Chickens need a clean house.It's important to consider the size of your flock when cleaning your chicken house.It's important to choose the right tools and materials for the job.Think about your own health, too, and invest in some gloves and a face mask, as well as practice basic hygiene when cleaning the coop.People and chickens are at risk of illness.
Step 1: Clean the boards.
There are pieces of wood below the chicken roosts.Chicken droppings are deposited overnight.You should clean them every morning.The amount of time the feces spend on the board should be minimized.If you want to clean the dropping boards, you need disposable gloves and a taping knife.If you want to dump the pail on your compost pile, you can take each board directly into your compose pile.If you see poop on the roosts, you can clean it with a taping knife.
Step 2: Take a look at the condition of your bedding.
You should dispose of the bedding if it smells bad.It is possible to compost your used chicken coop bedding.If your bedding is free of odors and looks good, you can set it out in the sun and it will naturally dry.The sun will killbacteria and mold.You should clean your bedding every morning.
Step 3: The bedding needs to be replaced.
Fresh, clean bedding should be added to the coop.If you just took the old bedding out and let it dry, put it back in the house.
Step 4: Take a look at the boxes.
The bedding in your boxes should be checked each morning.If you have dirty straw or pine shavings, replace them.As needed, add new bedding.If you want to keep your boxes clean, make sure they are located at a lower height than your roosts.If you don't, your chickens will roost in the boxes.Do not position the boxes below the roosts.
Step 5: The chickens need to be removed from the house.
If your chickens are free-range, keep them outside.Put them in a shed or garage if they are not.Chickens cannot fly, so you shouldn't worry about them escaping.Chickens are less likely to fly off if their wings are clipped.You should be fine if you keep the gate closed.If you have time, you can get your chickens out of their cages.If you have a partner, you could ask them to clean the chickens while you work.
Step 6: Take everything out of the floor.
All of the dirt should be raked or shoveled.The tools and items should be taken away.If you want to keep your roost, you should remove it and wipe it down with a household cleaner.If you missed anything after taking out the bedding and other items, go back over the floor with a broom and sweep it out.The ceiling should be checked at this point.If you see anything, use your broom to remove it.
Step 7: Take the floor down.
Once the bedding and other materials have been removed, turn a high-powered hose on the floor to wash it out.You don't need a power washer.If you want to make sure you apply water to the entire surface, you need to point the hose toward the floor and move it in a back-and-forth motion.Any dirt that is attached to the floor will be softened by the water.If you want to remove them, go back over them with a paint scraper.The water should be allowed to drain a bit.The rest of the water should be mopped up if you have a poor drain.
Step 8: Put your cleaner in.
Give the floor a good scrubbing by spraying or smooshing your cleaner across the surface.If you see spots of blood, you can spray it on the walls.Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the areas you want to clean.The doors and windows should be opened to let the water out.If the cleaner isn't draining out properly, use a mop.
Step 9: Diatomaceous earth can be applied to the floor.
DE is a powder made of diatoms and is used to prevent the spread of ticks, fleas, mites, and other pests.Sprinkle some DE on the floor of your coop after it has been dry and clean of feeders, boxes, and other objects.The amount you need depends on the size of your chicken house.If you have a large rooster, use a lot.If you have a small coop, use less.You can sprinkle the DE with a small spoon if you shake your hand back and forth over the floor and scoop some up.You could use a duster to apply the DE.A duster sprays the DE when squeezed, and is useful for getting it deep in the cracks and crevices.You should use food grade DE.Don't inhale the DE.It can cause inflammation of the lungs.
Step 10: New bedding needs to be put down.
The process of making a chicken home will be completed with new bedding.If you want to dry the old bedding in the sun, you can bring it back in and replace it on the floor.
Step 11: Send your birds back in.
You can put the rest of the items you removed back inside after you've added the bedding.If needed, refill the food and water.Bring your chickens inside.
Step 12: It's a good idea to decide when to clean your house.
A full-coop cleaning can occur at various intervals, while certain maintenance tasks like checking the boxes, dropping boards, and bedding should be checked each day.How often you clean your chicken house depends on how many you have and how big your house is.If you have a lot of chickens in a small space, you should clean your coop more often.If you have a lot of chickens in a big rooster, you can clean it less often.If you detect a foul smell, it's time for a serious cleaning.When it comes to deciding whether or not your chicken needs to be cleaned, always make sure to stick to the side of clean.Some chickens can be cleaned as few as three times a year, while others need cleaning every two weeks.Before housing a new flock, clean out your coop.
Step 13: Wear gloves that are disposable.
Cleaning the chicken coop can be dirty.The chances of touching something are reduced by wearing disposable gloves.This will keep your hands clean, but it can reduce your risk of contracting diseases like Salmonella.Most gardening and housing supply stores have disposable gloves.As gloves are thrown away after use, it's important to use disposable gloves.New gloves should be put on if they become punctured.Remove your gloves and wash your hands with soap.
Step 14: A pair of shoes is needed for cleaning.
You already have a pair of shoes that you wear when cleaning the chicken coop.Pick your rattiest pair of sneakers and use them only when cleaning the chicken coop if you don't.Before entering your house, remove the shoes.If you put this in place, you won't be able to track the chicken mess into your home.
Step 15: A face mask is required.
Chickens can collect dust that you don't want to breathe in.The problem is compounded if the chicken house is mostly enclosed.No matter what type of chicken house you have, you should always wear a face mask.Ear loop masks of the variety worn by doctors tend to be the most comfortable, and effectively cover both mouth and nose.Provide adequate air flow for your chicken coop.
Step 16: It's a good idea to dress down when cleaning your chicken house.
You don't have to worry about messing up when cleaning your chicken house if you wear old shirts and tattered jeans.Since you might be kneeling or brushing against the inside of the chicken house, you should not wear clothes that are gross.Change into something clean after you have finished cleaning the chicken house.You should wash your clothes as soon as possible.
Step 17: You can use a cleaner.
There are many people who clean chickens.Only cleaners that are free of ingredients like bleach and creosote can be used.Don't use aerosol sprays as well.Try to find a cleaner with a pleasant smell.You could choose a cleaner from your local farm supply store, or you could use a household cleaner.Toxic fumes and irritation to the lungs and eyes can be created by mixing bleach and ammonia.
Step 18: You can make your own solution.
There are many different types of homemade coop cleaner, all of which have the same ingredients.You can easily create a lavender-mint cleaning agent by mixing half a handful of fresh mint,half a bunch of lavender leaves and flowers, and half of a vertically-sliced vanilla bean in a standard-size mason jar of white vinegar.Stop when the jar is 1/2 inch from the top.Shake the jar three times a day for three to four weeks.If you want to make a spray bottle out of the leaves and bean, strain them out and pour the mix into a bottle.A basic recipe calls for an equal mix of water and white vinegar.
Step 19: A combination of cleaning products can be used.
Don't feel like you have to use only one cleaning agent.Different cleaning agents have different strengths.One cleaner might do well against poop on the floor, while another might be better against dirt and mud.Try different cleaners in order to find the best one.