I was recently asked “how often do you clean out the chicken coop?”
Well, the answer can vary, depending on:
- how many chickens you have
- where the nesting boxes are compared to the roost area
- how much time the chickens spend inside the coop
- where do you keep their food and water
- the time of year (think winter deep layering method)
Although not on a scheduled cleaning routine, I tend to clean our coop ‘as needed’. I check the coop daily and fluff the straw or add new, as needed.
When we designed our coop, we made sure that the nesting boxes were not located directly under the roosts. Most poo dropping appear directly under the roosting areas. If that’s where the nesting boxes are then that area will continually be soiled and the eggs laid in those boxes will tend to be soiled also.
Our chickens spend most of their time outside. They typically go inside to roost and lay their eggs. We do not put food or water inside the coop. Even in the winter, the chicken’s food and water are located outside the coop. Keeping these containers out of the coop helps to keep insects, predators, and even unnecessary moisture out of the coop, hence creating an overall healthier environment for our ladies.
During the first two years of having our first flock of chickens, I will admit that I did not ‘deep clean’ the coop at all. But, before we implemented the flock rotation, I did a thorough deep clean. I used things I had on hand, no harsh chemicals.
Here’s a break down of what I did:
- I cleaned out all of the straw
- I swept everything – ceiling, walls, floors
- I scraped where it was needed – roosts, walls, floors
- I used a mixture of (equal parts) water and vinegar to help loosen what need extra scraping
- I used the water/vinegar mixture to spray everywhere inside the coop
- I left the door open to the coop, airing it out for 24 hours
- I added new straw
Then I added my new flock of chickens, who quickly got to work making it their ‘own’ by scratching the straw around to just the way they liked it.
9 Comments
I’ve had 2 welsummers broody for 3 weeks now. Won’t eat or drink % they are thin & smelly. Keep putting them out of coop but they come back in. Giving up on them. ???
Is there any one type of vinegar better than another or will it matter.
Todd. I use distilled vinagar. But the apple cider vinagar would do. I spray it in the house after I clean at least twice a week. More often in warm weather.
My chickens were tested at the diagnostic lab as I had an old sick hen. She had cocidia plus worms then another hen got sick and the same problem. Took her also to the lab then the vet and flock being treated for cocidia and worms. 5 days med in water for cocidia then 10 days worm treatment for worms. Books say don’t use eggs for 15 days, vet says 60 days as no proof of necessary time. What should I do?
Virginia,
Because you went to a vet, I personally would go with his recommendation.
My husband made me a “litter box” under the roost area. I just take the litter box out of the” clean out door ” and throw the straw away in my bucket (to b added to my compost) and clean it out wuth vinagar. Then sweep and mop the Linolium floor( 8’x6′) and put litter box back with fresh straw. And ready to go for a few more days.
Helen,
I like the idea of your litter box! I have been thinking of something similar to add to our coop, as we have added more chickens.
Can you help me? I cleaned out the coop 2 weeks ago and now get only one egg a day. It’s also half eaten! I was getting 3 to 5 a day before the cleaning. What should I do?
Lori,
It doesn’t make sense that cleaning the coop would have anything to do with decreased egg laying. Could there possibly be a small predator in the coop or a way for a small predator to get in the coop and be eating the eggs?