Smells so bad

[Chickenssmell]

Hey! I have had chickens (12-30) for the last 8 years. Super clean w them. I clean the coop once a week and rake the run biweekly. This spring in Pa we have had soooo much rain. I developed a bit of a smelly mud hole in the middle of the run. I pulled up all the old straw that was matted down that has not been raked up and then loaded the run w wood chips. Well the rain keeps coming now I have the same problem in the middle. A stinky stagnant smell. Im so OCD I contemplated getting rid of them, then I thought Id just move them but the spot they are in is perfect. Id love to let them free range but we have to many predators and they murder my flower beds. HELP!!! What do I do?

 

[dotporter]

use gravel or dirt to raise the wet area. Take a few packs of powdered kool aid mix (any cheap kind) and sprinkle the powder where it stinks. You may have to dig a little drain if the ground doesn't slope enough to drain the area.

 

[Chickenssmell]

Is this common, the wet stagnant spot? Ive never had it in 8 years.

 

[ShanasCastle]

Hey! I have had chickens (12-30) for the last 8 years. Super clean w them. I clean the coop once a week and rake the run biweekly. This spring in Pa we have had soooo much rain. I developed a bit of a smelly mud hole in the middle of the run. I pulled up all the old straw that was matted down that has not been raked up and then loaded the run w wood chips. Well the rain keeps coming now I have the same problem in the middle. A stinky stagnant smell. Im so OCD I contemplated getting rid of them, then I thought Id just move them but the spot they are in is perfect. Id love to let them free range but we have to many predators and they murder my flower beds. HELP!!! What do I do?

Is it possible to put in a drainage for that area to prevent standing water? Just a small trench, throw in some drain pipe and cover? If not, gravel (smaller crusher run type) placed in the spot to help drain?

 

[dotporter]

Is this common, the wet stagnant spot? Ive never had it in 8 years.

In my experience, they find a spot that they like to dig in and eventually it gets low enough that a heavy rain turns it into a bog. It takes a long time of birds digging, a heavy rain, and ground that isn't draining fast enough.

Unfortunately, putting straw directly on dirt tends to build up a mat of heavy soil that drains poorly. I found that one out the hard way, and not until several years later.

It just takes time for certain things to pop up.

 

[dotporter]

Is it possible to put in a drainage for that area to prevent standing water? Just a small trench, throw in some drain pipe and cover? If not, gravel (smaller crusher run type) placed in the spot to help drain?

THAT is exactly what I do. Dig a trench, run a pipe to lower ground, fill gravel and sand.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Lots of sand! Plus organic matter. I mix sawdust with lime and sprinkle it outside in smelly areas.

 

[dotporter]

Lots of sand! Plus organic matter. I mix sawdust with lime and sprinkle it outside in smelly areas.

I always worry about burning their feet with lime. That's why I came up with the kool aid trick. The citric acid helps to kill off bacteria and odor and the kool aid makes the pens smell fruity.

 

[ShanasCastle]

I always worry about burning their feet with lime. That's why I came up with the kool aid trick. The citric acid helps to kill off bacteria and odor and the kool aid makes the pens smell fruity.

I use a combination of lemon essential oil and tea tree oil to keep my coop fresh and bug free. I've never tried the Kool aide trick! My husband is a heating/plumbing tech who comes from a long line of farmers who have a knack for coming up with solutions! I will pose this question to him when he's awake!

 

[dotporter]

I cheat. Someone with a horse farm uses citric acid to keep down smell. I'm el'cheapo. I know kool aid is just citric acid with flavor and color. Works just as good, with a fruity smell. AND the dye lets me know where i put it.