Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hello everyone!

Im looking for some advice on managing the smell in my chicken run. We have a small coop with four chickens and a 10x10 run. Over time, theyve scratched everything down to bare dirt. I clean their coop weekly, replace bedding, and rake out the run every Saturday, but Im still struggling with odor control.

We live in town with neighbors close by, so keeping things as odor-free as possible is really importantnot just for them, but for us, too! Ive started planting lavender and coneflowers around the run, hoping theyll help as they grow bigger next year. My goal is to have the entire run surrounded by chicken-safe flowers to create a more pleasant environment.

We tried using straw and wood shavings in the run, but they seemed to make the smell even worse, and we ended up with a huge fly problem. I know flies arent great for the chickens, so I want to get this under control as soon as possible.

What are the best ways to reduce both smell and flies in a dirt-floor run? Are there better materials to use, or should I be treating the soil with something?

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thank you!

If your run has poor drainage, that could be making the smell worse. I had to install a French drain around mine to keep water from pooling. Dry ground means less odor!

One thing that worked wonders for me was adding agricultural lime (not hydrated lime!). It neutralizes odors and keeps the ground drier. I sprinkle a thin layer in my run every couple of weeks.

Consider composting the chicken manure separately instead of letting it build up in the run. A dedicated compost bin for droppings can keep odors from lingering too long.

Have you tried using fly traps? I hang a few around my run, and they make a noticeable difference in the fly population. They won't completely eliminate them, but they help a lot!

Instead of straw or wood shavings, try using dried leaves or pine needles. They don't hold moisture as much and break down better, reducing odor.

I found that adding herbs like mint and rosemary to the run helped keep things smelling fresher. I toss fresh clippings in when I clean, and my girls enjoy scratching through them.

I had the same problem with flies! What helped me was using food-grade diatomaceous earth. I sprinkle it in the run, and it cuts down on both flies and smell. Just be careful not to overdo it since it can be dusty.

Have you tried adding sand to the run? It drains well, dries quickly, and is easy to rake clean. I use it in my run and it really helps with odor control.

You might want to consider deep litter for the run. It takes a little time to balance, but once established, it naturally composts the waste and controls the smell. I use pine shavings and dried leaves in mine.