strong coop smell after heavy rains

[aembry1]

I clean my coop and run every week. This week we had a lot of rain and the smell is bad, even after I cleaned the coop and run. What can I do to take care of the odor? I don't want to upset my neighbors with a strong smell.

 

[black_cat]

I had the same issue with my run. What I did is I turned all the wet, packed dirt, and mixed in dry pine shavings and dry sand. Smell decreased in minutes, and the run dried out.

 

[aembry1]

Hopefully it stops raining soon so I can do that!

 

[black_cat]

Hopefully it stops raining soon so I can do that!

Maybe try putting a tarp over your run so that more rain can't get in?

 

[aembry1]

Maybe try putting a tarp over your run so that more rain can't get in?

There is a tarp over the top of the run. We had sideways rain that came in on one side. I couldn't get out to get another tarp to put on the side due to quarantine because my husband is having surgery tomorrow. I plan on picking up two more tarps to put on two sides of the run to help with sideways rain.

 

[black_cat]

There is a tarp over the top of the run. We had sideways rain that came in on one side. I couldn't get out to get another tarp to put on the side due to quarantine because my husband is having surgery tomorrow. I plan on picking up two more tarps to put on two sides of the run to help with sideways rain.

Oof, sideways rain is annoying. There's only so much you can do, so if the rain prevails, it might be best to wait it out. Wishing your husband a good surgery.

 

[PioneerChicks]

One fact that may matter, it has been proven that all smells are stronger after rain, during rain, when wet, or in high humidity. Hope that helps a little!

 

[aembry1]

One fact that may matter, it has been proven that all smells are stronger after rain, during rain, when wet, or in high humidity. Hope that helps a little!

yes, it does help. I can handle the smell, even though it is strong. I just don't want to alienate my neighbors in my subdivision.

 

[3KillerBs]

You don't have to wait for the rain to stop in order to add more dry bedding.

As soon as you can obtain wood chips, shavings, straw, pine straw, etc. layer it on so that it can absorb the wet. Throw a few handfuls of scratch down and the chickens will do the mixing for you.

If ground water is running into the coop in addition to the sideways rain you'll need to take measures to divert it. Simplest is a ditch -- which can be dug even during the rain. Later you can take more permanent action such as installing French drain or having the area graded.

 

[aembry1]

Thank you!