How and When to Clean a Backyard Chicken Coop: A Step-by-Step Guide

Keeping your backyard chicken coop clean is essential for maintaining a healthy and happy flock. Regular cleaning helps prevent disease, reduces bad odors, and ensures that your chickens have a comfortable environment to live in. Whether you’re new to chicken keeping or a seasoned pro, this guide will walk you through how to properly clean your coop.

Why Clean Your Chicken Coop?

Chickens produce a lot of waste, and their bedding can quickly become soiled. Over time, this can lead to harmful ammonia buildup, attracting pests and fostering bacteria that can cause illness in your chickens. Regular coop cleaning is a preventive measure that keeps your flock healthy and your backyard pleasant.

How Often Should You Clean?

The frequency of cleaning depends on the size of your coop and the number of chickens you have. On average, you should:

• Spot-clean weekly: Remove droppings and replace dirty bedding.
• Deep-clean every 1-3 months: Remove all bedding, scrub surfaces, and thoroughly disinfect.

For smaller coops or densely populated ones, you may need to clean more frequently. Larger coops with fewer chickens can often go a bit longer between deep cleans.

What You’ll Need:

• Protective gear: Gloves, a dust mask, and old clothes
• Shovel or scraper: To remove droppings and bedding
• Broom and dustpan: For sweeping
• Hose or pressure washer: For rinsing surfaces
• Scrub brush: To scrub perches and walls
• Non-toxic cleaner: Vinegar and water mixture works well, or a poultry-safe disinfectant
• Fresh bedding: Straw, wood shavings, or sand, depending on your preference

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

1. Prepare the Area Before cleaning, make sure your chickens are safely outside in a run or a temporary enclosure. This allows you to clean thoroughly without disturbing them.
2. Remove Old Bedding Start by scooping out all of the old bedding from the floor, nesting boxes, and any corners where it may have accumulated. Use a shovel or scraper to remove stubborn clumps of droppings. If your coop has a dropping tray, remove it and empty the waste.
3. Dust and Sweep Using a broom, sweep out the remaining debris, dust, and feathers from the coop. Make sure to clean out hard-to-reach areas such as corners, under perches, and in cracks where mites and other pests may hide.
4. Scrub Surfaces Fill a bucket with a solution of warm water and white vinegar (or a poultry-safe cleaner). Using a scrub brush, thoroughly clean the perches, walls, and any other surfaces your chickens come into contact with. Pay special attention to areas with a heavy buildup of droppings, as these are breeding grounds for bacteria.For stubborn dirt, a hose or pressure washer can be helpful, but be careful not to soak any wood excessively, as this can lead to mold growth.
5. Rinse and Dry After scrubbing, rinse all surfaces with clean water and let the coop air out. It’s important that the coop dries completely before adding fresh bedding to prevent mold and mildew from developing.
6. Disinfect and Deodorize Once the coop is dry, spray down surfaces with a poultry-safe disinfectant or a vinegar solution to eliminate any lingering germs. For added freshness, sprinkle a layer of diatomaceous earth or baking soda on the floor before adding new bedding. This helps absorb moisture and control odors.
7. Replace Bedding Add fresh bedding to the floor, nesting boxes, and any areas where your chickens roost. Wood shavings and straw are popular options, but some chicken keepers prefer sand for its ease of cleaning and odor control.
8. Check Feeders and Waterers While you’re cleaning the coop, take a moment to wash your chickens’ feeders and waterers. Scrub them thoroughly with soap and water, and refill them with fresh feed and clean water.
9. Inspect the Coop for Repairs As you clean, inspect your coop for any signs of wear or damage. Check for broken boards, loose screws, or any gaps where predators might get in. Repairing these issues promptly ensures your chickens stay safe and secure.

Helpful Tips:

• Use a Deep Litter Method: If you’re looking for a way to reduce how often you clean, consider the deep litter method. By allowing the bedding to compost over time, you only need to remove droppings occasionally, and a full deep-clean is required less frequently.
• Keep a Cleaning Routine: Creating a schedule for regular cleaning helps prevent the buildup of waste and keeps your coop manageable. Spot-clean weekly, and deep-clean every few months.
• Choose the Right Bedding: Different bedding materials offer different benefits. Wood shavings are absorbent and control odors well, while straw is a good insulator. Sand can be scooped like cat litter for easy cleaning.

Conclusion

A clean chicken coop is key to a healthy flock. By following this guide and establishing a regular cleaning routine, you’ll keep your chickens happy, healthy, and comfortable. Plus, your coop will stay fresh and inviting for you as well!

Happy cleaning! 🐔