Sterilize Run with Propane Torch?

[treecow]

I was wondering if I could use a propane torch to sterilize the chicken's run. There is no grass, just caked up dirt. The torch could possibly kill bacteria but I'm not so sure about the whole idea. I was looking at Red Dragon torches, any suggestions?

 

[patandchickens]

Er, why are you WANTING to????

To answer your actual question, a torch will only 'sterilize' the very topmost skim of earth, and most of anything you'd potentially be after is not contained only in that layer, so you will be leaving lots and lots of <whatevers> untouched.

If you are concerned about worm eggs/larvae, you will not kill them all with a torch and it makes more sense (IMHO) to treat the *chickens* rather than the earth.

I truly see no point in it, especially since it is terrible for the soil and a significant fire hazard.

Good luck, have fun (er, but not TOO much fun with that torch

),

Pat

 

[columbiacritter]

No to torch. If you really want to clean up as much of the parasites and bacteria as possible without sterilizing your soil with chemicals then churn it as deep as you can several times over a week or more. Exposure to UV light, sunshine, and air will kill 99% of the harmful crud without damaging the good stuff in your soil. Treat it with sweet lime or dolomite lime which is great for your birds and changes the PH of your soil, another whammee to harmful stuff.

The healthier you make your soil the least likely anything nasty will take hold. I am proud to say when I turn the earth in my run it smells like soil and the earth worms are both HUGE and in great numbers so my soil is thriving. My birds love it when I come out with a pitchfork to do any churning.