Covered run is soooo dusty, what can I do?

[Eglanterina]

I'm in a very cold, snowy region of Canada. I cover my run with vapour barrier to create a nice, snow-free, and protected space for my ladies. I tilled up the dirt floor this fall because it was so packed down and prevented the ladies from dust bathing. Now, four months later, the dust from all of their scratching and well, just being dusty themselves, has gotten so bad. I can taste the dust in the air when I go in the run and that can not be good for their respiratory systems. I've laid down a layer of straw and leave the door open for some air circulation but that really hasn't done much. Any suggestions?

 

[rosemarythyme]

How covered up is the run? You might've overdone it trying to hold heat in, but they still need good cross ventilation. Photos would help as well as measurements.

 

[Vacman]

I have hoop house over my chicken coop with 1/2 of one end permanently open. I had a dust problem and it was caused by organic scratch grain I bought at Tractor Supply. Terribly dusty. I ended up installing an exhaust fan at the closed end of the run and it created enough airflow to carry the dust out. This whole hoop house chicken coop area is located in a new fruit tree orchard and it's surrounded by electric net fencing. The coop has an electric door operated by a light sensor.

 

[NatJ]

Normally, I would suggest just a little water--not enough to be sopping wet, just slightly moist. But with your cold weather right now, that might just freeze into ice, so I'm not sure

 

[Eglanterina]

How covered up is the run? You might've overdone it trying to hold heat in, but they still need good cross ventilation. Photos would help as well as measurements.

Yes, it's completely covered except for one wall that I can lift up when it's not snowing. I think you're right - I think I need more ventilation. This probably hasn't been an issue in past years because there was less loose soil. Thank you for suggesting a simple solution!

 

[Eglanterina]

Normally, I would suggest just a little water--not enough to be sopping wet, just slightly moist. But with your cold weather right now, that might just freeze into ice, so I'm not sure

That was my initial thought too - I think more ventilation is key. Thanks!

 

[3KillerBs]

As a southerner, I can't provide any personal experience about plastic-wrapped runs, but most of the photos I've seen leave at least part of the leeward wall and 6-12" of the top of all walls open to ensure good ventilation.

 

[aart]

Just 'dirt' on the ground?
I'd cover most of it with chunky wood chippings, leaving the driest place for dust bathing.

 

[vantain]

I have this problem too. It’s extremely dusty, since my run is completely dirt. I occasionally dump the existing pine bedding from the coop, into the run, but that doesn’t really help much. It’s more of a problem during winter, when the run is closed off so much from the extreme cold. Many people say to use wood chips, but I have no idea where to find the type suggested. The dust is everywhere.

 

[Vacman]

I just got bales of straw and spread it out in mine. In some places right now, after adding to it from time to time, I'd say it's probably 6" deep. I throw scratch grain on it perhaps once weekly to get the hens to scratch around in it and keep it fluffed up...also keep it oxygenated so it doesn't turn anaerobic and smell.