Fighting Bacteria Post Storm

It is not every year we see such rain. Post 80mph wind storm cleanup has been challenging to say the least. It is a week later and I still see trampolines around town that have not been claimed by their owners.

Today, Mom, Dad and I braved the disgusting conditions in our back yard. In addition to the odor from poop of chickens, bunnies and the nearby cattle, we also have septic water that is bubbling up in the same general location - so the muck and odor is overpowering.

These pictures do not begin to describe the battle we are fighting against bacteria on that side of the property. Check out my post on the top backyard chicken ailments here. We are afraid of Coccidiosis and Respiratory Infections.

Barb and I raking out poopy and soaked straw bedding

I didn’t expect 7 successive days of rain or that first day we would have thought ahead and covered the damaged side of the chicken run. Water has been pouring into the only dry space they have over the last week, so today we put a tarp over the tree that is still sitting on the roof, mucked out the inside - literally, and added some pelletized bedding, DE and a thick layer of straw to help them get some dry land. I am doubtful it will last long if the wet conditions continue but we are supposed to have a dry 5 days ahead so hopefully this will give them some relief.

Pelletized bedding and straw to give them some dry footing.

The problem is that our soil is so clay dense, that driving any machinery up to the coop to remove that tree branch is inconceivable until we have some dry days. If equipment doesn’t get stuck, it will leave huge ruts and tracks that will stay there for the next 12 months.

So, we wait for sunny days and drier weather, and in the meantime try to keep everyone as dry as possible.