How to Maintain Clean Chicken Coops All Year Round

Keeping coops clean can be very hectic, because it is not just about keeping the space clean but also about making sure it is healthy and clear of any risky bacteria that might hurt your flock’s health and life. It is about keeping your flocks clean, away from pests, bacteria and life-threatening diseases. So you see why it can be such a difficult job. And it gets even worse when the weather changes.

The rainy season can be one of the worst. It can be not just difficult but utterly impossible to clean chicken coops during these times. But that’s why this blog exists! In this blog, we shall see techniques that you can implement to keep your coops clean and your flocks healthy all year round.

1. Regular Cleaning Routine: Don’t Skip It

Consistency is the key to keeping the coops clean. Make it part of your weekly routine to clean the chicken coop. Every week, you have to remove the old bedding and replace it with new one, you have to scrub the flooring and make sure the nesting boxes are clean and fresh for the chickens to lay eggs.

But weekly clean up won’t ensure a clean environment; there are some tasks, such as cleaning the droppings, that have to be done daily. If you wait for a week, the smell of the coop will make it unbearable to even try cleaning it. So, make it a part of your daily routine to clean the coops for the chicken’s droppings.

2. Keep a Cleaning Kit Ready

And now, by cleaning kit does not necessarily refer to a disinfectant spray. You would need a shovel, a broom, gloves, with a mild disinfectant handy. And, incidentally, keep in mind that chickens are an extremely sensitive bird, so avoid using strong disinfectant spray for coop cleaning, or else it could end up being damaging to your flock’s health.

Here’s a pro-tip: The best disinfectant to use for your coop cleaning is water and gentle vinegar. It is a natural disinfectant with very less effect on the health of your hens and chickens.

3. Use Deep Litter Method for Bedding

One of the best ways to save time and clean your coops is by using the deep litter method for your bedding. Now, you might be wondering what the deep litter method is. Well, let me explain. When you make a bedding, it is usually made from straws or pine shavings. For the deep litter method, you basically turn over the bedding every few days and add additional bedding as needed, every once in a while.

What this does is that it allows the bedding to compost naturally and reduces the dirty, ammonic smell from the coop. And it also gives a warmer and comfortable surface to your chickens. If you follow this technique, make sure you replace the bedding at least twice or thrice every year.

4. Clean and Maintain Feeders and Waterers

Your feeders and waterers can get dirty very easily and quite fast. This can lead to bacteria building up, which will affect the health of your flocks. For this, you need to make sure you clean both daily, to keep them as clean as possible.

You must empty the feeder daily and scrub it with a brush to remove any dirt or feed left stuck in it. And make a point of emptying the feeder every day, without missing it.

As for the waterer, replace the water daily. You can clean the waterer on a weekly basis, but make sure it doesn’t have algae growing in or on it. A good scrub and daily water replacement can make sure algae does not appear and your flock drinks fresh and clean water.

5. Seasonal Deep Cleaning

At least twice a year, preferrably in spring or fall, perform a deep clean of your coop. During this deep cleaning, remove all the bedding, scrub the entire coop thoroughly, and use water and mild cleaner to clean the smallest of points. Let it dry out and cool down before replacing the bedding and filling the waterers and feeders.

You can also use this time to take a careful look at the coop. Check if any repair work is needed, a sign of wear, or any sort of damage, such as broken latches, loose boards, or cracked roofs. Repair them immediately to keep the coops safe.

In conclusion, cleaning your chicken coops shouldn’t be a struggle if you perform it with the right planning.. By following a consistent cleaning routine, using the right bedding, keeping pests at bay, and performing a deep clean twice a year, you can provide a healthy, comfortable space for your chickens. Clean coops mean happy, productive chickens, and that’s something every backyard chicken owner can achieve.