So, my run stinks. literally.

[The WinterWolf]

It stinks mainly because they're starting to get cramped. When you say layer/seed, what is that? Layer pellets? Scratch? Mixed bags?

i feed them 15% layer pellets at tractors supply, and some sunflower seeds for wild birds.

 

[The WinterWolf]

i have noticed they are getting cramped in that coop, so i let them out of their pen sometimes

 

[The WinterWolf]

i think their run is big enough, but their coop is an absolute no.

 

[The WinterWolf]

Need a lot more details, if not photos as well. Exact footprint of coop and of the run, and what bedding are you currently using in the run? Is it covered or uncovered? Where are you located/what is your climate ("places" while cheeky is not useful in this case)?

it's uncovered. i'm really trying to find hay, but the grass is all green and short this year.
so i looked at a feed store, and they got nothin. i think the main problem is the coop. iv'e been meaning to fix that, but i can't do it myself, and no one will help.

then i will work on an entertainment system so they don't start plucking each other bald.

 

[The WinterWolf]

Need a lot more details, if not photos as well. Exact footprint of coop and of the run, and what bedding are you currently using in the run? Is it covered or uncovered? Where are you located/what is your climate ("places" while cheeky is not useful in this case)?

it used to be covered, but the wind and rain beat that tarp up.

it's fall, late fall. it's cold and wet, but it never snows. it is getting very windy, and i really should pay attention to the temperature. the coop used to be set up on stilts, but it kept blowing over so now it's not. it is currently 9:59 at night, so it's not exactly light out, so no pictures yet

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Describe drainage. Is the run constantly muddy or wet? If it rains, how long does it stay wet? What is the soil like? Gravel, sand, clay, grass, weedy? Does water stand in it for days at a time? Does it slope so water runs off? Failure to drain can certainly lead to odor. You don't want your chickens standing in their own sewage. This can lead to bumblefoot and other problems.

 

[BReeder!]

Carbon and aeration.

Turn the soil to bring in oxygen that healthy bacteria need to deal with the nasty odor causing waste that's on and in the soil. While turning the soil, introduce wood chips. Get the cheapest, undyed, untreated shredded wood chips and mix as much of that stuff into the soil as you can. A tiller is helpful, but if you don't have one you can keep cost down and turn the soil by hand with a shovel or digging fork. If you go the manual route, be sure to break up clumps of soil as much as possible as your going.

Another thing to think about is drainage. If your run stinjs, it is likely wet. Mixing in wood chips will help with drainage in the top few inches (as low as you go when turning the soil and incorporating the chips) but you may need to regrade the run or the ground around it as well as redirect gutters or other water sources to help keep the run dry.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What are the dimensions of your coop and run, in feet x feet x feet? Length x width x height. Give coop dimensions separate from run dimensions. We will try to figure out a way to keep your birds from escaping.

 

[The WinterWolf]

Describe drainage. Is the run constantly muddy or wet? If it rains, how long does it stay wet? What is the soil like? Gravel, sand, clay, grass, weedy? Does water stand in it for days at a time? Does it slope so water runs off? Failure to drain can certainly lead to odor. You don't want your chickens standing in their own sewage. This can lead to bumblefoot and other problems.

nope, it's only foggy most of the time. the soil is mostly clay, with tons of minerals.
if it rains, it stays cold and wet for 3 days at least. i really need that thing covered. and no, water evaporates very fast around here. it stays puddle-ey for a day or two tops.

 

[The WinterWolf]

What are the dimensions of your coop and run, in feet x feet x feet? Length x width x height. Give coop dimensions separate from run dimensions. We will try to figure out a way to keep your birds from escaping.

the coop is about 1 x 4 feet. very small, but most of them sleep on the top of the coop regardless.