little ones. They're in the tractor at the moment, moving around the yard, we try to keep them out of the main coop until they are past their super incredibly stinky phase.

GL, keeping it dry is probably the key.