How to clean poop out of run?

[Casseylyn8]

What would be the best way to clean poop out of our chicken run? We live in the desert so it's just pea gravel and dirt. It seems impossible to pick up all the little poop out of the rocks. We sprinkle barn lime around the run to help with smells.

 

[black_cat]

What would be the best way to clean poop out of our chicken run? We live in the desert so it's just pea gravel and dirt. It seems impossible to pick up all the little poop out of the rocks. We sprinkle barn lime around the run to help with smells.

If it's just gravel, then you have an issue- the run material should be soft and deep, to allow chickens to scratch, dustbathe, and not cut their feet on rocks. An easy way to get material is to go to the hardware store and get the cheapest dirt you can find (usually topsoil). Just dump the bags in the run and the chickens will do the spreading for you.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since you're in an arid environment I'd consider bringing in sand as the litter, and then you can use a cat litter scoop to scoop out the poops.

 

[sixclicks]

Cleaning a chicken run by raking droppings during dry climate. In dry climate, droppings can be raked up. Fixing the run with a substrate like hardwood chips, sand or significantly elastic chips stays away from the mud/dust shower normally connected with little chicken runs. It additionally makes cleaning simpler and limits smells.

 

[3KillerBs]

I have no experience with a desert climate. I have read that sand runs work best in dry climates so that might be an option for you.

I don't think that composting deep litter is likely to work in your situation -- it would need a lot of water added to keep it going.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Do you have a pic of the area? Pea gravel is generally a smooth tiny stone. If it's not compacted, then a kitty litter scooper will work or a rake. I use coarse sand in my run area and use a kitty litter scoop to get as much as I can. I have ducks and chickens - this method works well.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

We use natural, washed, coarse grain river sand in our coop and run. We buy it by the dumptruck load from our local quarry.

It’s easy to keep clean and doesn’t smell. Every once in a while, I throw down a bag of Sweet PDZ Stall Refresher to keep the sand level up on the poop decks, but once you get a nice, deep layer of sand, it’ll last for years.

If your run is already secure against predators, just add a border and then fill with the sand. If you use 2”x10” boards, you won’t have to dig much.

I use a long-handled wok spider to scoop the poop. Bought it from Amazon. They are available with shorter-length handles too. Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZXGLW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Evvvvvvverybody loves the sand! Another good thing about sand? Other than the dust bathing, is that I’ve never had a problem with lice or mites. Double-plus goodness!

 

[NatJ]

I don't think that composting deep litter is likely to work in your situation -- it would need a lot of water added to keep it going.

Adding litter to the run might be a convenient way to manage the poop, but I agree that it will not compost if it's completely dry. So it would be more like what some people keep in their coops, rather than constantly composting and shrinking down like in wetter areas.

I also agree with the suggestions that sand might work well in that climate.