Using deck as run?

[birdlover]

I no longer have chickens but, when I did, their coop was built under the deck and the rest of the space under there was for them to be in if I wanted to keep them closed up. It was a very large area and I extended it out into the open so they could get some sun. They really loved it under there and scratched around until there was very little gravel but a lot of just plain dirt. They would make these deep dust bath holes and I was very thankful to have it for when there was bad weather or a hawk was hanging around or I had to go somewhere and lock them under the deck. I never had an issue with smell but, then, they would free range in my backyard when I was home so they didn't live under there 24/7. I kept their food under there during the day and it attracted chipmunks and rabbits but I didn't see any rats. Flies were present in the summer time but I used DE and that helped enormously. Soo, in my case, I thought it worked great!!

 

[grandmaof5]

i have panthers roaming the yard (well they THINK they're panthers) do you have any cats?

We don't have cats, but neighbours on both sides each have 2(domestic, not panthers) ...and they DO roam through our yard. Our (very small) dog chases one of them, but the others saunter through daily.​

 

[txchickie]

My free-range chickens have used our back deck as a "day coop", if you will. They hang out under there for shade and I even have nestboxes under there, since it seems to be a popular place for egg laying

At the moment I have a broody hatching eggs under the deck.

I sprinkle DE under there, and it has pea gravel for a "floor". I sprinkle the DE and then get a small rake and stir it in. No smells or flies at ALL. Plus it stays nice and cool in the summer. The sides, except for right under the steps, are covered with lattice so it offers a little protection from the elements for my free-range birds. They spend a lot of time under there just hanging out.