Super muddy run

[arlyons65]

we have terrible dirt where I live in the Texas panhandle. When it is dry it is like cement. When it rains it is like slick mud! I’m wondering what people are using to control the mud in runs. It is partially covered. Then I have the sun and heat that comes in between the rain and makes the poop stink. I can’t get it raked up poop with ankle deep mud. I was thinking about baking soda? Or grass clippings? Gravel? Sand? I’m afraid most of the stuff with mix in with the mud and disappear. The inside coop area is fine. It’s just he run.

 

[Boo623]

Use sweet pdz it’s for horses kind of like a stall dry to neutralize and kill the smell and then either hay grass clippings or brown mulch as build up

 

[arlyons65]

Use sweet pdz it’s for horses kind of like a stall dry to neutralize and kill the smell and then either hay grass clippings or brown mulch as build up

I had someone tell me the straw can grow mites in the hole if the straw. Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[Boo623]

I had someone tell me the straw can grow mites in the hole if the straw. Thank you for the suggestions.

Not straw hay I’ve used straw and it doesn’t absorb the water it just kinda get gross and keeps on moisture I haven’t done the hay but that’s what other people suggested so I did the brown mulch

 

[blackdog043]

From what your describing, deep litter will work good in your run. Start with a natural mulch (not colored) or tree trimming mulch, leaves, a little straw, pine needles, small and bigger branch pieces, yard waste ect... You want a good mixture of different items. Add more stuff as it breaks down, to keep the smell away. You get a nice compost to use or give away, if you want to. Here's a pic of my run just after adding some yard waste.

 

[JurassicChicken]

I had a similar question a few weeks ago when we had 9" of rain over about a 5 day period. My run, which had wood shavings with hard earth beneath, became a muddy, stinking mess. I don't know how to post a link to that thread, but I got some very good advice. Now my run has wood chips (like the chips made by tree removal companies when they use a wood chipper), pine needles, and pine bark. The difference is amazing. There is no mud or smell. I throw out scratch feed so the chickens scratch and fluff up the chips-bark-needles combination every day. They seem to like it, and I certainly do.

 

[townchicks]

You really should consider deep litter.

 

[aart]

I had a similar question a few weeks ago when we had 9" of rain over about a 5 day period. My run, which had wood shavings with hard earth beneath, became a muddy, stinking mess. I don't know how to post a link to that thread, but I got some very good advice. Now my run has wood chips (like the chips made by tree removal companies when they use a wood chipper), pine needles, and pine bark. The difference is amazing. There is no mud or smell. I throw out scratch feed so the chickens scratch and fluff up the chips-bark-needles combination every day. They seem to like it, and I certainly do.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...uddy-stinky-mess-of-a-run-any-advice.1249498/