Wet Run Question

[vckums]

Right now the run has grass and I know that won't last long. What's best for a run floor to use in wet weather?
Also with it being grass right now, how can I keep the smell down? I don't want the neighbors complaining.

 

[scooter147]

It has been really wet here lately and I simply throw straw around.

As far as smell, how many chickens do you have?

I have 29 chickens and smell is not an issue for me until I go in and till the run then that brings the ammonia smell to the surface. It last only a short while. I only till on sunny days as each part of my run gets sun at least part of the day.

 

[vckums]

I have 4 chickens. But we live in the suburbs so I'm concerned about it. We notice it when we walk up to the run.

The hay doesnt mold in the wet weather?

 

[gkeesling]

I have 19 chickens and they don't free range. I've not had a smell problem in my run. I just figured the rain washed all the "nasties" away. it gets a little muddy in the run, but it dries pretty quickly after the rain and all is well again.

 

[Wynette]

I wouldn't think you'd have an odor with only 4 chickens...how big is their space? Maybe they just need more space. I would just leave the run dirt....they love to scratch around in it and dust bathe in it.

 

[JessaLynn]

Put down mulch,rocks,sand.Just 4 chickens shouldn't be bad.We have 70 and you wouldn't know it unless you opened the barn door and stired up the pine shavings.Our ducks are waaaay stinkier.Just good up keep on the coop and run should be good enough.

 

[Davaroo]

Gravel, then mulch. Straw works in lieu of mulch.

And listen not to such silliness as "only four chickens." Does anyone ever have "only" four chickens?
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GO here - hurry!:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

 

[scooter147]

I don't have any issue with the straw going moldy. What they don't work into the ground they scratch into little itty bitty pieces.

With four chickens you should not be experiencing any oder problems.

 

[vckums]

Thanks for the link, I read that.

Their coop is an old rabbit hutch with 2 nesting boxes on the sides. The run is attached to it and is 8ft W x 16ft L. As far as expanding, that's as big as we can go due to us not having "land". My house sits on 0.25 acres. I got neighbors on both sides and behind us, and there was smell even with 4 chickens. It wasn't OMG thats horrid, but you knew there was chickens lol I know they are gonna smell a bit, just don't want to have that get bad.

We went and got a few bags of mulch and spread it out there. Parts not covered with a roof I am hoping the rain will wash away the poopies they do.

Thanks so much for the replies! We appreciate it.