Tarped Run and Dust

[eekay]

Wasn't sure which forum this should go under. It is chicken health related but ultimately focuses on run design.

I've been noticing my girls with black nostrils and some transient respiratory issues. Runny nose and a little wheezing that lasts a brief period and goes away. Not severe enough for to ring alarm bells about a virus. Seemingly occurs after some dust bathing.

My run is currently tarped in with Super 6 vapor barrier for the winter to eliminate drafts. The floor is entirely made of about a cubic yard of top soil that I laid in the fall. It is very fine Since doing so I've noticed the waterer and feeder her covered with a thick baby powder fine layer of brown dust rather quickly. I'm thinking the girls mist be kicking up a lot of this dust and a lot of it is going into their lungs.

Any recommendations for a floor covering for the run? I see a lot of references to using straw. I can get bales of cut/sifted and dust free straw very inexpensively. Will a good thick layer eliminate the dust issues? I'm wanting to do this as well as the temps for the rest of Jan will be around -30F and lower. Hoping this would also protect their feet.

 

[eekay]

Of course once I post I see someone asked this exact question in this thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/covered-run-is-soooo-dusty-what-can-i-do.1443803/


I...can't seem to figure out how to delete my thread. But, if anyone has any suggestions.

Some have recommended opening to a larger portion of the plastic to allow better airflow. I would, but with the winds very high and the temperature being around -40F, any draft at all, period, is going to be detrimental.

 

[DobieLover]

Of course once I post I see someone asked this exact question in this thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/covered-run-is-soooo-dusty-what-can-i-do.1443803/


I...can't seem to figure out how to delete my thread. But, if anyone has any suggestions.

Some have recommended opening to a larger portion of the plastic to allow better airflow. I would, but with the winds very high and the temperature being around -40F, any draft at all, period, is going to be detrimental.

Can you post pictures of YOUR setup? Everyone's setup is unique.
Regardless, chickens are dusty creatures. My coop/run is also coated in dust. I use a thick layer of wood chips in the run so they are not on bare ground.
I also tarp my run but leave the upper triangular section open. The spaces between the rafters are also left open.

 

[tigger19687]

@eekay Where do you live? please put it in your profile avatar, makes it easier to answer questions.

1) no matter what season it is best to have something like wood chips or shavings or hay/straw in the run. Keeps them busy looking for things that hide in the dirt.

2) those things listed above also help keep the ground from becoming totally compacted .... My hens don't like solid ground like that.

3) you are going to have dust, don't think about it. They will be happy just make sure there is ventilation. Also they could have a dust bath spot and spend a lot of time there.
Mine get that black nose when they are dust bathing.

Put a nice THICK layer of that straw.. think 5 inches thick, it will get less as the Winter goes. This will get them scratching and also help keep them a bit warmer (not a lot but better then bare ground).
I have Hay and a ton of leaves from Fall I put in there a few weeks ago. I banked a lot on the sides of the run area to help with drafts and they kick around in there during the day.
ALSO, toss some scratch in there to encourage them to scratch. Not too much or you will attract mice and such. I have (I think) a chipmunk that goes in at night to forage but it's under the hay/leaves so I am not sure. I don't care so long as he stays OUTSIDE the coop

 

[tigger19687]

A bit hard to see the dust on the sides..
Here is a pic form my security camera of the run. Sorry it's not a wide angle camera so this is the best pic I get with the main area where they hang. It's located above the coop door, far end is the 'gate' where a board is on the bottom to help keep the weight of snow from pushing in... when we get snow which is late this year.
You can see the hay and leaves all mixed in together. It has been about a month in there. They have not started to dig today so no open hole areas