Chicken Run Ground Odor

[WhiteRabbit75]

I'm new to owning Backyard Chickens. I have developed a method of cleaning the coop every 2 days so I have no issues with odor inside the coop. My problem is we live in the city in California with neighbors surrounding all sides. The ground area in the run under the coop on hot days emits an odor. I have been putting diatomaceous earth on the ground when the ladies sleep but feel like it is not helping enough. It was grass when we put the coop down but now is mostly dirt. Does anyone have advise on what I can put on the ground to help with the smell so my neighbors aren't bothered. It's a small coop/run so it would be difficult to put something in there that would need to be periodically scooped out and replaced.

 

[nuthatched]

Diatomaceous earth won't do anything for the smell, it's also bad for anything with lungs, especially birds. You can use a product called sweet pdz, it absorbs smells, it's used in coops and horse stalls.

 

[Shmemums]

Diatomaceous earth won't do anything for the smell, it's also bad for anything with lungs, especially birds. You can use a product called sweet pdz, it absorbs smells, it's used in coops and horse stalls.

I just bought some sweet pdz granules yesterday for the brooder inside! I think since California doesn't get much rain then it will work in the run area. How big is the run area?

 

[WhiteRabbit75]

I just bought some sweet pdz granules yesterday for the brooder inside! I think since California doesn't get much rain then it will work in the run area. How big is the run area?

We added an extension to the coop kit we bought to give them more room. The run area is about 8 1/2 ft long by 2 1/2 ft wide.

 

[Shmemums]

We added an extension to the coop kit we bought to give them more room. The run area is about 8 1/2 ft long by 2 1/2 ft wide.

I'm thinking if it's only the ground directly under the coop put down a thick layer of sweet pdz and once a week get you a rake and rake the poo out and throw it away. You don't have to change the whole "litter" that way because apparently the moisture will make it clump and harden and be easy to get the poo out without spreading the poo everywhere

 

[aart]

Get some coarse wood chips to bed the run.
It will break down the poops and that will remove the odors.
No need to 'clean'.

 

[ValarieF]

I'm new to owning Backyard Chickens. I have developed a method of cleaning the coop every 2 days so I have no issues with odor inside the coop. My problem is we live in the city in California with neighbors surrounding all sides. The ground area in the run under the coop on hot days emits an odor. I have been putting diatomaceous earth on the ground when the ladies sleep but feel like it is not helping enough. It was grass when we put the coop down but now is mostly dirt. Does anyone have advise on what I can put on the ground to help with the smell so my neighbors aren't bothered. It's a small coop/run so it would be difficult to put something in there that would need to be periodically scooped out and replaced.

DE is good for bugs and stuff but not smells. PDZ works for that