Smelly and Muddy Coop

[MegsEggsx]

We have been getting a lot of rain for a while and the floor of my coop gets pretty wet, and recently, very smelly. The run/coop is on the ground and is a mixture of the soil that was originally there, mulch, dead grass clippings and of course chicken poop. All layered, so I guess you could call it a deep litter system. Recently as I said it has been raining and the soil is now very stinky, it is now just black moosh. It is quite a sour smell so the chicken poop is not helping and there is quite a lot of flies. Is there something I could do?

 

[MegsEggsx]

Update:
The run seemed to be little less smelly now, but I am sure it will just get worse when it rains again.

 

[Percheron chick]

Only thing you can really do is to control the run off. Install gutters on the coop and divert the water away from the run. Short term a tarp over the run might help if the water has somewhere to go.

 

[3KillerBs]

Sounds like you need to add more dry organic material to cope with the immediate issues and then address any drainage issues you might have.

 

[MegsEggsx]

Ok thanks guys I will try these out.

 

[aart]

Pics of coop and run would help immensely here.

 

[linguini]

We have been getting a lot of rain for a while and the floor of my coop gets pretty wet, and recently, very smelly. The run/coop is on the ground and is a mixture of the soil that was originally there, mulch, dead grass clippings and of course chicken poop. All layered, so I guess you could call it a deep litter system. Recently as I said it has been raining and the soil is now very stinky, it is now just black moosh. It is quite a sour smell so the chicken poop is not helping and there is quite a lot of flies. Is there something I could do?

We used to have mud problems after rain even after we covered the top of the run with tarp (with a slope to create a gutter effect and divert the water/snow to outside of the coop).
I tried for a couple weeks with chopped straws for the flooring, they remained fresh for about 2 days, then became a moldy mess. Although chooks loved to scratch the straws. I finally replaced the floor covering with sand after reading the forum.

The sand works wonder - we have not had any issues with mud or wet floor since. I found the play sand that came dry much easier to use. It's < $5 for a 50lb bag.
I used 6 bags for a 8x8 floor. If you have enough ventilation, the run shouldn't be smelly.

 

[aart]

The sand works wonder

@linguini ...is this in your coop or run....pics please??

Oh, and.....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[DaisyG2317]

Woodchips help alot with erosion, smell, mud

 

[linguini]

@linguini ...is this in your coop or run....pics please??

Oh, and.....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2533581

Will do!! Thanks. I know I've been a slacker