The Ultimate Guide to Raising Backyard Chickens and Keeping a Clean Chicken Coop

As a chicken enthusiast, you know that raising backyard chickens comes with a host of benefits, such as providing fresh eggs, reducing food waste, and offering natural pest control. However, it's essential to maintain a clean chicken coop to ensure the health and happiness of your feathered friends. In this blog, we'll share clean chicken coop ideas and the best way to keep your chicken coop clean to help your backyard flock thrive.

Daily, Weekly, and Seasonal Cleaning Routines

Part 1: Daily Tasks

 

Empty leftover food and water from the chicken coop every night after your chickens settle in.

Collect freshly laid eggs every day.

Remember: Leaving food scraps out at night can easily attract predators such as rodents to your chicken coop.

 

Part 2: Weekly Care

 

Change the bedding.

Wash feeders and waterers.

Inspect for holes and leaks.

 

Part 3: Deep Cleaning

 

Perform a full deep clean of your chicken coop at least twice a year. If you have a large flock of hens, you can deep clean your coop once a year.

10 Steps to a Clean and Healthy Chicken Coop

Follow these steps for the best way to keep your chicken coop clean and your backyard chickens happy and healthy.

 

Step 1: Wear protective gear like gloves, masks, and boots to keep yourself safe from germs and bacteria while cleaning.

 

Step 2: Move your chickens to another enclosure or let them out in the chicken run to keep them safe while you clean.

 

Step 3: Remove everything from the chicken coop, including feeders, waterers, and nesting boxes. Mix equal parts of water and vinegar to wipe down waterers and feeders.

 

Step 4: Use shovels and brooms to scrape out chicken manure, dirt, dust, and loose feathers. Try to remove as much of the waste from the floors and walls as possible.

 

Step 5: Hose down the chicken coop, removing any remaining debris, dirt, and feces.

 

Step 6: Disinfect the chicken coop without using bleach, which is toxic to your chickens. Create a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts of vinegar and water, and use this to wipe down hard surfaces inside the coop.

 

Step 7: Spray down the coop again after disinfection, ensuring you sweep away all remaining waste.

 

Step 8: Remove stagnant water and open the automatic chicken door and windows to dry the coop. Use towels and a mop to expedite the drying process.

 

Step 9: Once the chicken coop is completely dry, lay down new, fresh bedding.

 

Step 10: Move your chickens back into their clean, fresh coop and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done!

By following these clean chicken coop ideas and maintaining a regular cleaning schedule, you'll create a comfortable and enjoyable environment for your backyard chickens. In return, they'll reward you with high-quality fresh eggs and endless entertainment. Happy chicken raising!