How to Properly Clean a Chicken Coop

You want your chickens to be comfortable and healthy in their home. That’s why it’s so important to keep a clean, hygienic coop for your birds to live, rest, and play in. This will not only keep your flock healthy and free of diseases, but also keep the area where you care for your chickens and collect eggs every day pleasant. If you plan on keeping chickens of your own, make sure you pay attention to these steps for how to properly clean a chicken coop.

CLEAN OUT DEBRIS

The first step to cleaning out your coop is to remove as much debris as possible. Shovel out used bedding, manure, feathers, and other remnants that a flock leaves behind. Hard-edged tools, such as a paint scraper or square shovel, work best against the more stubborn messes. Make sure you’re thorough—the more you get rid of now, the easier the rest of the process will be.

RINSE (AND REPEAT)

Once the coop is clear of bedding and other debris, spray down the coop with a hose. You can also use a sponge and chicken-safe disinfectant to scrub down the leftover stains throughout your coop. Keep an eye out for mold or leftover litter, which can hide from a general hose-down. Once you rinse off the coop and the last of the disinfectant, let the space dry out completely. You can take this time to clean other coop equipment, such as the feeders, waterers, and nesting boxes. Repeat this process as many times as necessary to give your birds a fresh, clean home again.

LAY FRESH BEDDING

Once your entire coop and all its equipment are clean and dry, it’s time to lay down fresh bedding for your flock. Be sure to fill your nesting boxes with new, clean chicken nesting pads as well. Now your hens have a clean, dry space to lay their eggs and spend the rest of their days.

Now that you know how to properly clean a chicken coop, it’s time to put your skills to good use. Stromberg’s has everything you need to set up and maintain a healthy, happy flock of hens. Get started in your own backyard chicken-keeping career with our stock of coop supplies, chicken-keeping equipment, hatching eggs, and more.

What are your tips for cleaning coops? Share with your fellow chicken-keepers in the comments below!