Smelly run

[Pecky03]

I live in Vegas it’s 106 today... I constantly have the mister running to keep the chickens cool. So the run’s dirt floor is constantly damp...
It can get pretty smelly. every morning I rake it out and try to throw some fresh dirt on top and I have shavings on the floor of their coop but it’s really not helping the smell. What else can I do?? I was going to put hay on the ground but was afraid it would get damp and cause another problem.

 

[cheekychick3]

Hi, have you tried using bark, plus soil /dirt. ???? together. I maybe totally wrong,
but i think it would freshen it up. Maybe others will advise you better. Hope you
sort it soon.

 

[Alaskan]

I think a bag of PDZ or stall dry mixed up onto the run would help.

And yeah.... sounds hot.

 

[aart]

Wood chips from tree trimmers(might not be plausible in NV)....
bagged cedar bark or wood mulch(if you can find any without coloring).

 

[Lazy Farmer]

It's been 107* heat index here.. if you smelled our swine paddock..

Unfortunate side effect from misting.
Are watermelons available there? they are in season.
When it gets scorching here (summer) , I place watermelon wedges in the trusty freezer for bout an hour- and the birds go crazy.. it cools their core & hydrates simultaneously.

 

[chookchick]

Don't use hay or straw--they are the worst for smell! I agree with the wood chips and the bonus is they will stay moist and help keep things cool. A nice thick layer. When it get really hot here in the NW (not often), I put out a pan of water with frozen water bottles in it. So they can sip cool water from the pan, or even stand in it to cool off.

 

[Pecky03]

Don't use hay or straw--they are the worst for smell! I agree with the wood chips and the bonus is they will stay moist and help keep things cool. A nice thick layer. When it get really hot here in the NW (not often), I put out a pan of water with frozen water bottles in it. So they can sip cool water from the pan, or even stand in it to cool off.

Yes I do the frozen water bottles also. I also put two frozen water bottles in their coop at night to hopefully cool that down.
I’ll try the wood chips and I did go out and get the sweet peat that did help. I also purchased a powder to get rid of mites ( just in case) and that helped with the ants so all seems to be better now!!