Suggetions needed! Rodents control and Odor control

[GudaRen]

Hello guys! The Health Department came to our house to do an inspection due to complaint about increasing number of rodents. They believe that our chicken is attracting the rodents. The Health Department workers also did not like the smell of the chicken run. Any suggestion on how to decrease rodents and odor for the run. I read that sand can help? How did you guys add sand to the run? Thank you in advance!

 

[ChaosMom]

Hello guys! The Health Department came to our house to do an inspection due to complaint about increasing number of rodents. They believe that our chicken is attracting the rodents. The Health Department workers also did not like the smell of the chicken run. Any suggestion on how to decrease rodents and odor for the run. I read that sand can help? How did you guys add sand to the run? Thank you in advance!

Can you post a picture of your current coop and run? What do you use as "flooring" (litter) in your run?

Many have found that, except in certain climates, sand makes smells worse.

For now, you might try some zeolite, often called Sweet PDZ or stall sweetener. It absorbs a lot of the ammonia smell.

If you have rodents, it does sound like your run isn't predator-proof, or at least isn't rodent-proof.

 

[HoneyBeeHomestead]

I second posting some pictures of your coop and run. How are you storing your feed? If it's not secure, it will attract rodents. Is your coop and run predator proof?
To help with smells, I'd scrape the coop and run clean, then put baking soda or diatomaceous earth (or both) down. Then put bedding on top. I've never used sand, but pine shavings or pine pellets work great.