Step-by-Step Chicken Coop Cleaning Process for Healthy Hens
We all know that keeping a clean and well-maintained chicken coop is essential for the health and happiness of your feathered friends. Sometimes the organization or process can be daunting if you’re not equipped for the task, so I hope to be able to help walk you through the process. I’ve also linked a video above on this whole process if you’re a visual learner! Below I’ll walk you through a step-by-step process to efficiently clean your chicken coop. By following these guidelines, you can create a clean and hygienic environment that promotes the well-being of your chickens.
Step 1: I begin the cleaning process by removing all the old large pine flakes from my chicken coop. I also keep a laminate floor in my coop, as it prevents any urine or feces from seeping into the flooring, maintaining the coop's integrity.
Step 2: Applying essential products to effectively sanitize your coop is important and I recommend using three key products: diatomaceous earth, First Saturday Lime, and Sweet PDZ coop refresher. here's a breakdown of their uses:
Diatomaceous Earth: Diatomaceous earth is a natural, powdery substance composed of fossilized diatoms. It serves multiple purposes when applied to your coop. Firstly, it acts as a natural insecticide, helping to control pests like mites, lice, and fleas that may affect your chickens. Additionally, diatomaceous earth absorbs moisture, reducing odor and maintaining a dry environment.
First Saturday Lime: First Saturday Lime is an eco-friendly product that provides numerous benefits for your chicken coop. Lime helps control pests and parasites while also acting as a natural disinfectant. It assists in neutralizing odors, drying out the coop, and creating a less hospitable environment for bacteria and insects.
Sweet PDZ Coop Refresher: Sweet PDZ coop refresher is a zeolite-based product known for its odor-neutralizing properties. It effectively absorbs and eliminates ammonia odors, which can be harmful to your chickens' respiratory health. By using Sweet PDZ, you can maintain a fresher and more pleasant-smelling coop.
Spread these products generously over the coop floor, walls, and nesting boxes, ensuring thorough coverage. I pretty much just chuck it everywhere as you’ll see in the video!
Step 3: It's time to lay down fresh bedding. Depending on the season and flock size, you can adjust the amount of bedding for insulation and comfort purposes. In the summer, one bag of pine flakes should suffice for a flock under ten, while in the winter, consider using up to three bags to provide extra insulation and warmth.
Step 4: Cleaning the chicken run is next and you’ll start by removing all items present within the run. If you maintain a dirt floor run, shovel out the top layer of debris, such as feathers, droppings, and leftover feed. Once cleared, use a rake to thoroughly clean the run, ensuring it is free of any loose material.
If your run has a dirt floor, addressing moisture concerns is essential, especially if it is not covered. During extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow, add a bag or two of horse stall pellets to absorb excess moisture effectively. Horse stall pellets are designed to absorb liquid and can help maintain a drier run environment for your chickens.
Step 5: Dust Bathing and Your Coop Perimeter: To facilitate your chickens' natural dust bathing behavior, have an area or two for them to dust bathe. You can use every day available items such as soil and sand. You can also use Diatomaceous Earth or wood ash too. Since we have a wood stove, we save all of our ash throughout the fall and winter in a large metal trash can. We take a few five-gallon buckets of wood ash to specific areas in the run where they like to dust bathe. Wood ash acts as a natural pest deterrent and helps keep mites and other insects at bay. It also aids in controlling odors and adds essential minerals to the chickens' dust bathing routine.
Additionally, dust the perimeter of the coop with First Saturday Lime to create a barrier against pests and to discourage them from approaching the coop.
Step 6: Reassembling the run and watering once the coop and run are clean.
With a clean and well-maintained chicken coop, you'll be rewarded with happy and healthy hens that will lay eggs and thrive in a good environment. Regular cleaning reduces the risk of pests and diseases: Cleaning your coop and run regularly helps prevent the buildup of bacteria, pests, and parasites that can harm your chickens and cause diseases. It also reduces the chances of attracting rodents and other unwanted critters.
-Sarah