Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: kattcottrell on June 01, 2008, 12:32

Title: Pongy chicken run
Post by: kattcottrell on June 01, 2008, 12:32
Hiya, Any ideas what to do about a smelly chicken run, Its not huge as I plan  to let them wonder around the garden as soon as Mr. Katt makes it more secure :roll: , so because of this I've moved it around about 5 times in the two weeks I've had them, trouble is I'm running out of grass and there is a certain 'barnyardy smell appearing. There house is cleaned daily and spotless but chicken poo on grass is not easy to removed or rake up, I live in a terraced house and don't want the neighbours starting to complain. Personally I don't think its too bad but I think i'm used to it now, and the heat makes it worse too....please help :)

ps
Tried garlic in water
Title: Pongy chicken run
Post by: Foxy on June 01, 2008, 13:10
I wonder if you can surround the run with some boarding then popping a couple inches of nice smelling fresh bark chips-I topped up one of my runs recently and it had nice piney smell!. The other thing I use in my houses -but perhaps if you were really concerned  you could use in your run if its small is Stalosan a highly absorbent deodourising powder with antibactericidal qualities.
Title: Pongy chicken run
Post by: poultry paul on June 01, 2008, 13:44
You can use charcoal as it absorbs wiffyness mix it in with bark chippings etc.
Title: Pongy chicken run
Post by: kattcottrell on June 01, 2008, 13:46
Thanks Foxy, just had a read up on the stalosan and it lookds great, found it on Regency poultry and its on special offer at the moment...cool.

D'you know I don't know what i'd do without this forum, everyone here is always so happy to help and give advise, and quick to reply too :D
Title: Pongy chicken run
Post by: Aunt Sally on June 01, 2008, 13:53
I find that adding garlic powder to their pellets is more successful at deodorising poo than putting garlic into their water.  I use the stuff from horsey shops.

Keeping the run dry stops it getting smelly too !
Title: Pongy chicken run
Post by: muntjac on June 01, 2008, 14:06
its smelly cos the rain .. turn the soil over in the run and then do that every time its getting to pongy .. chucks love it  :wink:
Title: Pongy chicken run
Post by: kattcottrell on June 01, 2008, 14:21
Quote from: "muntjac"
its smelly cos the rain .. turn the soil over in the run and then do that every time its getting to pongy .. chucks love it  :wink:



they don't mind not having any grass then?
Title: Pongy chicken run
Post by: muntjac on June 01, 2008, 14:24
well if its that bad id not want them eating it for health sakes they could end up with worm or some other bug  :cry: ,, dig it over put down bark or straw ,, compost the straw . lime the chippings every few weeks , it wont hurt that they are not on grass at all just feed them plenty of green ... even mower trimmings  will get scoffed :wink: